OStatic

A new beta version of Skype for Linux has been released and includes a slew of new features that Linux users have been waiting for a long time. There are also a few tweaks and UI changes that will make using Skype on Linux a better overall experience for anyone who uses this popular client to make calls via their computer.

Here's a list of all the new features and some of the improvements you'll find in Skype version 2.1.0.47 for Linux:

A tool used to measure the traffic risks of ships at sea in the Mediterranean is about be released as open source software and could have far-reaching implications for vessels across the globe. The Safemed Project, funded by the European Union, provides raw data on the movement of ships -- oil tankers in particular -- that are sailing around the Mediterranean Sea in an effort to track and prevent water pollution.

The project will soon be released under the European Union Public Licence (EUPL) and freely available for anyone to use. The Safemed system is on-line, and we are not looking for code contributions. But ideas and comments are always welcome, says project officer Albert Bergonzo.

The open source image manipulation program, GIMP, released an unstable development version of its next stable release. Obviously, this isn't a version you'll want if you need a reliable app that won't interfere with your workflow. If, however, you want to peek under the hood to see what's coming, then grab this download and have a look.

Here are just a few of GIMP's upcoming changes and improvements:

Popfly, a platform developed by Microsoft to help people create and share games with their friends, was shut down this week, according to a blog post on the project's Web site. It's not a total loss to the gaming community, however, since Microsoft decided to open source the code and host it on CodePlex for anyone who still wants to tinker with the game engine.

Popfly team member John Montgomery writes, Unfortunately, on August 24, 2009 the Popfly service will be discontinued and all sites, references, and resources will be taken down. At that time, your access to your Popfly account, including any games and mashups that you have created, will be discontinued. However, Microsoft is still very much dedicated to helping you express your creativity and pursuing a path to software development and offers multiple products to help along the way.

A while back, I extolled the virtues of open source IRC client Colloquy for the Mac. Now I'm happy to report there's an equally terrific counterpart for the iPhone. Colloquy for iPhone puts IRC functionality right on your Apple mobile device so you're no longer tied to your desk when you want to stay logged into your favorite IRC channels.

Colloquy for iPhone has many standard features you'd expect: Highlight and vibrating nick alerts, WHOIS information for any user, searchable room member list, and support for all common IRC commands. But wait, there's more.

I'm not sure why someone would need this clock on their nightstand instead of, say, the Chumby but this gets an A-plus for open source geekery. The Ice Tube Clock kit, sold by Adafruit Industries, comes with everything you need to build a neat digital clock that glows blue and is made with a retro Russian vacuum fluorescent tube. If you're feeling really sure of your engineering skills, forget the kit and just buy the two PCBs without the rest of the components, then pull the schematics off the project's Web site.

The clock kit ships with a power supply, backup battery, a clear acrylic enclosure, and all the parts you need to get the clock ticking in no time. Although everything you need to know about building the timepiece is available online, you may need some soldering skills to put the entire contraption together.

Everyone's favorite multi-platform instant messaging client, Pidgin, got a major update last week that includes support for voice and video. Pidgin 2.6.1 also includes more than 200 bugfixes and patches, plus a few additional new features that may not be as sexy as voice and video but are still great to have.

Other cool new features include:

Landline phone service is so last week, but many people don't want to use up huge chunks of cell phone minutes while chatting with friends or dialing into conference calls. Using your computer and a headset to make calls via VoIP seems like a no brainer and there are several applications to choose from that run really well on Linux and are great for personal or small business use. Let's take a look at a few.

Skype for Linux - When it comes to making calls over a computer connection, Skype is probably the first VoIP service that springs to mind for most people. Skype for Linux lets users make audio and video calls to other users anywhere in the word for free, and to cell phones and land lines for a very low price. Set up group chats with up to 150 people or manage a conference call with 25 people. One thing to note: Although the Skype software runs on Linux, it is not an open source app.

It's that time again. Youngsters are polishing apples for the teacher, parents are buying school supplies, and university students are wincing at the high cost of textbooks. Fortunately, there are several free open source computer- and Web-based applications students can use for everything from note-taking to scheduling classes projects. These apps won't do your homework for you, but they'll take the sting out of getting it done.

Task Coach - Set tasks to alert or reoccur, sort by attribute, view by list or as a tree, and more. You can also drag and drop emails from Thunderbird to create a new task, and add files, emails, and URLs as attachments. Task Coach is even small enough to be transported on a thumb drive.

No one doubts the importance of childhood literacy so finding help for young readers is vital. Unfortunately, teachers and school districts don't typically have a lot of cash to buy expensive tutoring and reading materials for early learners. FreeReading is a Web-based, open source, no-cost free reading intervention program designed to help students from kindergarten to third grade strengthen their literacy skills.

Sponsored by the University of Minnesota, Wireless Generation, and Primary Concepts, the goal of the site is to offer an alternative to many of the expensive tools and textbooks so that schools and districts can redirect textbook funds to other valuable, highly-impactful components of education. Whether those options include professional development, technology, formative assessment or something else, FreeReading provides an opportunity for districts to rethink the return on their education investment dollars.