In this issue

CNet Investor reported that Sun Microsystems have set up two executive committees to oversee their Java Community Process(SM) community-based Java technology development programmes. The first committee will oversee the Java technologies for the desktop/server space and the other will oversee the Java technologies for the consumer/embedded space.

The two committees are comprised of many well known names, and the Apache Software Foundation sits proud alongside high-profile companies such as Apple, Nokia, and Palm. The diversity of these groups will ensure that Java continues and strives to be developed as a platform-independent technology that can hold true to its promises. George Paolini, vice president of Java Community Development at Sun Microsystems, Inc. commented, "As is evident by the depth, diversity and strength of the JCP programmes Executive Committee members, the future of Java technology specifications is in capable and caring hands."

The press release is available from Sun.

As reported by C|Net, the Apache Software Foundation has received technology from IBM which will help developers create services using an open, vendor-neutral process. IBM's Java-built Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) will be contributed to the open source Apache XML project. The system provides a simple method of using XML to send message and access web services across distributed networks.

IBM's technology enables businesses to link computing systems on the net and trade online. Using the technology, applications developed by different parties can process common-format SOAP messages - such as electronic invoices or purchase orders - seamlessly. The first implementation, IBM's SOAP4J, is now available on the Apache Web site.

This is by no means IBM's first contribution to the Apache Software Foundation. Previous technologies include the XML4J Parser, XML4C Parser and Lotus XSL. As well as IBM, Microsoft and nine other firms recently submitted the blueprints for SOAP to W3C.

"Professional Apache" by Peter Wainwright is one of the many books in Wrox Press Ltd's "Programmer to Programmer" series, aimed at experienced Apache users and web server administrators who are using Apache for the first time. Packed full of information with emphasis on performance, security, and some popular third party modules, its task-based chapters are organised in a smooth and logical manner.

Covering topics such as fine-tuning performance and securing Apache with mod_ssl, we think Professional Apache will make a fine reference guide for those who use Apache. [Read our full review]

The Developer Shed have released a useful guide to Perl in their article, "Perl 101". Two articles of this five part series are available, exploring server-side scripting using this popular language.

Recently launched, internet.com's Apache Today boasts some impressive content (and not-so-impressive photographs of its authors) from the Apache community. ASF Vice President Ken Coar has contributed an article, "Getting Started With Apache 1.3" which provides an interesting insight into the deployment of the Apache web server once the decision has been made to go with an open-source technology. It provides a step-by-step explanation of the process which will be invaluable to those looking to get Apache up and running for the first time. In an article from Apache Today's resident editor Paul Ferris, " PHP 4.0 -- Dynamic Content for the World Wide Web Warrior" explains the differences between the newly-released PHP4 and previous versions, including some home-grown benchmarking that concurs with Zend's claims that PHP4 is between 5 and 200 times faster than its older brother.

Apache Site: www.apache.org/httpd
Release: 1.3.12 (Released 25^th February 2000) (local download sites)
Beta: None
Alpha: 2.0a3 (Released 28^th April 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.

Nearly 1000 Apache Week readers entered our "Professional Apache" competition. Unfortunately we only have 5 copies of the book to give away and our apologies if you're not one of the five people listed below. Surprisingly, there were a couple of wrong answers, although those who believed Bill Gates - who was the odd one out - to be an Apache developer will go unnamed.

The winners, chosen at random, were: Kenneth Graves, Steve Duskin, Chritian Jøorge, Dou DeJuilo, and Sebasitan Bazley. Your books and collectable Apache Week postcards are in the post.

Thanks also to those of you who gave us a laugh with your "Who wants to be a millionnaire" style answers and kudos to the web administrator at a recently floated dotcom company who answered - at the last minute - three times. Only one of your answers was right. Special mentions to Peter Rowell who sent us three amusing Gates haiku, and to Lee Davies for pointing out that although Bill doesn't work on Apache "he does, allegedly, scalp the competition".

Just for the record, we don't believe for one second those of you who told us you'd never heard of Dean Gaudet. And we've never seen Brian Behlendorf and Bill Gates in the same room either. There's a conspiracy theory in there somewhere.