Google Performance Tools, part of Google's open source projects, is now available in version 1.0. Perf Tools is especially useful for optimizing multi-threaded programs.

The Shoreline Firewall product, also known as Shorewall, has arrived in its 4.2.4 version. The new release includes a configuration tool for IPv6 networks.

The Android OS from Google is optimized for ARM processors and smaller displays, but, with some adjustment, can also run on netbooks.

Internet Explorer is losing increasing numbers of users to Firefox. Google has added another blow by announcing the end of official support for IE 6.

The Ubuntu Community has laid its second alpha version of Ubuntu 9.04, alias Jaunty Jackalope, under the Christmas tree.

Bit9, self-professed leader in enterprise application whitelisting, recently included Mozilla's Firefox browser among "the Dirty Dozen" applications with critical security vulnerabilities. Mozilla's security expert Jonathan Nightingale disputes that critique.

Adobe recommends that Linux Flash Player users immediately upgrade to the newest versions.

BBC News announced the release of iPlayer for Mac and Linux. The BBC worked with Adobe to develop the new version, BBC iPlayer Desktop.

The Mozilla project has moved both branches of its Firefox browser to versions 2.0.0.19 and 3.0.5. The updates deal primarily with security issues.