Drupal 7 Alpha 2.0, The 2010 Open Source Survey, and Yahooter!**

It’s been a busy week at the Volacci news desk and I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t tell you about the juiciest morsels. News about Drupal 7.0, the Open Source industry, and a big efforts-merger between a search and social media goliath are making a huge pile of fresh, “like-new” smells on my desk. But enough about my breakfast, check out today’s main attractions, after the jump...

Drupal 7.0 Alpha 2.0 Released for Further Testing

The first version of Drupal 7.0 Alpha was released a little more than a month ago for those skilled in the dark arts of Drupal to test for weaknesses in the code. Since then, feedback has been collected and Drupal 7.0 Alpha was burnt alive at the stake. Have no fear, my raving Drupalites and Drupalistas! Up from the ashes rises Drupal 7.0 Alpha 2.0, released this past Tuesday for further testing, feedback, burning alive, running over with the car, mailing to Timbuktu, and throwing into the bath with a plugged-in toaster!

The announcement, posted by webchick, stresses that this version is NOT for production; it’s purpose is to rid the release of critical bugs.

When will it be released? Without missing a beat, webchick gives you a motherly:

“When will that be? Well, it depends entirely on how many people chip in and help out! The more people help, the faster we can find and fix bugs, and the faster 7.0 gets released.”

It’s a team effort, which is what is great about the Drupal community. Everyone, including you, can pitch in and make a difference. You don’t have to be a Drupal developer to contribute to testing and feedback. In the announcement, webchick talks you through how to test it for every skill set – from Drupal “Neophyte” to “Drupal Ninja.”

2010 Future of Open Source Survey

Over the last (digital) decade, Open Source has helped kickstart a “solution revolution” for web-driven business. One of the great thought leaders in the industry, North Bridge Venture Partners, has helped drive the OSS movement forward via “The Great Open Source Debate.” Five years ago, NBVP also began the “Future of Open Source” survey to take a litmus test of the industry.

It is that time of year again. Please take part in the 4th annual Future of Open Source survey, (website hosted by DrupalGardens!) sponsored by North Bridge in conjunction with ComputerWorld and more than 25 leading OSS industry collaborators. There are so many ways to contribute to the Open Source community, and this is one of the quickest, easiest, and most helpful.

Yahoo! and Twitter Join Forces to Create: Yahooter!**

Every big Internet player is making moves for a piece of the social pie. Google released Google Buzz last week, which integrates elements from both Facebook and Twitter into its Gmail service. This may or may not have fanned the flame that is being stoked for Facebook email addresses (yourusername@facebook.com), which will directly compete with Gmail. There are ~300 million Facebook users and only ~30 million Gmail users. But, hey, the Greeks beat the Persians that one time so anything is possible, right?!

A deal was announced Wednesday that Yahoo! has struck a content deal with Twitter, giving Yahoo! network’s 600 million users access to their Twitter feeds via all Yahoo! touchpoints: Yahoo’s homepage, Yahoo! Mail, Sports - to name a few. This makes it easier for Yahoo! users to keep an eye on their Twitter accounts at work while pretending like they are checking their email. Brilliant!

**It has not been officially named Yahooter!, but it does have a nice ring to it, don’t you think?!

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