However, TkWorld manages to extend the shell into the GUI without seriously restricting it, and provides a number of useful extra features.

At the top of the main window is a Command Center, which allows you to type commands as if you were in a shell. To execute the commands, you click on a lightning bolt icon in the main menu. The output is shown underneath in a Log Window, with timestamps on the start and finish of the command output. This is very similar to some of the query tools provided with commercial database products.

The output of the Log Window may also be saved, which can be useful for keeping a record of what you've been doing.

Another feature, called the Registry, maintains detailed information about common commands such as grep. These are listed in a window down the left-hand side of the application. When a command is selected from the Registry, a customised dialog box pops up with text entry fields for parameters and check-boxes for common switches. Once you've decided how you want the utility to run, its command line equivalent is copied to the Command Center, which may be further edited or integrated with other commands via pipes and similar facilities.

It's probably best to have a look at the application to really see what it can do. Installation is extremely simple, as it is coded in the scripting language Tcl/Tk. You just need to ensure that Version 8 or higher of this package is installed on your system.

The OpenLDAP project aims to provide a free implementation of LDAP for use by developers and system engineers providing solutions for the growing online needs of the enterprise.

The current version of the OpenLDAP package includes a standalone LDAP server, a replication server, and a variety of development libraries and tools.

LDAP is not a simple area to master, but thankfully a huge number of online resources are available on the topic. Some great pointers to LDAP information are provided at the OpenLDAP Web site, which also contains details for subscribing to a number of related mailing lists.

Just like their paper counterparts, notes created with XNotesPlus may contain arbitrary text, such as 'Remember to buy the latest APC', then are 'stuck' on the desktop as a reminder. The computerised version provides more features, however. XNotes may be emailed to other people, can have programmable alarms set, and can be grouped into projects, and printed.

Installation involves unpacking the source into a temporary directory then running the install script. The layout of the installed package is a little odd, and if searching for documentation, try the hidden '.xnotesplus' directory under your home directory.