Open Source in Mac OS X applications has led to the onslaught of freeware that takes BitTorrent client (or P2P downloading) into a new level. Just recently, Transmission v0.6 gets upgraded to v0.7, which comes packed with more features that v0.6 has not been able to accomplish.

A good example is the icon equivalent of dock icon badges which was spiffed up. If you download the new beta version below, you can see for yourself that the mechanical looking icons have been replaced by more handsome lever-like design.

Also, if you activate the Autodownload option, it will copy .torrent files on the desktop to XtorrentÂ?s support folder and start downloading them. This reduces the hassle of downloading files that you don't want to go straight to the desktop. Another feature that points to this direction of hassle-free simultaneous torrent downloads is the "Finder" which allows you to sort torrents by entering status or keyword filter.

We may not be able to cover fully all the features of this latest beta upgrade for Transmission as we've yet to see whether it'll be as popular as the earlier one. Yet, if it weren't for the drawback that it has an unreliable stat reporting, we guess this upgrade far surpasses any BitTorrent client predecessor. Best thing is it's just a few hundred kilobytes worth of download, so there's really nothing to lose if you try it.

Download: [Transmission v0.7 Beta]

Things are getting really expensive nowadays - software, games, web-services, etc. That's why we actively support the homebrew scene, so in our eyes as long as it's original, and free for all, it's probably good.

Mac users looking for an open-source office software might like to check NeoOffice. Based on the OpenOffice.org office suite, NeoOffice is a fully-featured set of office applications for Mac OS X. What's nice about it is that it has integrated dozens of native Mac features and can freely import/edit files with other popular programs like MS Office.

This latest update was made to include all the new OpenOffice.org 2.0.3 features.

Download: [NeoOffice 2.0 Aqua Beta 3 -Intel]
Download: [NeoOffice 2.0 Aqua Beta 3 -PowerPC]

If you're a Mac user, you might be a bit disappointed with the available BitTorrent (BT) clients. They're not as many as compared to those for Windows machines. Being a Macuser myself, I know the plight we have to go through. But still, let's not lose hope. There are actually good BT clients out there. And Torrent Freak has given us a lowdown of the more popular ones.

1. BitTorrent OSX
This is the grandest daddy of them all. Kinda like your "default" BT client if ever they were to start packaging OS systems with one. It's like your most basic torrent app, and according to Torrent Freak, it's about as "feature-full as the Safari's download box." Well, that's not saying much, but still, some people (like me) wouldn't mind simple interfaces. Kinda like a "lesser features means lesser confusion" sort of thing.

2. Transmission
Transmission is an open-source project from HandBrake. What's neat about this client is that it allows you to see your download/upload rates right on the Dock without having to open the window itself. It also help the user with "cleaning up" .torrent files when they are done as it automatically trashes them from your desktop. One unfortunate thing though is that Demonoid (one of the leading torrent directories) has banned this application due to its supposed refusal to "adhere to standards." Well, you win some, you lose some.

Read on for the entire list.

OpenOffice is a popular alternative for Microsoft Office, and can run on multiple platforms. It's an open-source project which is compatible with major office suites and is free for downloading and distribution. (Dontcha just love open-source?) Well, if you're already an OpenOffice user, we got some good news for you.

Next month, OS X users will be able to get a "Mac-native" version of OpenOffice. What's the diff, you say? Well, previous versions of OpenOffice required users to install the X11 Windows System. This graphical interface allows Unix-based applications to run on Macs. But now, the new version of OpenOffice won't require this anymore and will become a "true" Mac application - a native.

This updated build will most likely make its first appearance during the OpenOffice.org Convention in Lyon, France, in mid-September and will also grace the Apple Expo in Paris from September 12 to 16.

A new version of the popular relational database application for Macs has been released for those of you running a Mac with an Intel core processor. The Firebird 1.5.3 SuperServer version for that platform was released just a couple of days ago, with those who own Intel Macs probably jumping up and down when they heard the news.

Firebird is a relational database offering many ANSI SQL standard features that runs on Linux, Windows, and a variety of Unix platforms. Firebird offers excellent concurrency, high performance, and powerful language support for stored procedures and triggers. It has been used in production systems, under a variety of names since 1981.

With the success of the Intel Macs it's hard to see why it has taken so long for Firebird to be Intel Mac compatible, but we cannot complain as the moment is now here.

Download: [Firebird v1.5.3 for Intel Macs]

As usual, this WWDC is generating a minor controversy (for Apple newbies, the WWDC is the World Wide Developers Conference where Apple shares some love with developers and the media).

Apple announced that it has opened its kernel source for the OS X Intel build to developers. For those not in the know, the kernel is the core of most operating systems like OS X, Windows, Linux, or Unix; the kernel "sits in the middle" and manages the back-and-forth between hardware (especially the CPU), software, and the system's resources; in short, the kernel is very, very important.

The source that Apple is opening up to developers is not the source of the entire OS X. The source is only for the kernel of Mac OS X 10.4.7, but this is still big news for developers. Why? Because looking at the kernel for the Intel version of the OS X will allow software developers to make more stable programs for the OS X Intel version. The kernel source for the OS X for the PowerPC was made available a while back, but the source for the Intel version wasn't made available (even though Apple started switching to Intel processors after the transition to Intel was announced last June, 2005).

What's the controversy? Well, it's only a minor one. We just notice that this news reopened the debate in various forums between those who like open source and those who fear that this will lead to a whole slew of crappy software that will just end up crashing the OS X. And since the "crash-proof-nessity" of the OS X is a major selling point against Windows, the anti-Windows faction fears that this will make the OS X into "another Windows." In my humble opinion, while this may be a valid concern, history has shown the opposite to be true: everyone ends up happy with the resulting software, software sales increase (or at least remain stable), and people become happier with all the alternatives and software that become available for the OS (of course, that's just my opinion of the general nature of things; please don't hunt me down if you disagree, ha ha, but feel free to flame me, ho ho).

There's more big news: Apple announced the next major OS X release: Leopard, scheduled for 2007. It looks like Apple is looking forward to how opening the open source will boost development. However, there's not much more we can say about the Leopard because Steve Jobs is keeping all the important details secret.

And a bit more open source news: Apple has launched Mac OS Forge, a website that should allow Apple developers to work more closely together. You can find the kernel sources there. In fact, Apple is so behind this idea that they even included the instructions on how to build from the kernel sources. And the really geeky Apple fans will be glad to know that Apple is releasing the sources for iCal Server, Bonjour, and Launchd.

Let's see how it all works out! Check back for us for more details!

Not a few people raised an eyebrow last year when Apple made the fatal announcement that its next generation machines would be using the chip made by their former enemy, Intel.  Now, out of fear that users might pirate the OS X for use on less expensive PC clones, Apple has made its formerly open-source Darwin core proprietary. Mac developers and power users trying to make modifications of source code can no longer do anything with the OS X's source kernel.

It has been noted that the Mach/Unix cores used by Tiger client and Tiger Server are still open for the older Power PC chip - meaning that users of the G3, G4 or G5 can still hack their own Darwin kernel and use it to boot OS X. While Apple continues to make OS X source code for commands and utilities, those wishing to build a customized OS X kernel for an Intel-based Mac are out of luck. Essentially, all users must now accept a "fixed level of performance," making it impossible for those in computationally-demanding fields like biosciences and meteorology to cut the fat out of the source code and increase efficiency.

Apple engages in ongoing battles with software pirates, especially in areas of the world without strong intellectual property regulations. Still, there should be ways to address these issues without retreating into proprietary status.

If you've got an iSight camera for your Mac, you may be interested in trying the open source project, Gawker.  It allows you to create time-lapse movies of whatever the camera is pointed at.  You can even grab 'feeds' from other iSights on your network, using Apple's Bonjour networking.  Combine various feeds to do a multi-view time lapse from two angles, etc.  Seems like a fun thing to try - though I don't know how useful it is.  I'll have to test it out and see.  If you've tried it and have some thoughts, please share!  Course if your iSight is built in - as it is with the new Intel Macs - we probably won't care to see time lapse of you coding or something.  Check out the project website for some example movies - the one of ice melting is pretty cool actually.

After nearly a year of unstable, flaky releases KisMAC has a stable version 0.21a. This new version is not only stable but comes with some new features as well.

• passive AirPort Extreme mode (except for MacBookPro and newest Mac Minis)
• KisMAC is now a Universal binary
• IP-Addressen of Clients will be shown
• Extenended configuration capabilities
• Growl integration
• Google Earth export
• Advanced search options
• Reworked Atheros integration

For those who don't know what KisMAC, is it's a stumbler application that can put your card into monitor mode. It supports multiple third-party PCMCIA and PCCards and, naturally, Airport cards.

So either you have skills that someone else is looking for, or you've got an idea that you need coded.  Check out the marketplace at MacDeveloper.  You can post jobs you're looking to hire Mac-centric coders for.  You can bid on jobs to try to make some extra bucks.  Or you can just watch and see what the next interesting shareware applications may be around the corner.  (That last one seems a bit boring though.)

MacDeveloper is brought to you by the good folks at MacScripter.  The latter is a very well established scripting community of mac enthusiasts.  You can find scripts for nearly everything you could think up - or at the very least assistance from the legions of knowledgeable members.  Bolster your scripting and developing chops at MacScripter, and then head on over to MacDeveloper and peddle your wares.