Linux2000 OnLine Distributions

Linux Distributions

As a benefit to the source code for the Linux kernel being freely distributed, a number of companies have developed their own "distribution" of Linux. Each of these distributions has its own feature set, and some are geared towards specific types of computer systems. In many cases they are available at no charge via FTP and in other cases they may be purchased on CD for a relatively low price, or as a companion to a Linux book. Many of the Linux books can be purchased Online or at a book store. Never the less, you will soon learn that there are many flavors of Linux distributions.

Caldera - return to top

The Caldera OpenLinux Product line is a multi-tasking, multi-user operating system. Caldera gives you the power and reliability of UNIX on a personal computer. OpenLinux is Caldera's "distribution" or package of Linux and is surrounded with utilities, graphical interfaces, installation procedures, third party applications, and much more. OpenLinux is great for small, medium and large companies who would like to optimize their investments in existing systems, hardware and training. Several versions are available. OpenLinux 2.4 is the latest release with a 2.2.17 kernel upgrade, KDE 1.1.1 Desktop environment, StarOffice 5.1 (TM) Office Suite, Netscape Communicator (TM), WordPerfect 8, BRU 15.1, and numerous software development tools.

Debian - return to top

Debian is a free distribution, GNU/Linux is based on the Linux operating system. It is updated and maintained through the work of many users who volunteer their efforts. Extensive pre-release testing is done to insure the highest degree of reliability possible, and a publicly accessible bug tracking system provides an easy way to monitor customer feedback. Along with its large selection of prepackaged software it contains advanced package management tools that allow for easy installation and maintenance on individual systems and workstation clusters.

DLX - return to top

DLX is a full featured linux system running on Intel PCs. The special thing is that DLX comes with only one 3.5" floppydisk. DLX boots with a kernel <= 1.3.89 and starts a ramdisk image. In addition to that DLX also has a writeable ext2 filesystem of about 130 kb on the same disk to easily store configuration scripts (survives booting, is not on the ramdisk!). Further is DLX fully prepared for the paralell-port ZIP-Drive which allows you to mount 100 mb disks. You can even put large programs like perl5 on the disk because a special directory on the ZIP-disk is mounted as /usr/local/*! These features make DLX the ideal disk for network trouble-shooting and/or FTPing from a university pc-lab if you do not have your own PC connected to the internet or your dialup is just too expensive/slow.

LinuxPPC - return to top

LinuxPPC Inc. manufactures CD-ROMs based on the Linux/PPC code base. The company is exhibiting at the Macworld Expo, and has several events lined up at the show. LinuxPPC runs "natively" on PowerPC computers, rather than relying on the Open Group Mach microkernel, as MKLinux and Rhapsody do. As a result, LinuxPPC is about 20% faster than any microkernel-based offerings. LinuxPPC enjoys better stability and device support than MkLinux. For example, the floppy drive works in LinuxPPC.

Linuxware - return to top

Unleash the true multi-tasking capabilities of your computer and add hundreds of valuable applications with LinuxWare. Traditionally, Trans-Ameritech has set new standards for combining ease of use and straightforward installation, even for the first-time user, with its line of LinuxWare CD-ROMs. This is a flexible, easy-to-install UNIX clone operating system geared toward those interested in learning UNIX as well as technical people, students and home PC users. Customer response to Linux is consistently enthusiastic: people are able to install Trans-Ameritech's LinuxWare on their systems quickly and simply through Windows, Windows 95 or DOS from any CD-ROM drive that DOS supports. There is no need to re-partition hard drives. LinuxWare's popularity stems from its reputation for simplicity and high quality at an affordable price.

Mandrake - return to top

Linux-Mandrake is a very innovative Linux Distribution, providing high-performance (pentium optimization) and reliability. It also comes in the most languages. The Linux-Mandrake 7.2 delivers even greater ease of use than the renowned version 7.1. So take some advance, keep up with Linux-Mandrake. The Linux-Mandrake Power Pack 7.2 offers 100 days of free fax and e-mail installation support, something worth considering for new users. The WindowsTM user will thereby easily get a fully pre-configured desktop (KDE looks like Windows) as well as a full series of any kind of softwares. MandrakeSoft now offers a new product specific to the education market and will soon enlarge its range of specific products. The brand new product was launched December 4th of 2000, and will provide our new fully graphical installation interface as well as phone support (for certain countries), a free update to the next release and more than 2500 applications and softwares! The commercial application / demos list is quite extensive. Visit http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/72featftp.php3 to see complete overview. Here are some of the highlights:
Apache 1.3.12 - PHP 4.02
Corel - Wordperfect 8.0 Wordprocessor [Download Edition]
Netscape Communicator 4.75 [with Flash4], Konqueror and KMail
VMware [demo].
Blender Animation Studio.
CyberSchreduler Web based calendaring and scheduling.
IBM Linux Java Developer.
Databases - PostgreSQL 7.0.2 - MySQL 3.23 - Interbase 6.01.
NetBeans Visual programming environment.
ObjectOREXX REXX utilities.
WebSphere Application for web server development.

MkLinux - return to top

Apple Computer is supporting a project with The Open Group-Research Institute to port Linux, a freely distributed UNIX like operating system, to a variety of Power Macintosh platforms. MkLinux operates on the The Open Group Mach (PMK1.1) microkernel, running natively on the PowerPC microprocessor. MkLinux is available both on CD-ROM and by FTP. Apple's MkLinux FTP site (ftp.mklinux.apple.com) offers the complete current release and updates, as well as the latest works-in-progress. Prime Time Freeware (PTF) working with Apple, has produced the reference release ("MkLinux: Microkernel Linux for the Power Macintosh") and assisted with the production and distribution of other CD-ROM releases of MkLinux.

Plug & Play Linux - return to top

Yggdrasil Computing has shipped the first production Linux distribution to use the new ELF binary format and version 5 of the Linux C Library. This combination is the binary environment that the Linux community on the internet has been adopting over the past nine months. Other new features of this release include DOS-based and network-based installations for systems that lack a supported CDROM drive configuration, expanded graphical control panels, the postgres95 beta 0.02 remote database system, and the XFree86 3.1.2 version of the X11R6 X window system. Plug & Play Linux has now grown to two CD-ROM's. The first CD-ROM includes all system programs, while the second CD-ROM is source code. Like previous Plug & Play releases, Plug & Play Linux can be started on supported hardware configurations by simply plugging in the included boot floppy and the first CDROM, and turning the computer on. Users with other hardware configurations can use the new DOS installation or the new network (NFS) installation. These alternative methods work not only for the initial installation, but also for installing optional software packages later. Other new features of this release include an expanded 170 page installation guide and additional enhancements to our graphical control panels for system administration.

Redhat - return to top

The Red Hat Linux distributions for Intel, Alpha and SPARC products are built from the exact same source packages. This insures maximum ease of software portability between machines running Red Hat Linux regardless of the underlying hardware architecture. Your investment in the configuration of Red Hat Linux will pay off on all three platforms. Redhat keeps up on all bugs and updates them very quickly. Redhat is very easily installed using RPM (Red Hat Package Management).

Slackware - return to top

Slackware Linux 7.0 is out of beta and ready to roll! Now based on glibc-2.1.2 and the 2.2.13 (final) kernel, 7.0 is another impressive upgrade. The new features include (but are not limited to) XFree86 3.3.5, KDE 1.1.2, October Gnome, and a ton of new setup coolness. Of course, you'll want a CD set from Walnut Creek CD-ROM, or maybe a downloaded copy from the Get Slack page. Slackware Linux is compatable with most Intel PC hardware and supports most CDROM drives, sound, ethernet, and mice. The advanced 2.2.13 kernel will provide stellar performance on high-end systems, including support for symetric multi processing (up to 16 processors), PCI, and special code optimizations for the 486, Pentium, and Pentium Pro.

Stampede - return to top

Stampede has a innovated approach towards the new user. It also is effective for the power user also. Stampede is based on GNUlibC2 technology. It supports NFS, ProFTPD, BSD-like init scripts. Automated installs, so if you don't feel like digging through every package just choose a Stampede Linux predefined install script.

SuSE - return to top

SuSE is the leading distribution of Linux in Europe. SuSE Linux has set new standards for quality and ease of use, offering the most comprehensive packages of Linux-based applications. SuSE's world-class customer services and support has made it the #1 choice for European businesses. SuSE has recently placed new emphasis on its North American operations and its outreach to Asia, and is quickly gaining popularity among seasoned professionals and newcomers alike.

Turbolinux - return to top

TurboLinux features the world's easiest Linux installation, a brand-new professional-quality desktop environment, an automatic package updating system, tons of extra software packages, and more! For more information, see the TurboLinux page. This is a 3-CD set, and it also includes a printed manual at no extra charge, which will help you with installation and with the usage of the TurboDesk desktop environment. The third CD, new for TL 3.0.1, contains a copy of Corel WP8 for Linux. Additionally, the manual has been expanded - it's now a full-size 250 page comprehensive guide to the installation and usage of TurboLinux.

Armed Linux - return to top

Armed Linux is a New Linux distribution meant for first time users and people who need Linux as a secondary Operating System. A small group of developers and users, we believe in Linux and want to see it flourish. We also understand that in today's market Microsoft has a monopoly on the desktop operating system, but many people would rather run something else, something customizable and stable. To fill the hole, we have developed Armed Linux.

Our Design Statement: To develop a version of Linux for the first time user, to be a guilt free, easily-reversible, non-destructive distribution that co-exists with existing Microsoft operating systems.