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*bww bitwise works GmbH progress update December 28, 2015*

In the last couple of week we have been working on the tasks below.

* lxml
* Python
* Rpm
* Fontconfig
* FreeType
* HarfBuzz
* Pango
* Cairo
* Pixman
* libpoll
* VitrualBox

*
lxml*
The lxml python parser was packed as rpm.
About lxml: lxml is the most feature-rich and easy-to-use library for processing XML and HTML in the Python language.
*
Python*
We updated python 2.7.6 with some important fixes. Without this fixes some python based build systems (like the Mozilla build system) would not work.
About Python: Python is a programming language that lets you work more quickly and integrate your systems more effectively.
*
**RPM*
We updated rpm 4.8.1 with some important fixes. Among some fixes we also added the %debug macro. This which makes the live of rpm packers easier.
About Rpm: The RPM Package Manager is a powerful command line driven package management system capable of installing, uninstalling, verifying, querying, and updating computer software packages.

*Fontconfig*
First we enhanced our old mozilla based Fontconfig with some functions and hoped this would work with our new upcoming Firefox 38. But unfortunately this turned out to be wrong. So we decided to port the complete Fontconfig.
We renamed the old Fontconfig rpm and updated the Fontconfig rpm with the new Fontconfig. To make sure old and new works, the "yum update fontconfig" does not only update to the new Fontconfig, it also installs the old version. So both work together.
About Fontconfig: Fontconfig is a library for configuring and customizing font access.
*
FreeType*
We updated FreeType including rpm to version 2.6.2.
About FreeType: FreeType is a software font engine that is designed to be small, efficient, highly customizable, and portable while capable of producing high-quality output (glyph images). It can be used in graphics libraries, display servers, font conversion tools, text image generation tools, and many other products as well.
*
HarfBuzz*
This is a new port. We also created a rpm for it. This port is currently needed by the upcoming Firefox 38 port.
About HarfBuzz: HarfBuzz is an OpenType text shaping engine.
*
Pango*
This is a new port. We also created a rpm for it. This port is currently needed by the upcoming Firefox 38 port.
About Pango: Pango is a library for laying out and rendering of text, with an emphasis on internationalization. Pango can be used anywhere that text layout is needed. The integration of Pango with Cairo provides a complete solution with high quality text handling and graphics rendering.
*
Cairo*
Cairo is not a new port, but we enhanced it and created also a rpm for it.
About Cairo: Cairo is a 2D graphics library with support for multiple output devices.

*Pixman*
This is a new port. We also created a rpm for it. This port is currently needed by the upcoming Firefox 38 port.
About Pixman: Pixman is a low-level software library for pixel manipulation, providing features such as image compositing and trapezoid rasterization. Important users of pixman are the Cairo graphics library and the X server.

*libpoll*
This is a new port. We also created a rpm for it. This port is currently needed by the upcoming VBox port.
About libpoll: libpoll implements the poll() system call for systems that do not support poll out of the box.

*VirtualBox
*The team to port the latest VirtualBox Host to eCS (OS/2) is formed. We already checked in a lot code and a very early build is running already. In the next couple of weeks we plan to deliver a first developer preview. If you are interested to see the progress of this port, then please have a look at VirtualBox for eCS (OS/2) <trac.netlabs.org/vbox>.
About VitrualBox: VirtualBox is a powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise as well as home use. Not only is VirtualBox an extremely feature rich, high performance product for enterprise customers, it is also the only professional solution that is freely available as Open Source Software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL).

*Sponsoring
*
If you want to support us or a specific project then please check out our online shop <www.bitwiseworks.com/shop>.
You are one of the people making the future possible!

*Partners*
We at bww bitwise works GmbH would like to thank our development partners, Arca Noae and Netlabs.org for their continued contribution to the OS/2 platform.

With regards, the bww bitwise works GmbH Team
www.bitwiseworks.com