In this issue

Apache Site: www.apache.org
Release: 1.3.9 (Released 20^th August 1999) (local download sites)
Beta: None

Apache 1.3.9 is the current stable release. Users of Apache 1.3.6 and earlier on Unix systems should upgrade to this version. Users of Apache on Windows can now upgrade to Apache 1.3.9 avoiding the previous problems with Apache 1.3.6. Read the Guide to 1.3.9 for information about changes between 1.3.6 and 1.3.9.

Patches for bugs in Apache 1.3.9 will be made available in the apply_to_1.3.9 subdirectory of the patches directory on the Apache site. Some new features and other unofficial patches are available in the 1.3 patches directory. For details of all previously reported bugs, see the Apache bug database and known bugs pages. Many common configuration questions are answered in the Apache FAQ.

A set of patches have been submitted that port Apache 1.3.9 to run on Unix System Services on the IBM OS/390 platform. As with the B2000 and TPF ports, this is another EBCDIC based operating system. These patches may be applied to the 1.3 Apache tree.

The second official Apache conference, ApacheCon 2000, takes place March 8th-10th 2000 in Orlando, Florida. Apache Week is a sponsor of ApacheCon 2000 and will keep you updated on conference news between now and March.

The preliminary schedule for the conference has been updated this week and contains more details of the sessions on offer and speaker biographies.

Hotwired's WebMonkey site recently examined scripting languages in their article, "Server-Side Scripting Shootout". They talk to four site developers who each have their personal favourite from PHP, ASP, ColdFusion and Perl.

This week, Salon Magazine takes a look at how close the net came to being ruled by Microsoft in "How The Web Was Almost Won". The informative article examines the market position of Apache and how the foundations of the the web could have evolved completely differently without it.

"The Apache Group's firm embrace of open standards is one of the great unsung stories of the Web, and a key part of the magic that has kept its innovation alive.".

The popular Slashdot site recently opened a news section dedicated to Apache and related technologies. It is frequently updated and allows readers to comment on the stories and news items it features.

There have been a few changes this month to Apache Week. We have teamed up with the O'Reilly network and are running an extra advert banner and more external advertising. The content, editorial control, and impartiality have not been changed, and we'll be using the revenue we get from the advertising to fund more in-depth articles and features, as well as contributing a percentage direct to the Apache Software Foundation.