links for 2008-07-05

• BBC NEWS | Technology | It's not the Gates, it's the bars
  Richard Stallman on Gates, Microsoft and priopritary software.
  (tags: microsoft bbc linux windows stallman gates gnu)
• European VAT Number validation API at Aral Balkan
  "Enter, the European VAT Number Validation API that I just hacked together on Google App Engine. You can hit a URL like http://isvat.appspot.com/GB/802311782/ and get a true or a false back as a simple JSON boolean."
  (tags: aral balkin european VAT validator google app engine)
• Programmazione.it :: FXRuby Create Lean and Mean GUIs with Ruby
  "A very good and useful book."
  (tags: Ruby Pragmatic Bookshelf Lyle Johnson Programmazione.it)
• Building the Perfect PC
  "No matter how many years you have been in Computer servicing business doing PC Repairs This wonderful book Building the Perfect PC published with O’Reilly is a must for all of those who truly want their pc to be compatible for their daily needs. At onl
  (tags: PC Repairs London Mark McGlashan O'Reilly)
• Google Apps Hacks Review
  "There's so much information in this book that you're bound to learn new ways of working with Google Apps and taking your productivity on another level. Lenssen does a good job with a clear writing style and tips for both novice and seasoned users.

  (tags: Google (IN)Secure magazine O'Reilly Philipp Lenssen)