As an experimental proof-of-concept we have integrated the Laszlo Presentation Server as a NetKernel accessor. It can be used to compile Laszlo's LZX semi-declarative XML code to Flash web-applications. It is quite powerful to use NetKernel processes to dynamically generate the LZX.

The package is available here

It has been considerably optimized: down to 7.5MB from the LPS 110MB distribution, and seems to run happily in a 64MB JVM

Whilst not comprehensive this quick experiment seems to provide reasonable coverage of the LPS features and can be used for dynamic generation of Flash content. Release notes and installation instructions are provided in the zip. More information and docs for the LZX syntax can be found at http://www.openlaszlo.org

As ever - let us know what you think feedback@1060.org or via the xml-dev@1060.org list.

We've had reports of an irritating but minor bug in the backend fulcrum. If you have cookies set in your browser for host 'localhost' then they are getting processed by the HTTPBridge and are then passed in with the internal active URI request for the documentation engine - which then fails to get resolved.

The temporary workaround is to delete localhost cookies in your browser. We will post an updated backend-fulcrum module which will strip cookies off the request. We'll announce the module update on the announce@1060.org mailing list.

Tony has published a case study for his home monitoring system - it uses NetKernel as an integration server for sampling, data processing and presenting the ambient weather conditions for his home. It's running on a steam powered laptop and connected to the internet with damp string and two plastic cups - but the results are really cool.

We launched NetKernel late on Thursday. We passed 200 downloads sometime yesterday. Whilst this is not going to threaten Firefox for the main prize at the software release of the year awards, its our best download rate so far - thanks everyone for the great response.

Along the way we've found there are NK collectors out there. Ola Cesar!

For those who're currently evaluating - we're preparing a couple of case studies - one is the use of NetKernel in a blue-chip production B2B portal. The second is a project using NetKernel for a home automation system - watch this space.

We have released NetKernel v2.0 at the XML 2004 conference in Washington. A press release is here. The distribution can be downloaded here.

We've also fully updated the 1060 Research site.