For the last few years we've been intrigued by the progress of ReactOS, a free software Windows implementation that could one day give Microsoft the chills. Well, ReactOS 0.3.9 is now here, with major performance improvements.

Brilliant Brainstorms is a (usually) weekly summary of some of the best/most interesting brainstorms from the Ubuntu Brainstorm site as well as various other Brainstorm-style sites: warning users of poor performance of Live CDs; making Ubuntu Brainstorm work in IE; take advantage of the new notification system for notes; and assigning priorities to WiFi networks.

Apple has convinced millions that they can make the switch from Windows to OS X, but those curious about Linux have to see for themselves if they can work or play on a free desktop. The short answer is that, for most halfway tech-savvy people who aren't hardcore gamers, yes, you can.

With threats like Conficker fresh in the public's mind, security remains a top concern for Windows users. Panda Security, publishers of Panda Internet Security and Panda Antivirus, is set to take antivirus where it hasn't been yet: into the clouds. Panda Cloud Antivirus beta bets that nearly three years of development can pay off into a better protection system for users.

Dedicated to those who like order over chaos, to those who like simplicity over complexity, to those who think that less is more, to those that just want more for less.

I have been recently been looking into desktop managers other than Gnome and KDE. Fortunately, with Ubuntu (and probably others) it is relatively easy to download and install several such desktop managers, and then choose between them on login.

Ubuntu Linux isn't just an operating system -- it's an ecosystem. Here is a quick guide to help you wind your way through this desktop jungle.