Dacris Software has just released XMark 7.0 alpha 3. Slated for a beta release in late June, 2003, the upcoming XMark 7.0, also known as "Carleton", is a highly comprehensive distributed system benchmarking and optimization suite. Version 7.0 continues to use Microsoft .NET, like its predecessor, XMark.NET 2002. However, major changes to the core of the program have been made, mainly to make it run faster, be more responsive, more flexible, more stable, and definitely use fewer system resources. XMark 7.0 supports plugins to extend virtually any function of the program.