GeekNewz is reporting that you will be able to download your free version of LindowsOS 4.5 today.

"LindowsOS is the leading Linux operating system designed specifically for the desktop and laptop. To let you try the amazing power of Linux on your desktop, you can get a free copy of LindowsOS 4.5, courtesy of Google, a $59.95 value! But hurry, the below Coupon Code is for TODAY ONLY! "

KDE Project has released KOffice 1.3 for Linux & Unix operating systems. KOffice is set of office applications greatly integrated with KDE desktop. KOffice is a light-weight yet feature rich office solution and provides a variety of filters to interoperate with other popular office suites such as OpenOffice.org and Microsoft Office.

Bitbenderforums has posted an article covering installing the linux dist "Slackware" so if you got an interrest beond redhat and mandrake - head over and read up.

How To: Installing Slackware Linux

"Slackware Linux is one of the oldest Linux distributions remaining. Over the years, it has stayed true to its roots and form. Slackware also provides an excellent environment for building your own software from sources. I could go on at length about why you should give Slackware an honest try but I'll let you follow this guide and see for yourself. We are going to be installing Slackware 9.1, which is the latest release at the time of writing."

Release notes: Linux Kernel 2.6.1 and 2.4.25pre6 Glibc 2.3.3 with NPTL support XFree86 4.4pre

Red Hat has released an official test release of Fedora Core 1 for AMD64

"Like the original x86 architecture release, the AMD64 architecture has three binary ISO images and three source ISO images. This is a single (we hope and intend) test release specifically to check hardware support; the package set is the same versions as an updated Fedora Core 1 for x86 system will have. "

linuxcompatible

LinuX-Gamers.net has translated version 2.0 of mic's ATI Readon How-To in English. Many people have been having problems installing the ATI drivers. The tutorial describes how to install the ATI driver under Linux. There are many changes like a new clear layout, enhancements and troubleshooting entries.

MandrakeSoft S.A. has released another pre-beta of Mandrake Linux 10.0, this time on 2 CDs.

Linuxcompatible

Linuxcompatible.org sends word that nVidia has released a new set of Linux drivers version 1.0-5328.

LinuxCompatible.org reports that Pasi Pirhonen has released an AMD64 version of White Box Enterprise Linux 3.0! Grab it Now.

MandrakeSoft S.A. has released a pre-beta of Mandrake Linux 10.0. The first beta release is planned for 01/01/2004.

New in this release:
Kernel 2.6, XFree 4.4, KDE 3.2, and GCC 3.3.2

LinuxCompatible Note: prebeta is early, but its nice to see kernel 2.6.0 already getting incorporated into a major distro.

White Box Enterprise Linux 3.0 is now available for immediate download via BitTorrent or ftp. Having gone through two widely downloaded Release Candidates with only minor problems detected, White Box is ready for prime time.

The final version of Linux kernel 2.6 code named ["Beaver out of box" by Linus trovalds"], has been released.I am downloading it now. And will compile / install on my fedora machine tonight. look in forums of tips to compile this kernel and screenshots of my linux box with 2.6. You can download it kernel 2.6 at kernel.org. For people who like discussions and more details can warp2 ... kerneltrap.org Update :- here is the changelog ChangeLog-2.6.0

Nice review at osnews.com on Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Server 3.0. Click here to read.

NetworWorldFusion reports that Novell has joined Linux consortium OSDL [Open Source Development Labs] which is a consortium of leading companies that are accelerating Linux adoption. It says , "Novell will participate in the Data Center Linux working group, which is focused on hardening Linux for use in the data center."

IBM has released a nine-part developer works series on its site for a Windows user to use/implement his skills on a Linux platform.
This is nothing more than a dummies crash course in Linux, where you will get to know ABCD of Linux. And something more. In short "Do not call yourself Linux guru after reading it" but you will no longer be a noob. From IBM:
"What's the kernel? Linux is actually just the kernel; it implements multitasking and multiuser functionality, manages hardware, allocates memory, and enables applications to run. For the beginner, probably the most important thing about the kernel that you need to remember is that odd-numbered kernel versions (in other words, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7) are the experimental, development kernel. Stable, release kernels carry even numbers (in other words, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8). " For a complete reading warp over to the Big Blues site here: IBM.

MEPIS Linux 2003.10.01 is now available for download

MEPIS Linux offers a live/installation/recovery CD, advanced automatic hardware configuration, XP/NTFS support, nVidia 3D drivers, ACPI power management, WiFi support, personal firewall, KDE 3.1.4, OpenOffice 1.1, Mozilla 1.5, and much more.

LinuxCompatible.org

Bluehawk has released a new release of his unofficial Mandrake Linux Cooker snapshot. 2003-12-09: release 6rc2 (*-r6.iso) update: mandrake-release (change of distrib name)

The Debian GNU/Linux 3.0r2 CD images are finally available

"This is the second update of Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 (codename `woody') which mainly adds security updates to the stable release, along with a few corrections of serious bugs. Those who frequently update from security.debian.org won't have to update many packages and most updates from security.debian.org are included in this update. "

LinuxCompatible

Release Candidate 2 of White Box Enterprise Linux 3.0 has been released.

This is the second, and hopefully final, Release Candidate for White Box Enterprise Linux 3.0. There are not many differences from RC1:

The 2.6 version of the Linux core is expected in December and will be much more stable on arrival than its predecessor, according to the programmer in charge of the software. The current test version, 2.6.0-test10, should be the last, and 2.6.0 itself will emerge by the end of the year "unless the wheels fall off in a serious manner," 2.6 overseer Andrew Morton said in an interview Tuesday. The 2.6 Linux core, called the kernel, brings major changes compared with the 2.4 version currently sold by companies such as Red Hat and SuSE Linux. One significant improvement is the ability to take advantage of the powerful servers with numerous processors, a market where Unix is popular today and which Microsoft also is trying to crack. "The 2.4 kernel really does begin to run out of steam at four or eight CPUs," Morton said. "With 2.6, I'd be surprised if there is anything preventing it from scaling to 32." More at CNet.