About-information from developer profiles, desktop searches in online forums, an interface library and update notification of web page content bring the concept of a social desktop a step closer to reality.

The now released test version of openSUSE 11.2 is to be the last beta. The first release candidate will appear mid-October.

Like openSUSE, the Ubuntu project has released its first beta version of Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala). The final version should appear October 29.

The Gentoo project is celebrating its tenth anniversary, which inspired the Gentoo-Ten team to produce a special DVD that is now available in a test version.

Moblin 2.0 is officially ready for download and provides new services for mobile devices with Moblin Garage and Application Installer.

GNOME 2.28 provides a few new features and improvements to well-known functions and components. So the GNOME Epiphany browser now uses the sleak WebKit that makes apps such as Google Chrome work faster.

The first netbooks with Moblin pre-installed come from Dell. The first Mini 10v system is already available and image files ready for download.

IBM has joined Canonical to market Ubuntu-based netbooks with IBM's Smart Work applications in emerging world markets. Africa is the beginning.