home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
Text File | 1997-11-03 | 44.2 KB | 1,074 lines |
- The Linux Distribution HOWTO
- Eric S. Raymond <esr@thyrsus.com>
- v5.4, 31 October 1997
-
- This document is intended to help new users choose a Linux distribu¡
- tion, and to help experienced users track the state of the Linux mar¡
- ket.
-
- 1. Introduction
-
- There is no single distribution of the Linux software. Instead, there
- are many such distributions, available both via anonymous FTP and by
- mail order on CD-ROM.
-
- The purpose of this document is to provide short summaries of the
- English-language Linux distributions, and to provide pointers for the
- reader to find more information. A German Distributions HOWTO is
- maintained by Marco Budde at <http://www.tu-
- harburg.de/~semb2204/dlhp/DE-Distribution-HOWTO.html>. We are not
- aware of any distributions in languages other than English and German.
-
- The information presented here is not complete; there are other Linux
- distributions than are listed here. If you are associated with a
- distribution we don't list, please see ``Submissions To This
- Document'' near the end of this document for information on making a
- submission. It's easy and should take less then five minutes.
-
- Disclaimer: We make absolutely no guarantee as to the correctness of
- the information, prices, and ordering details given in this document.
- Check the last-modified field of each to get an idea of its currency,
- then go to the vendor's web page for up-to-date information.
- Furthermore, unless otherwise stated the Linux software comes with
- ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY.
-
- Your editor tries to stick to facts in most of this HOWTO, but he has
- some opinions on the state of the Linux market. If you care what they
- are, you can read them under ``Editorial Recommendations''.
-
- Disclosure: I (esr) have no financial connection to any Linux vendor,
- nor have I accepted any renumeration or perquisites from any vendor
- other than free product for review (and one T-shirt from Red Hat).
-
- 1.1. New versions of this document
-
- This document will be posted monthly to the newsgroups
- comp.os.linux.answers . The document is archived on a number of Linux
- FTP sites, including sunsite.unc.edu in pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO.
-
- You can also view the latest version of this HOWTO on the World Wide
- Web via the URL <http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/HOWTO/Distribution-
- HOWTO.html>.
-
- Feel free to mail any questions or comments about this HOWTO to Eric
- S. Raymond, esr@snark.thyrsus.com. Please do not send me general
- Linux questions or requests for help in choosing a distribution unless
- you're willing to hire me at normal consulting rates; I don't have
- time to deal with them, and I try to put everything I know about
- choosing a distribution in this document.
-
- 1.2. Recent Changes
-
- This HOWTO is much shorter than it used to be. In 1995-96 the Linux
- market underwent a serious shakeout, for reasons we discuss below.
-
- Network distributions like the original Slackware no longer seem to be
- Linux's most important vector. Accordingly the General Information
- section and this HOWTO as a whole now focuses more on commercial CD
- distributions.
-
- The old sections on re-packagers and miscellaneous related products
- have been trimmed and dropped. The information in them was old and
- hard to verify, and of rapidly decreasing value given recent changes
- in the Linux market.
-
- 1.3. Overview of the Linux Market
-
- In the beginning (say, 1993), a Linux distribution was something you
- downloaded off the Internet onto floppies. Installation was a
- laborious process and repeated frustrations due to bad media were
- common.
-
- Then came cheap CD-ROM drives and the CD-ROM, a medium ideally suited
- for shipping large volumes of operating-system software cheaply.
- There's a whole mini-industry now built around commercial CD-ROM
- Linuxes, and (because the vendors have actual cash flow to fund
- support and marketing) they increasingly dominate the Linux world.
- Debian is now the only significant non-commercial release, and even it
- seems to be propagated largely by shovelware CD-ROMs.
-
- Most of the CD-ROM distributions (including Slackware, Yggdrasil and
- Red Hat) are still available for FTP from the home sites of their
- developers. But if you have a CD-ROM drive and a few dollars, you
- will have many more distributions and more support options to choose
- from (and you'll usually get some useful paper documentation). For
- more on the details of installation, see the Linux Installation HOWTO,
- <http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/HOWTO/Installation-HOWTO.html>.
-
- Prices for CD-ROM distributions of Intel Linuxes start at $20 and top
- out at a whole $50 (and the extra few dollars can buy real value).
- Many vendors sell subscription deals that will lower your cost-per-CD
- for regular updates over the subscription period.
-
- Price correlates with features and quality pretty well (as one would
- expect in a very competitive market). Your editor recommends paying
- the few extra dollars for a top-drawer original CD-ROM distribution;
- this will pay off in fewer installation and administration hassles
- down the road.
-
- Making good choices is much simpler than it used to be. In 1995-96
- the Linux market underwent a serious shakeout, with a very few
- commercial distributions emerging as leaders while weaker ones
- disappeared or stagnated. The toll among general-purpose non-
- commercial distributions has been even fiercer; essentially, only
- Debian survives in this role.
-
- As a result, the three-tier structure of primary distribution
- builders, value-added repackagers, and bottom-feeding CD shovellers
- that used to define the market has nearly collapsed. To be
- competitive in 1997, a Linux outfit (whether commercial or
- noncommercial) has to offer reasonable support and behave like a
- primary distribution builder, whether it's really one or not. So as
- long as you look for a recent freeze date, it is pretty hard to get
- stuck with a dud distribution these days.
-
- 1.4. Editorial Recommendations
-
- Last section, the facts. In this section, my opinions (for whatever
- they're worth -- and remember the caveat about free advice). There is
- no substitute for doing your own evaluation based on experience and
- the data in this guide, and these are intended more to illuminate my
- possible biases than as a guide to what you should do.
-
- From the beginnings of the Linux CD-ROM industry in 1993 to Fall 1995,
- Yggdrasil was the king of the hill -- it essentially founded the CD-
- ROM market and then set the standard for everybody else. I used
- Yggdrasil, and I recommended it over commercial System V versions for
- its superior documentation, large collection of applications, and
- enlightened policy of sending free releases to freeware authors and
- dedicating part of the price of each CD-ROM to financially supporting
- free software. But Yggdrasil hasn't issued a new release in all 1996
- (it's March '97 as I write) and they've perhaps been left behind by
- the market.
-
- I now run Red Hat Linux and am quite satisfied with it. Red Hat's RPM
- technology currently gives it, IMO, a technical edge over any other
- vendor. They've made most of the right moves at the right times and I
- consider them the current market leader.
-
- If you're ideologically wedded to using a non-commercial distribution,
- Debian seems to me to be the clear choice, the only one left with a
- serious support team behind it.
-
- These opinions should certainly not be interpreted as an unconditional
- endorsement; different Linux distributions are optimized for different
- needs, and yours may well be best served by some other distribution
- (especially if, unlike me, you're mainly a DOS user and are looking
- for a distribution tuned for dual-boot systems and being launched from
- DOS).
-
- Furthermore, industry standing is volatile. By the time you read
- this, Red Hat or Debian may well have fallen off their games and been
- displaced by hungrier newcomers.
-
- 2. American Linux Distributions
-
- All these distributions are available on CD-ROM (some of the non-
- commercial ones only show up on network-archive snapshots). Most of
- these are available for free over the network (but the commercial ones
- won't support you if you buy this way). They are custom-assembled,
- rather than just being re-packagings of a pre-existing network
- release.
-
- They are listed in alphabetical order.
-
- 2.1. Caldera OpenLinux
-
- Distributor:
- Caldera, Inc.
- 633 South 550 East
- Provo, Utah 84606
-
- Net: info@caldera.com
- WWW: <http://www.caldera.com>
- FTP: <ftp://ftp.caldera.com>
- Vox: (801)-377-7678
- Fax: (801)-377-8752
-
- Provider's Description:
- Caldera is shipping OpenLinux 1.1 in a three-tiered family of
- products: OpenLinux Lite, OpenLinux Base, and OpenLinux
- Standard.
-
- OpenLinux Lite is a freely available evaluation of the OpenLinux
- product (it includes a 90-day evalutation of the Caldera
- integrated Desttop--the full licensed version of the desktop is
- included in the Base and Standard products). OpenLinxu Lite can
- be downloaded from Caldera's ftp site, or obtainded on CD for
- the cost of shipping. It is also designed for use by book and
- software publishers to provide a commercially stable Linux
- offering with their books and software products.
-
- OpenLinux Base contains everything that is in Lite plus it is a
- complete, easy-to-install Linux operating system, with
- integrated Desktop, Internet client and server components, and
- Intranet connectivity. OpenLinux Base includes Netscape
- Navigator and full documentation.
-
- OpenLinux Standard includes what is in Base plus more high-end,
- name brand, commercial software components (such as Netscape
- FastTrack Web Server, Netscape Navigator Gold Web browser and
- authoring tools, ADABAS D database, StarOffice productivity
- suite, Caldera OpenDOS, and NetWare client and administration
- tools).
-
- All three tiers of the OpenLinux 1.1 release are currently
- available.
-
- With Caldera OpenLinux, you can see a whole world of powerful
- new computing, even the power of a UNIX workstation on your PC!
- By using a Linux kernel, OpenLinux gives you speed and stability
- that compare to systems costing thousands of dollars. Open Linux
- also gives you:
-
- ╖ Real multi-tasking runs many text or graphical applications at
- once; no application can cause another to crash, unlike less
- robust systems.
-
- ╖ The Linux 2.0 kernel gives super-fast TCP/IP access to the
- Internet, plus loadable device drivers, for the most efficient
- use of your system resources.
-
- ╖ Easy-to-follow, quick installation with menu-based choices and
- auto-detection of your hardware make installation a snap on most
- systems. The Getting Started Guide (included) provides a step-
- by-step illustrated procedure, with troubleshooting tips.
-
- No other Linux system includes a complete, integrated desktop
- interface with configuration tools and graphical editor. Its
- powerful drag-and-drop capabilities come pre-configured with
- thousands of icons and application settings. The Desktop
- provides a convenient place where you can store your favorite
- programs and data files for instant access. The Desktop gives
- you:
-
- ╖ Drag-and-drop launching of programs with data files.
-
- ╖ An integrated graphical text editor.
-
- ╖ Easy access to an array of powerful system configuration tools.
-
- ╖ A configurable icon bar, custom layouts, and preference
- settings.
-
- ╖ Powerful file management using drag-and-drop or graphical
- dialogs.
- Ordering:
- By email with PGP key, by phone, by fax, or by conventional
- mail. Full ordering details are at
- <http://www.caldera.com/mpro/orinfo/orderinfo.html>.
-
- Support:
- Caldera is one of the only Linux distributers to offer E-mail
- and telephone support. OpenLinux Base (E-mail only) and Standard
- (Telephone and E-mail) users are fully supported (Standard users
- receive 5 free incident calls during the first 30 days). There
- is no technical support for the Lite product.
-
- OpenLinux Base and Standard ship with full licensed versions of
- the Caldera Desktop, which do not expire. OpenLinux Lite ships
- with a 90-day evaluation version of the Desktop.
-
- Last Freeze Date:
- 24 November 1996
-
- Entry last modified:
- 12 August 1997
-
- 2.2. Craftworks Linux
-
- Distributor:
- Craftwork Solutions, Inc.
- 4320 Stevens Creek Blvd. #170
- San Jose, CA 95129
-
- Net: info@craftwork.com
- WWW: <http://www.craftwork.com>
- Vox: (408)-985-1878
- Fax: (408)-985-1880
-
- Provider's Description:
- Craftworks Linux v2.2 is a commercial distribution of Linux for
- Intel and AXP (BeBox support is in the works). It is completely
- ELF, built one program at the time from the latest "stable"
- sources and organized using a methodology we call: CRAFT
- (Component Replacement And Fabrication Technology).
-
- CRAFT accounts for each file in the system, groups them
- logically as true components which are filed into catalogs. For
- example from the 'System Install' catalog, the 'Main Operating
- System Component' which accounts for 3788 files (approx. 19MB),
- when combined with the 'Linux Standard Devices' component
- constitute an operational, network ready, GNU/Linux system.
-
- CRAFT can now install RPM packages.
-
- Security measures including shadow password are enforced
- throughout the distribution. Network information services (NYS)
- and domain name services (DNS) as provided, coexist to
- complement each other. Screen savers and a desktop environment
- are there for X Windows. Extensive use of kernel loadable
- modules including streaming tape (ftape) support have been
- utilized to minimize the need to provide various kernel
- configurations or requiring the end user to build one. These are
- some of the highlights, and the overall thought that went into
- this distribution, which provides a powerful modern UN*X
- environment for workstations and servers.
-
- The Craftworks Linux v2.2 package includes:
-
- ╖ A boot/install floppy for installing on one or across multiple
- hard-disks from the CD-ROM media or via NFS (ethernet or PPP).
- Craftworks Genesis guides the user with panels and menus through
- a new install or upgrade.
-
- ╖ One CD-ROM with a live system (i.e. run directly from the CD-
- ROM) and all the sources as GNU zipped tar files. Supporting
- files such as a comprehensive list of CREDITS, the GNU Public
- License, etc. are also found on the CD-ROM media and copied as
- part of an install onto the hard-disk. Craftworks Sysadm (Main
- Operating System Component) provides for:
-
- ╖ Security and User Account Management
-
- ╖ System Maintenance (access to catalogs)
-
- ╖ BRU Personal Edition backup utilities
-
- ╖ X Window System Setup including Metro X enhanced server.
-
- ╖ UPS Configuration
-
- ╖ System Setup
-
- ╖ Reference and Installation Guide with chapters covering the
- installation and maintenance thereafter. Appendices on FAQs and
- hardware compatibility.
-
- Internet Access:
- Updates between releases are found in
- <ftp://ftp.craftwork.com/pub/v2.2>. FAQs and up-to-date product
- information <http://www.craftwork.com>.
-
- Current upgrades bring the kernel to level 2.0.28.
-
- Ordering:
- Directly from Craftwork Solutions, Inc. or from distributors and
- stores. Suggested retail price $59.95 (Intel), $89.95 (AXP).
- Intel (80386/486/Pentium) version. Discounts available to
- dealers and educational institutions.
-
- Support:
- Craftwork Solutions, Inc. provides 30 days support with each
- copy. Longer term support as well as special projects support
- available on a contract or fee basis.
-
- Miscellaneous:
- The CRAFT-1.0 specification is available from
- <http://www.craftwork.com>. It includes a complete component
- listing for the distribution.
-
- Last Freeze Date:
- 23 August 1996.
-
- Entry last modified:
- 13 March 1997.
-
- 2.3. Debian Linux Distribution
-
- Distributor:
- Debian Linux Association
- Software in the Public Interest
- P.O. Box 70152
- Pt. Richmond CA 94807-0152
-
- Net: info@debian.org
- WWW: <http://www.debian.org>
- FTP: <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian>
-
- Provider's Description:
- Debian Linux is the result of a volunteer effort to create a
- high-quality non-commercial Linux distribution. Debian Linux
- 1.3 is a complete and fully-functional Unix-compatible operating
- system for the personal computer. The system uses ELF
- executables, but also includes optional packages you can install
- to fully support development and maintenance of a.out programs.
- At present, Debian Linux is available for the IBM PC
- architecture (386/486/Pentium) with versions for Sparc, m68k and
- Alpha architectures well under way.
-
- Debian Linux is an easy-to-upgrade distribution that mostly
- consists of freely redistributable software from a number of
- different sources and systems. Support for shadow passwords is
- available, although it should be considered experimental in the
- 1.1 release. Non-free packages may also obtained, making Debian
- a well-rounded system.
-
- The benefits of Debian Linux are its upgradability, well-defined
- dependencies between packages, and its open development. It is
- the only distribution of Linux that is being developed co-
- operatively by many individuals through the Internet, in the
- same spirit as Linux and other Free Software. More than 100
- package maintainers are working on about 500 packages and
- improving Debian Linux. A sophisticated bug tracking system
- allows users to easily report bugs and security concerns which
- are quickly dealt with by the Debian community. A new release
- of the package will soon occur on well-known ftp archives.
-
- Debian Linux is a very dynamic distribution. Snap-shot releases
- are made about every three months, the ftp archives are updated
- daily.
-
- For more information about Debian Linux, please refer to the
- files at <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/doc/> or visit our World
- Wide Web page at <http://www.debian.org/>.
-
- If you're interested in joining this project you are invited to
- subscribe to either debian-user@lists.debian.org or debian-
- devel@lists.debian.org by sending a mail to debian-user-
- request@lists.debian.org (or debian-devel-request respectively)
- with the word "help" in the subject line.
-
- Internet Access:
- Debian Linux is available via anonymous FTP from
- <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/> and on a mirror near to you.
-
- Last Freeze Date:
- 2 June 1997 (1.3)
-
- Entry last modified:
- 13 March 1997
-
- 2.4. DOSLINUX
-
- Distributor:
- Kent Robotti
-
- FTP:
- <ftp://ftp.sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/distributions/doslinux>
-
- Provider's Description:
- A linux-elf slip/ppp networking system for use with DOS
- (formerly called `DILINUX'). It can be dropped into a
- subdirectory of any DOS system and booted from DOS without
- messing with disk partitions. About 22 mbytes unzipped, 22
- mbytes uncompressed. Noncommercial.
-
- Internet Access:
- By anonymous ftp or WWW from wauug.erols.com archives (see URL
- below).
-
- WWW: <ftp://wauug.erols.com/pub/people/kent-
- robotti/doslinux/index.html>
- FTP: <ftp://wauug.erols.com/pub/people/kent-robotti/doslinux>
-
- Last Freeze Date:
- 2 Oct 1997
-
- Entry last modified:
- 2 Oct 1997
-
- Editor's comments:
- As the author says, not a general-purpose release. Probably
- best suited to sites that primarily run DOS but want better
- networking tools for hooking up to an Internet service provider.
-
- 2.5. Linux Pro
-
- Distributor:
- WorkGroup Solutions, Inc.
- P.O. Box 460190
- Aurora, CO 80046-0190
-
- Vox: (303)-699-7470
- Fax: (303)-699-2793
- Net: info@wgs.com (orders)
- FTP: <ftp://ftp.wgs.com/pub2/wgs>
-
- Provider's Description:
- The charter of the WGS Linux Pro CD is different from all other
- distributions currently on the market. We are actively pursuing
- penetration into the commercial marketplace for Linux.
- Everything we do is aimed at increasing the size of the Linux
- community, and helping Linux to become THE one true operating
- system, not just an operating system.
-
- WGS Linux Pro consists of our Main "Stable" Linux CD, for which
- we select what we consider to be the best Linux distribution
- available. Then we make bug fixes & minor enhancements. This
- CD often contains software older than the latest, under the
- theory that "the latest is not always the greatest". Together
- with this approach we provide technical support as well as
- support agreements. For this reason WGS Linux Pro is considered
- a primary Linux distribution. Optionally, and in addition to
- our primary CD, we supply supplemental CDs containing all the
- latest Linux software (including current archives of the tsx-11,
- sunsite, and Red Hat sites). Virtually anything you will get
- with anyone's Linux product can be found on these supplemental
- CDs. We continually add more to these supplemental CDs as
- software becomes available. Even with all this, pricing on our
- product line is very favorable when correctly compared to other
- Linux distributions. Also optional (included with Linux Pro+)
- is a professionally produced and printed manual containing the
- Linux documentation project and more!
-
- Current version is 4.0a; kernel is 1.2.13 with installable 2.0.x
- on the CD.
-
- Internet Access:
- Look in <http://www.wgs.com> for a list of WGS products, and
- latest information on the CD-ROM.
-
- Ordering:
- WGS Linux Pro is available on CD from dealers and distributors
- worldwide, and soon from our FTP site.
-
- You may call, fax, email, or mail us, to purchase, or request
- additional information. We will be happy to respond to any
- question you have. We accept American Express, Visa, Discover,
- and MasterCard, or purchase orders with approval of credit.
-
- Miscellaneous:
- Complete information is available on our FTP site.
-
- WGS publishes a free E-Mail newsletter on Linux and FlagShip to
- which you may subscribe by just emailing us your request.
-
- In addition we carry Motif, FlagShip, A line of books, and other
- products to make your experience with Linux more complete and
- fulfilling. Check us out!
-
- Last Freeze Date:
- 1 October 1996.
-
- Entry last modified:
- 13 March 1997
-
- Editor's comment:
- They describe their current distribution as "Red Hat 3.03 plus".
-
- 2.6. Red Hat Linux
-
- Distributor:
- Red Hat Software
- 3201 Yorktown Rd, Suite 123 DeKalb Center
- Durham, NC 27713
-
- Vox: (800) 546-7274 or (919) 572-6500
- Fax: (919) 572-6726
- Net: redhat@redhat.com
- WWW: <http://www.redhat.com>
- FTP: <ftp://ftp.redhat.com>
-
- Provider's Description:
- Red Hat 4.2 is based on the 2.0.30 kernel and is available for
- Intel, Sparc and Alpha platforms.
-
- Four installation innovations make Red Hat the easiest Linux to
- install ever. Our graphical installation mode brings you
- straight up into X for most of the installation. Our boot disk
- creation script eases selection of the proper boot disk, and it
- saves your existing network configuration information and
- XF86Config so you don't have to configure TCP/IP or X! Our FTP
- install allows you to install simply by downloading 3 floppy
- disk images -- the rest is done automatically! And finally, the
- installation includes seamless support for PCMCIA devices --
- install Red Hat on your laptop as easily as on your desktop
- machine!
-
- After installing Red Hat Linux once, you will never need to
- reinstall Linux again! The new RPM packaging system is
- sophisticated enough to allow upgrading to new Red Hat releases
- without reinstalling your system - no partitioning, no backing
- up all your files, no headaches.
-
- Ordering:
- Available directly from Red Hat Software and most distributors
- of Linux related products. Please contact Red Hat Software for
- ordering details (on-line ordering is available through Red
- Hat's Web). Suggested retail price is for the Intel version is
- $49.95, for the Sparc and Alpha versions $99.95.
-
- Last Freeze Date:
- Early May 1997.
-
- Entry last modified:
- 27 June 1997.
-
- Editor's Comments:
- The big selling point of this distribution is RPM, the Red Hat
- Package Manager. This piece of software is a remarkable
- advance; it allows you to cleanly install and de-install
- applications and operating-system components, including the
- kernel and OS base itself. Red Hat has issued this under GPL,
- which is a good thing for other distributors; it is the
- considered opinion of this editor that those who do not adopt it
- will shortly have their lunches eaten by those who do.
-
- 2.7. Trans-Ameritech Linuxware
-
- Distributor:
- Trans-Ameritech
- 2342A Walsh Avenue
- Santa Clara, CA 95051
-
- Net: info@trans-am.com
- WWW: http://www.zoom.com/tae
- Vox: (408)-727-3883
- Fax: (408)-727-3882
- BBS: (408)-980-9840
-
- Provider's Description:
- Trans-Ameritech has published 10 releases of Linux by early
- 1997. Traditionally, Trans-Ameritech has set new standards for
- combining ease of use and straightforward installation, even for
- a first-time user, with its line of LinuxWare CD-ROMs. This is
- a flexible, easy-to-install operating system geared toward those
- interested in learning Unix as well as technical people,
- students and home PC users.
-
- ╖ New Linux users will appreciate a Windows-based set up program
- from the CD.
-
- ╖ To minimize the possibility of hardware conflicts many extra
- kernels are provided for different configurations. They are
- usable for installation and normal operation.
-
- ╖ Many on-line documents are provided for quick reference,
- including the Linux Documentation Project files in source, dvi
- and ps formats.
-
- Many applications are included:
-
- ╖ MS-Windows based X configuration program
-
- ╖ C/C++,Pascal and Ada compilers as well as converters fron
- Fortran
-
- ╖ TCP/IP networking, UUCP,SLIP,CSLIP,PPP
-
- ╖ Internet access with binaries and sources for FTP,Telnet,News
- and E-mail
-
- ╖ Multiple terminals and X-Windows environment
-
- ╖ Gnu and international versions of the ispell spell-cheker
-
- ╖ The communications apps:term,minicom,Seyon (X-Windows based)
-
- ╖ Editors:elvis(vi clone),joe,jove,Emacs
-
- ╖ PostScript clone ghostscript
-
- ╖ Object oriented GNU Smalltalk and the Smalltalk interface to X
-
- ╖ TCL/Tk (Powerful scripting language with Motif-like X interface)
-
- ╖ Programs for electrical engineers and ham enthusiasts
-
- ╖ Interviews libraries,include files and doc Word-processor and
- idraw drawing program
-
- ╖ Typesetting:TeX,LaTeX,xdvi,dvips,Metafont,groff
-
- ╖ Andrew multimedia word prodessor with hyperlinks
-
- ╖ FAX send and receive on either class 1 or class 2 fax modems
-
- ╖ DOOM for game enthusiasts
-
- All the sources are available on the CD-ROM. The often needed
- sources are uncompressed and can be used directly from the CD-
- ROM.
-
- An uncompressed Linux filesystem is available for references and
- disk space conversaion. You can run programs directly from the
- CD-ROM! There is a large info directory for on-line reference
- and many manpages.
-
- For hacker's reference, uncompressed FreeBSD and netBSD sources
- are provided.
-
- The latest upgrades and patches are always available through
- Trans-Ameritech Linux BBS:(408) 980 9840. It's free for all
- Trans-Ameritech customers.
-
- Our distribution is targeted for Windows and DOS users who want
- an easy migration path upwards, rather than for UNIX experts.
-
- Ordering:
- Email orders are taken at order@trans-am.com
-
- The price for our current release of LinuxWare 2.5 is $19.95
-
- The price for a package order: LinuxWare 2.5,Supplement 5 and
- Supplement 4 (Ultimate LinuxWare Bundle) in one shipment is $30
-
- If you order with a credit card (VISA, MC, AmEx, Discovery),
- please, indicate the card number, expiration date and your
- mailing address.
-
- Shipping and handling in US: single CD-ROM or Ultimate LinuxWare
- Bundle is $5(first class US mail).
-
- Overseas shipping is $8 for single CD-ROM , $12 for the bundle.
-
- COD is available in the US only for $4.50. California
- residents, please add 7.75% sales tax.
-
- Annual subscription (4 releases) is available for $80 plus S&H
- (note: there are 4 shipments in a subscription). Example:
- subscription in US is:$80+$5x4=$100. Subscription in
- Europe/Japan etc. $80 + $8x4 = $112.
-
- Miscellaneous:
- If you have any further questions,please contact us through E-
- mail: info@trans-am.com or order@trans-am.com.
-
- Last Freeze Date:
- January 1997 (Supplement 5)
-
- Entry last modified:
- 13 March 1997
-
- 2.8. Slackware
-
- Distributor:
- Walnut Creek CDROM
- 4041 Pike Lane, Suite D
- Concord, CA 94520
-
- Net: info@cdrom.com (information), order@cdrom.com (orders),
- support@cdrom.com (support).
-
- Provider's Description:
- Ftp.cdrom.com is the home of Slackware Linux. We are the
- publishers of the Official Slackware Linux CDROM. Our
- distribution is a 2-disc set with the current version being
- Slackware 96. The current disc is based on the 2.0.0 kernel.
-
- Slackware Linux is a full featured distribution of the Linux
- operating system designed for 386/486 computers with a 3.5"
- floppy and CD-ROM drive.
-
- Internet Access:
- WWW: <http://www.cdrom.com/titles/os/slack96.htm>
- FTP: <ftp:ftp.cdrom.com/pub/linux/slackware>
-
- Ordering:
- The cost of the CD-ROM set from Walnut Creek is $39.95.
-
- Last Freeze Date:
- August 1996.
-
- Entry last modified:
- 13 March 1997.
-
- 2.9. 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>
- FTP: <http://ftp.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 to 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.
-
- 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, 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:
- Mid-August 1995. (Yes, 1995. They have a next release in pre-
- production but don't want to commit to a ship date yet.)
-
- Entry last modified:
- 13 March 1997
-
- Editor's Comments:
- Yggdrasil includes 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 167-page manual is very nice.
- Their previous problems in the installation scripts seem to have
- been fixed. Their only drawback is that they haven't yet
- adopted Red Hat's RPM technology or created an equivalent. They
- claim they're going to by RPM-compatible in their upcoming
- release.
-
- 3. Re-Packagers
-
- This section lists re-packagers of the Linux distributions listed
- above. In other words, the people selling the software below probably
- do not maintain or support the software itself.
-
- 3.1. InfoMagic Developer's Resource CD-ROM kit
-
- Distributor:
- InfoMagic, Inc.
- PO Box 30370. Flagstaff, AZ 86003-0370
-
- Net: info@infomagic.com
- WWW: <http://www.infomagic.com>
- Vox: (800)-800-6613 (orders), (520)-526-9852 (tech support)
- Fax: (520)-526-9573
-
- Provider's Description:
- The InfoMagic Linux Developer's Resource is a snapshot of the
- sunsite.unc.edu and tsx-11.mit.edu archives. It also includes
- the complete GNU software collection (in source form). The
- following Linux distributions are included on the discs: Red
- Hat, Slackware, Debian and JE (Japanese Extensions).
-
- The Slackware distribution has been completely unpacked allowing
- many packages to be run directly from the disk. Sources for all
- the packages in Slackware are also included.
-
- The Linux HOWTO documents have been formatted for use with the
- Microsoft Multimedia Viewer (which is included) to allow
- browsing and full-text search under Microsoft Windows.
- InfoMagic also includes complete archives of the linux mailing
- lists.
-
- InfoMagic also distributes the "Installation and Getting Started
- Guide", by Matt Welsh as well as Linux T-Shirts (featuring the
- platypus logo).
-
- Ordering:
- The 5-CD set is $27.50/copy. Shipping within the US is $5 (USPS
- Priority Mail), outside the US $10 (International Airmail),
- FedEx and UPS on request. Orders may be placed via phone, fax,
- or email (a PGP key is available: finger info@InfoMagic.com).
- We accept Visa, Mastercard, and AMEX. 1-year subscriptions are
- available for $150 (within the US) and $175 (outside the US)
- including shipping. A 1 year subscription consists of 6
- releases, one every two months or so.
-
- Internet Access:
- The contents of the CDs may be found at either
- <http://www.infomagic.com>, <ftp://ftp.infomagic.com>.
-
- Support:
- We provide unlimited email and FAX support. Telephone support
- is available via a 900 number at $2.00/minute. We also offer
- support contracts tailored to individual needs.
-
- The CD-set includes a 30-page quick-start.
-
- Last Freeze Date:
- 1st week of December 1996. Updates about every two months. The
- Slackware release is 3.1, Red Hat is 4.0
-
- Entry last modified:
- 13 March 1997
-
- 4. Submissions To This Document
-
- I encourage anyone and everyone who maintains a Linux distribution or
- mail order service, to submit information on their service to this
- HOWTO. It's easy and fun, and it's free advertising. This document is
- posted to many places and is archived (see the next section).
-
- 4.1. Types of Submissions
-
- We are interested in submissions for:
-
- ╖ Complete distributions of Linux software, available either via
- anonymous FTP, UUCP, or mail order. By `complete distribution' we
- mean any set of software which can be used to build a complete
- Linux system from scratch.
-
- ╖ Layered products or individual software packages available only via
- mail order. If your software package is available via anonymous
- FTP, chances are people can find it. Software products only
- available via mail-order include commercial things such as Motif,
- and any other commercial software ported to Linux.
-
- ╖ Any other Linux-specific goods available via mail order, such as
- Linux-specific books and documentation, T-shirts, and assorted
- paraphrenalia. Note: our interest in the latter categories is
- marginal -- this is a Linux Distributions HOWTO, not a catalogue of
- cutesy Linux junk. Whatever you're selling will have to be (a)
- very useful, (b) very original, or (c) very funny, to get listed
- here.
-
- If the number of submissions for services and layered products is
- large, I'll create a separate HOWTO for these items.
-
- 4.2. How to submit
-
- To submit an entry to this HOWTO, please send mail to
- esr@snark.thyrsus.com with the following information. This format is
- not machine-parsable; any of the fields may be any length that you
- wish, but I'd like to keep each entry down to, say, 50 lines.
-
- Name:
- Name of service or distribution
-
- Distributor:
- Name of company, person, etc. who distributes/maintains the
- service or distribution. Should include mail, email, phone
- contact information, and (if possible) a WWW reference.
-
- Provider's Description:
- Description of the distribution or service that you provide. If
- this is a software distribution, please include information such
- as what software is included, versions, general overview of
- installation, requirements, and so on.
-
- Internet Access:
- Where your service or distribution is available over the
- Internet; typically a WWW or FTP address.
-
- Ordering:
- How to order your distribution or service, if applicable.
- Include prices, shipping information, methods of payment, etc.
-
- Support:
- Information on support terms and support contracts.
-
- Miscellaneous:
- Anything else that you find relevant.
-
- Last Freeze Date:
- Last freeze date of the current version(s). Also, your
- estimated update frequency.
-
- 4.3. Submission Guidelines
-
- Please keep your entry as short as possible. If you need to include
- extensive information, please make a reference to where one can FTP or
- mail to get more information on your distribution; these entries are
- only meant to be pointers to where one can find information on your
- service or distribution.
-
- If you provide more than one service or distribution, please use
- separate entries for each.
-
- I may edit your entries for conciseness and brevity, if I find any
- irrelevant information, or if the entry is overly verbose. Otherwise
- the content should remain the same.
-
- When making submissions to the Distribution-HOWTO, you grant implicit
- permission for me to use the entries in other materials, such as books
- from the LDP, and other online documents. For example, information
- from the Distribution-HOWTO may be included in a published Linux book.
- If you do not want me to include your entry in materials other than
- the Distribution-HOWTO, please say so.
-
- 5. Administrivia
-
- 5.1. Terms of Use
-
- This document is copyright 1997 by Eric S. Raymond. You may use,
- disseminate, and reproduce it freely, provided you:
-
- ╖ Do not omit or alter this copyright notice.
-
- ╖ Do not omit or alter or omit the version number and date.
-
- ╖ Do not omit or alter the document's pointer to the current WWW
- version.
-
- ╖ Clearly mark any consdensed, altered or versions as such.
-
- These restrictions are intended to protect potential readers from
- stale or mangled versions. If you think you have a good case for an
- exception, ask me.
-
- 5.2. Acknowledgements
-
- This document was originated by Bill Riemers. Matt Welsh maintained
- the second version. Erik Troan then maintained the document to
- release 3.0.
-
- In January 1995, Eric Raymond, while unaware of the existence of this
- document, began to develop a similar FAQ in the format of his now-
- discontinued "PC-clone UNIX Software Buyer's Guide", which had covered
- mainly System V UNIXes and BSD/OS.
-
- In March 1995, Eric approached Erik about cooperating on a merged
- version. In early April 1995, Erik went to work for Red Hat Software,
- and (wishing to avoid a conflict of interest) handed the document to
- Eric. Eric merged in a lot of new information and added several new
- fields to the distribution entries.
-
- Accordingly, this document has been a sort of serial collaboration.
- The editorial `we' generally tags observations by all the maintainers;
- `I' is Eric (the current one) speaking.
-
- We are delighted to acknowledge the contributions of all the Linux
- users and Internet hackers who have contributed information and
- feedback.
-
-