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September 30, 2002

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Red Hat Linux 8.0 Distribution Released

Red Hat Linux 8.0 Is LSB Certified

Mike Angelo -- 30 September 2002 (C)

Red Hat Software released its new, Red Hat Linux 8.0 Linux distribution today. Its predecessor, Red Hat Linux 7.3 was released nearly five months ago on 6 May 2002. Red Hat Linux 8.0 ships with the Linux 2.4.18 kernel.

According to the Red Hat Linux 8.0 Release Notes, The kernel is based on the 2.4.18 with selected bits from the 2.4.19 and the -ac patchset. Red Hat Linux Beta 3 (Null) used the 2.4.19-pre10-ac2 Linux kernel release.

Red Hat placed the third beta of Red Hat Linux 8.0, dubbed Null, on its public FTP servers on 19 August 2002. The first and second Red Hat 8.0 betas had been dubbed Limbo. They were placed on Red Hat's public FTP servers on 3 July 2002 and 29 July respectively.

Red Hat 8.0 already is listed as LSB certified on the official LSB certification register. It was registered as LSB certified on 24 September 2002. On 10 August 2002, Red Hat Linux 7.3 was the third Linux distribution to obtain LSB (Linux Standard Base) certification.

According to the Red Hat Linux 8.0 Press Release and other Red Hat information, 8.0 includes both the GNOME 2.0 and KDE 3.0.3 windows-like desktops. Additionally, Red Hat 8.0 includes a new, Red Hat desktop concoction named Bluecurve.

Bluecurve is Red Hat's own, re-worked combination of the KDE and GNOME desktops, menus, and applications. Red Hat Marketing Manager, Leigh Cantrell Day, characterizes Bluecurve as the new Red Hat look and feel with simplified menus, new icons, themes etc.

Unfortunately, Mozilla 1.0.1 was released with some privacy and security issues and problems, such as Mozilla Bug #145579, a JavaScript related privacy problem. That bug has been fixed since the Mozilla 1.0.1 release. Because of Mozilla Bug #145579 and other JavaScript-based privacy and security issues in the Mozilla 1.0.1 code-base, we recommend that you either disable JavaScript completely in the Mozilla browser-suite preferences or, use another browser such as KDE's Konqueror, another e-mail client such as KDE's Kmail, another e-mail client such as KDE's Knode, and so forth. (We will have more about this shortly.)

We asked Red Hat spokesperson, Leigh Cantrell Day, if Mozilla Bug #145579 is included in the Mozilla 1.0.1 edition that comes with Red Hat 8.0. She is checking. Stay tuned.

For you Mozilla fans Red Hat Linux 8.0 ships with Mozilla 1.0.1. However, Netscape has been discontinued in Red Hat 8.0.

According to the Red Hat Linux 8.0 Press Release and other Red Hat information, here are some major components, additions, and upgrades included in Red Hat Linux 8.0.

kernel 2.4.18
XFree86 4.2.0
Apache HTTP Server 2.0
GNU Ghostscript 7.05
KDE 3.0.3
Koffice 1.2
Kmail 3.03
Knode 3.03
GNOME 2.0
GNOME Meeting 0.93.1
ABIword 1.0.2
OpenOffice 1.0.1
gcc 3.2
glibc 2.2.93
CUPS 1.1.15
GNU Emacs 21.2
Ximian Evolution 1.0.8
GIMP 1.2.3
gphoto2 2.1.0
MrProject 0.6
Mozilla 1.0.1
Galeon 1.2.5
Postfix 1.1.11
Perl 5.8.0

New graphical configuration tools:

Personal firewall tool for dynamically adjusting security settings.
Peripheral configuration tool for graphic configuration of devices.
Display configuration tool to adjust resolution and placement.
Sound configuration tool for simplified sound control.

According to the Red Hat Linux 8.0 Release Notes, [t]he Netscape Web browser (TM) has been removed and Red Hat Linux 8.0 contains . . . [ten] new configuration and system tools.

As we mentioned in our articles Red Hat Linux to Drop Netscape Browser When Mozilla 1.0 Ships and A Red Hat Linux 7.1 Preview: What's Under the Newest Fedora Red Hat was planning to drop Netscape from the Red Hat Linux distribution after the release of Mozilla 1.0.

AOL-Netscape's Mozilla Organization recently released Mozilla 1.0 and now Red Hat is doing just what it said it was going to do -- drop Netscape. In effect, Mozilla 1.0.1 replaces Netscape in Red Hat Linux 8.0.

A few more interesting items listed in the Red Hat Linux 8.0 Release Notes, that caught our attention are:

Partitioning

* There is now an option in Disk Druid to help create large RAID arrays consisting of drives which are identically partitioned. The Clone Tool allows you to select a source drive and copy its partitioning scheme onto an arbitrary number of other drives in the system.

NOTE: ALL DATA on the target drives will be DESTROYED!

The Clone Tool can be accessed by clicking on the RAID button. At least one unallocated software RAID partition must exist before the option will be available . . .

Miscellaneous

* A new installation type called Personal Desktop is now available which installs pre-selected software for home or small-office use. It is possible later in the installation process to modify the default software selection if you need a package that is not included in the Personal Desktop installation type by default.

The Workstation installation type has been redesigned for users who are interested in software development or system administration.

* The graphical installation program has a new package group selection screen that eases the processes of customizing the software installed. If you choose a Server or Custom installation type, the package group selection screen will be displayed by default. If you choose a Personal Desktop or Workstation installation type, the installation program allows you to either customize packages with the package group selection screen or continue with the default configuration . . .

For a more complete list of what's new and different, please see the 8.0 release notes. (Link in the Resources section at the end of this article.)

We have not checked Red Hat Linux 8.0 yet. However, here is the meat of the Red Hat Press Release announcing the availability of Red Hat Linux 8.0. Links for more information about Red Hat Linux 8.0 and for downloading Red Hat Linux 8.0 after the Press Release excerpts.

Red Hat Releases Red Hat Linux 8.0

Red Hat's Latest Release Delivers Leading Edge Technologies, User-friendly Interface for Personal and Small Business Computing

RALEIGH, NC -- September 30, 2002 -- Red Hat, Inc. (Nasdaq:RHAT) today released Red Hat Linux 8.0, a highly versatile operating system designed for personal and small business computing. Red Hat Linux 8.0 combines leading-edge Linux technologies with a new graphical look and feel that offers users a polished, easy-to-use operating environment.

"Red Hat Linux 8.0 is the perfect choice for small businesses and enthusiasts looking for a reliable, easy-to-use operating system with the latest productivity applications," said Paul Cormier, executive vice president of Engineering, Red Hat. "This is a major step forward for users of traditional operating systems who have been looking for an easier-to-use, more versatile open source solution."

Red Hat Linux 8.0 delivers enhanced productivity tools and an updated graphical interface that combine to create an easy-to-use operating environment for today's personal and professional users. Key features of the latest release include:

* New Red Hat BluecurveTM: Conveniently organized, user-friendly desktop with numerous graphical enhancements and icons.

* OpenOffice.org: Most advanced open source office suite.

* Robust suite of configuration tools: Tools to set up configurations for several system services and settings, including firewall, peripherals, Apache, Samba, and small network settings.

* Personal firewall tool: Graphical tool to easily customize your security settings.

* Red Hat Network integration: Point-and-click utilities to monitor and integrate existing updates for your system.

* Upgraded core components: Updated C compiler, toolchain, and kernel deliver the latest Linux technologies.

* Web server powered by Apache 2.0: Powerful, flexible, secure open source Web server that powers the Internet.

* New accessibility features: GUI support for Braille and mobility-limited language interfaces.

"With this release we have given more attention than ever before to usability", said Erik Troan, senior director of product marketing at Red Hat. "Red Hat Linux 8.0 demonstrates that we can deliver great new functionality for hobbyists and professionals and at the same time make the product much more friendly for mainstream users."

For a complete overview of all Red Hat Linux 8.0 features and benefits, please visit us on the Web at www.redhat.com.

Pricing and Availability

Red Hat Linux 8.0 is available at retail locations on September 30, 2002, and orders are currently being taken online at www.redhat.com.

Red Hat Linux 8.0 Personal for individual users has a MSRP of $39.95, and includes 30 days of Red Hat Network Basic Service and Web-based support.

Red Hat Linux 8.0 Professional has an MSRP of $149.95, and includes a System Administrator's CD, an Office and Multimedia Applications CD, 60 days of Red Hat Network Basic Service, 60-days of Web-based support and telephone support.