In this issue

Apache Site: www.apache.org/httpd
Release: 1.3.12 (Released 25^th February 2000) (local download sites)
Beta: None
Alpha: 2.0a2 (Released 31^st March 2000) (local download sites)

Apache 1.3.12 is the current stable release. Users of Apache 1.3.11 and earlier on Unix and Windows systems should upgrade to this version. Read the Guide to 1.3.12, the Guide to 1.3.11 for information about changes between 1.3.9 and 1.3.11 and the Guide to 1.3.9 for information about changes between 1.3.6 and 1.3.9.

A series of alpha releases of Apache 2.0 are being made available from the Apache site. This alpha has a number of additions and fixes since the first alpha released during ApacheCon 2000 but should still not be considered even beta-quality code.

Two extracts from the O'Reilly book "Apache: The Definitive Guide" are now available on the web. The first, Apache Under Windows covers installing an Apache binary under Windows and, for more adventurous souls, compiling from source. Securing Your Apache Server includes how to build, configure, and secure an SSL-enabled Apache server under Unix.

PC Week mention Apache being bundled with Solaris in Solaris 8 weds reliability to must-have upgrades. They go on to say that "neither PC Week Labs nor Sun recommends its use in high-transaction environments". Better not mention that to Amazon.com or the Financial Times then. Thankfully, people like PC Week themselves are running a stable web server

Apache Week reported in issue 180 on the attempt to solve the Elliptic Curve Challenge from Certicom. The solution was found at the end of March, and the Apache Software Foundation will receive a donation of US$8000 from the prize. More details of the challenge are available

The NetWare version of Apache is examined in a Network World Fusion Newsletter. Over the past few years Novell have shipped a couple of different Web servers with NetWare, but now Apache is available for this system.

This occasional section contains short announcements of jobs which require significant Apache experience. To see more jobs or find out how to submit your vacancy visit the Apache Week Jobs section, newly launched this week.

Chief Technology Officer (USA)

Wanted: Chief Technology Officer for pre-IPO provider of Open Source solutions. Experience leading Open Source development efforts and Apache installations. Contact: Scott Uhrig at scott.uhrig@tmpsearch.com.

C and Unix developers (USA)

Aventail seeks C and UNIX developers with previous Apache module development experience. Duties include Apache 1.3 and 2.0 module development, and proxy and cache development.

Senior Technologist (USA, NY)

NYC pre-IPO internet company seeks Apache/Solaris expert for full-time position involving system integration and administration. Compensation packages will go up to US$100k + options. Please contact Mike Chin at 212-687-7072 or at "michael.chin@rhic.com" for further info.

Apache Web Developer (USA)

The Tivoli Systems Web and Multimedia Development team is looking for a web developer with Apache, mod_perl or Perl experience. Based in Austin, Texas, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IBM with a great culture, including free soft drinks, Friday beer bashes and lots of fun.

Here at Apache Week we're always keen to know a little more about you so we can tailor the site to your needs. Please take a few minutes to enter the O'Reilly Network Survey. If the thought of having the site tailored specifically for your needs isn't exciting enough, there is a chance to win a prize if you complete the survey. Who said bribery never works?

Whether you were taken in by it or not, most people seem to have had a good giggle over the April Fool in last week's issue - our ApachePDA story. Thanks (for the laugh) to all those who mailed us in all seriousness begging to be added to the beta list, and a smug pat on the back for those who managed to see through the hype to reveal an editorial office of giggling pranksters.

The effect the story had was something we could never have imagined. Within minutes of Apache Week being published, an article had appeared on slashdot and our poor little Palm-powered web server was subjected to the slashdot effect - over 80 thousand hits in the first two hours - and survived. (Another tell tale sign all was not as it seemed!) The story snowballed beyond our expectations, leading to phone calls and emails from journalists and developers around the world interested in the story.

The "Apache Week Big Wet April Fish Spoilsport" award goes to The Register for the serious story about the uses ApachePDA could have, which was changed in a sudden save-face about turn when they realised the joke was on them. See the before and after screenshots in the ApachePDA section. Huge thanks to those publications who played along (or at least claim they saw the joke and played along with it!) and not least to the guys at Netcraft - in on the gag from the beginning - for their help in making it more believable.

But don't laugh for too long as there actually is a small web server for PalmOS as well as a port of Perl. More details on everything Palm can be found at PalmGear.com.