Microsoft has announced the worldwide distribution of some 500,000 copies of Microsoft Office System Beta 2 to customers and partners. Key components in this set of programs, servers, and services include Microsoft Office, FrontPage, InfoPath, OneNote, Publisher, and Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server. The XML Software Development Kit (SDK) included in the Beta 2 package supports customized enterprise solutions based upon XML Web services. [The XML Cover Pages]

Bush. The coming Iraq war represents the president's ultimate rebellion against his father. [Salon.com]

Comment: The only people to benefit from a war on Iraq will be xenophobes, extremists and facists, argues Anas Altikriti. [Guardian Unlimited]