Debian is a freely available operating system, currently built around on the Linux kernel, that achieves flexibility by adhering to standard POSIX interfaces. And because Debian is kernel independent, the Hurd -- a collection of servers that run on top of the microkernel -- can also be used with the Debian distribution.
Even though UNIX and Win32 are the most common desktop operating systems around, applications written for one platform usually do not work on the other. Abdul ports a load-balancing application first from Sun OS to Linux, then from Linux to Win32.
The Microsoft Content Index is a search engine integrated into Windows 2000. Bartosz, who was on the Content Index design and implementation team, describes its requirement set, design principles, and technical details.
MiniRTL, short for "Minimum Real-time Linux," is a real-time Linux implementation that fits on a single floppy disk.
Steve presents CVListCtrl, a class that works in conjunction with the Win32 listview control to provide a virtual list implementation. Unlike normal lists, a virtual list only contains a handful of visible items at any one time.
The Find-By-Content engine that's part of the MacOS is a system-level search facility that you can embed in your applications.
Deadlock can occur when a number of consumers (typically threads) access a set of resources in an unacceptable pattern. To combat it, John presents a solution based on run-time lock analysis that analyzes all transactions.
Wietse investigates the topic of file recovery by reconstructing past behavior and examining deleted file access time patterns and other attributes.
The Digita operating system from Flashpoint is designed for digital cameras. It supports all the basic camera features (including a GUI), and lets you extend the functionality of devices through scripts and applications.
Debugging applications developed to run under real-time operating systems can be difficult, but making debuggers "operating-system aware" can ease the process.
Laura presents a POP3 implementation written in C++ that you can use for your POP3 client or library to handle SMTP or FTP or some other well-known Internet protocol.
Inferno is a distributed OS for networked devices and Internet appliances, and applications for it are written in a programming language called "Limbo."
In addition to taking a look at Apple's public beta of its MacOS X operating system, Michael shares some thoughts about Jef Raskin's The Humane Interface and James Burke's The Knowledge Web.
While customizing Quincy 2000's Print dialogs isn't necessarily a day at the beach, it is still a boat load of fun.
String searching is a basic operation for just about any application. Alexandre presents a small class that uses regular expressions to add powerful string search capabilities to Java.
If you need fast searching capabilities, AVL trees might just be what you're looking for.
Genetics, protein networks, and a Russian physicist are among the challenges Ecco and Liane face this month.
Lou takes a look at Tom Swan's GNU C++ for Linux, by (you guessed it) Tom Swan, while Jacques examines Scott Ambler's Process Patterns: Building Large Scale Systems Using Object Technology.