4 Commercial Linux Distributions in the US

Contents of this section

These distributions are available on CD-ROM. They are custom-assembled, rather than just being re-packagings of Slackware or some other network release.

4.1 Yggdrasil Plug-and-Play Linux CD-ROM and the Linux Bible

Distributor:

Yggdrasil Computing, Incorporated
4880 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 205
San Jose, CA 95129-1034

Net: info@yggdrasil.com
WWW: http://www.yggdrasil.com
Vox: (800) 261-6630, (408) 261-6630
Fax: (408) 261-6631

Provider's Description:

Yggdrasil Plug-and-Play Linux is a complete CD-ROM distribution of the Linux operating system. It includes a great deal of software---nearly every package that you would expect to find on a complete UNIX system is available. A complete file list is available via FTP from yggdrasil.com.

The Linux Bible is a compendium of Linux documentation, including 5 books from the Linux Documentation Project, The Yggdrasil installation manual, and the complete set of Linux HOWTO guides. We publish this and offer this separately from the CD-ROM distribution.

At the top of the sophistication hierarchy, programmers who want to explore or add the occasional feature know that Yggdrasil is the Linux distribution with a fully buildable source tree and with the ability to automatically trace installed files back to their sources.

Everybody, especially new users, will appreciate the Plug-and-Play operation for which Yggdrasil's product is named. Put the media in a computer with supported hardware, turn the computer on, and it's running everything, straight from the CDROM. (This is no longer unique you Yggdrasil, but Yggdrasil did it first.)

The login screen lists a number of preconfigured user names, including "install", which installs the system, giving paragraphs of explanation about every question that it asks the user. X windows configuration is automated too, prompting the user for configuration information the first time xinit is run.

From X windows, a graphical control panel allows simple ``fill in the blanks'' configuration of networking, SLIP, outgoing UUCP, the printer, NNTP, and many other features that previously required the knowledge of a system administrator to configure.

The next release will feature ELF object-code format. Yggdrasil has been working hard on improving the installation (making packages smaller, etc.).

For more information, send mail to info@yggdrasil.com, surf to www.yggdrasil.com, FTP to yggdrasil.com, or contact us by any convenient method.

Ordering:

Plug-and-Play Linux costs $34.95 is and available directly from Yggdrasil or from your local computer, software or technical book store. If Plug-and-Play Linux is not available from your favorite reseller, help promote Linux by making it your mission to change that. Give your reseller our phone number and demand that they carry Plug-and-Play Linux.

Yggdrasil offers a $7 discount for upgrades or crossgrades. Send us your old Yggdrasil release and a check for $27.95 + $5 shipping and handling to upgrade. Or do the same, but send us a competing distribution such any version of SCO, Esix, minix, or one of the CD's with the slackware floppy images, and tell us where you got it, so that we can make sure that your favorite reseller carries our products too.

Miscellaneous:

Yggdrasil also sells OSF/Motif and The Linux Bible, a compilation of works from the Linux Documentation project. In addition to a copy of the Plug-and-Play Linux manual, The Linux Bible includes Linux Installation and Getting Started, Network Administrator's Guide, Kernel Hacker's Guide, System Administrator's Guide, Linux User's Guide, and HOWTO guides on hardware compatibility, distributions, dos emulation, ethernet, floppy tape, installation, mail, networking version 2, MGR (an alternative to X windows), X windows, usenet news, printing, SCSI, serial communications, sound, and UUCP. The Linux Bible costs $39.95 and is printed on recycled paper. $1 from every copy sold is donated to the Linux Documentation Project. OSF/Motif costs $149.95, $5 of which is donated to the development of a free Motif clone.

Last Freeze Date:

December 1 1994. Another release is scheduled for late May.

Entry last modified:

27 April 1995

Editor's Comments:

Yggdrasil has a mixed reputation. On the one hand, they include lots of well-chosen stuff with their distribution; the CD-ROM-only demo mode is impressive; installation and administration are easy enough to live up to their "Plug And Play" name. The 95-page manual is very nice.

On the other hand, the installation script leaves a lot of shambolic links lying around; many applications (including some as basic as file(1)) won't run without the CD-ROM mounted. And don't even try a full installation with less than a 1GB root disk.

4.2 Professional Slackware CD-ROM

Distributor:

Morse Telecommunications, Inc.
162 West Park Avenue, 2nd floor
Long Beach, NY 11561

Net: order@morse.net (orders)
support@morse.net (info)
WWW: http://www.morse.net
FTP: ftp://www.morse.net
Vox: (800) 60-MORSE (orders), (516) 889-8610 (tech support)
Fax: (516) 889-8665

Hours: 9AM - 5PM EST, Monday through Friday. Fax available 24 hours.

Provider's Description:

Slackware Professional Linux 2.2.0.1 is a 4 CD-ROM set (shipping early May). This set also includes the contents of the sunsite.unc.edu archives and a 600-page printed manual. Thirty days of technical support (clock starting with the first phone call) is provided with this set at no additional charge.

Ordering:

Orders may be placed via phone, fax or email as listed above. The Professional version is $68.95 plud $5 per order for shipping and handling. All orders generally ship the same day if received by 4PM EST.

A full product description is available by email or at the Web site.

See Morse's entry under Re-Packafers for the Morse Quarterly CD-ROM.

Last Freeze Date:

April 15 1995. Future releases will track Slackware.

Entry last modified:

27 April 1995

4.3 Linux from Nascent CD-ROM

Distributor:

Nascent Technology
Linux from Nascent CDROM
P.O. Box 60669
Sunnyvale CA 94088-0669 USA

Net: nascent@netcom.com
Vox: (408) 737-9500
Fax: (408) 241-9390

Provider's Description:

The Linux from Nascent CDROM is a new distribution of the Linux operating system which includes over 400 mbytes of source code, binaries, and documentation for Linux and applications. It features automated root, swap, package, network, and user account installation from CDROM. Linux can be can be run directly from the CDROM and floppy. The Nascent CDROM features Xwindows, Openlook, TeX, GNU compiler and utilities, Magic and Spice electronic design tools, and over 100 high resolution images translated from Kodak PhotoCD(TM). Each source archive is distributed with an associated notes file to allow you to browse and install applications using a consistent interface.

A listing of the contents of the Nascent CDROM as well as a current copy of the CDROM announcement and order form may be obtained via anonymous ftp at netcom.com:/pub/na/nascent.

New features in the 2.0 release:

Ordering:

The Linux from Nascent CDROM, Version 2.0, is only $59.95 plus shipping and handling. Nascent also offers the Linux from Nascent Plus package for only $119.95, which includes six months of email support and a 30\% discount off a future release of the CDROM with your CDROM purchase. Nascent accepts Mastercard, VISA, checks, and money orders as payment.

To order your Linux from Nascent CDROM, mail, email or fax a completed order form to Nascent.

Last Freeze Date:

Unknown.

Entry last modified:

27 April 1995

Editor's Comments:

Nascent's ads indicate both visually and textually that this Linux is targeted to hardware and IC designers.

4.4 Red Hat Software Linux CD-ROM

Distributor:

Red Hat Software
PO Box 4325. Chapel Hill NC 27515

Net: redhat@redhat.com
WWW: http://www.redhat.com
Vox: (919)-309-9560

Provider's Description:

RHS Linux contains over 650Mb of binaries and source code and comes with a manual that covers the installation process and the RHS Linux system administration tools. In addition the manual contains the entire Linux Installation and Getting Started book by Matt Welsh, and Ian Jackson's Linux FAQ. Included with the purchase of RHS Linux is 30 days of free installation support, and a card for a complimentary copy of the Linux Journal. More details are available from our FTP site.

Ordering:

Available directly from Red Hat Software and most distributors of Linux related products. Please contact Red Hat Software for ordering details. (see contact info above). Suggested retail price is $49.95.

Last Freeze Date:

Unknown.

Entry last modified:

27 April 1995.

Editor's Comments:

If you call Red Hat (as of late April) you'll get a message informing you that they're out of stock. They inform us that a new version is expected out about May 15 1995.

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