Most of us are going to be spending the Thanksgiving break with friends and family so we may not be around as much to bump the servers if something goes awry. 
SphereXP is a new program that is in beta that is designed to turn your desktop into a 3D space. According to the developer:
It requires the .NET frame-work 2.0 to use. I haven't tried it yet.
We customize everything else, why not soap bubbles? Turns out it's not so easy after all. Bubbles have long been a favorite of kids. But they've always been clear. This article linked below gives some details on why it's so hard to colorize bubbles and how an 11-year quest to color them is bearing some fruit.
The Xbox 360 is now out..sort of if you can find it. Availability of the next generation gaming console is currently not widespread. Skinners such as Gabriel have already released WindowBlinds 5 skins that give their take on bringing the Xbox 360 style to the Windows XP desktop.
Meanwhile, Business Week has taken a look at the Xbox 360 business plan, their conclusion: Microsoft loses $126 per unit. Obviously, the hope is to make that back up on game sales.
For users who are interested in getting their hands on the BETA version of Galactic Civilizations II, you can still, for a limited time, become part of the beta program.
To join, simply pre-order the game directly from Stardock. The beta will be closing in early December so time is running out to become part of the beta.
Beta testers receive the special Collector's Edition of the game (all users who pre-order, regardless of where are entitled to it) plus they have an immense amount of influence over the course of game development based on their feedback.
There's no NDAs, if we're not doing a good job making a fun game, you can scream it to the world! 
Dan Quick of Apolyton.net is doing a multi-part audio series on the inside development of Galactic Civilizations II.
The PROMO for the first part is up. It's relatively short but gives a general overview of things to come...
WindowBlinds 
5 arrives next Tuesday, November 29th! Here are the key details:
DesktopX is a program that enables users to build their own desktops. It was designed to turn the desktop into putty. That is, you could make pretty much anything with it. "Anything" has included "widgets", super icons, alternative shell-type environments, and more.
Since its release 1.0 release in 2000, DesktopX has faced stiff competition in programs that specialize on a particular aspect covered by DesktopX. With Windows Vista due out at the end of 2006, the question must be asked -- where should DesktopX go? This article talks about some of Stardock's thoughts on the matter and you're invited to participate in the discussion.