Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 10:57:46 +0100 (BST)
From: Jason Clifford <jason@dlsl.demon.co.uk>
To: editor@lwn.net
Subject: New version of Definite Linux

I am pleased to announce the newest version of Definite Linux, the UK
based Linux distribution.

Below is a copy of the press release with details of the new release and
detailing the distribution agreement which means that Definite Linux will
now be available via retail channels and from PC resellers.

A copy of the press release is also available at
http://www.definitelinux.com/

Jason Clifford
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   Manchester, UK
   1st October 1999
   Press Release

   Definite Software announces the first UK supported Linux Distribution.
   Definite Software PLC today announced the UK release of Definite Linux
   version 7.0, a definitive stage in the development of Linux.

   Definite Linux, which is 100% Red Hat* Linux compatible is based on
   the latest version of the Linux kernel (2.2.12) and is completely up
   to date.  It is fully supported in the UK and includes free installation
   support in the price. It comes with 2user manuals / installation guides
   and all required documentation on CD-Rom.
  
   Definite Linux includes Star Office for personal or business use. Star
   Office is a complete office package for Linux, published by Sun
   Microsystems Inc. which includes a complete suite of office
   applications and has a high level of file compatibility with Microsoft
   Office products.
  
   Definite Software have also announced the launch of a white-box
   program for PC Builders to pre-install the complete Definite Linux
   system on their machines, together with a PC certification program
   including the production of PC specific installation scripts for the
   system builder.
  
   A sister company will produce a range of badged Definite Linux PC's
   which will be fully tested to be 100% Linux compatible and will come
   with 1 years on site hardware maintenance.
  
   Software Support Contracts are available from Definite Software,
   ranging from the free installation support included with the Official
   Retail boxed package, office hours telephone support contracts for
   businesses to 24 hour support 365 days a year for mission critical
   applications.
  
   Definite Software PLC is the first Linux Distribution company to offer
   a share option scheme for distributors of their products. Each copy of
   Definite linux sold will count towards an option scheme whereby
   dealers may be able to profit from the eventual success of the
   company.
  
   Products being released include:- Definite Linux Official Boxed Set
   =A339.99, Definite Linux Advanced Internet Server =A3149.99, Definite
   Linux Bookshelf =A329.99, Definite Linux White Box and a range of
   accessories including Mouse Mats, T-Shirts etc.
  
   Definite Software PLC have appointed CD-Rom Distribution PLC of
   Stockport, Cheshire UK as their exclusive distributor for the UK.
   CD-Rom Distribution have a proven track record with Linux products.
  
   For further information or review samples contact :
  
   Definite Software PLC
   Contact:   Lance Davis
   email:     lance@definitesoftware.com
   Telephone: +44 (0)161 477 8848
  
   CD-Rom Distribution PLC
   Contact:   Ian Birchenough
   email:     ianb@cdromd.com
   Telephone: +44 (0)161 477 4235
  
   Technical Enquiries
   Definite Software PLC
   Contact:   Jason Clifford
   email:     jason@definitesoftware.com
  
   Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds
  
   Redhat is a trademark of Red Hat software, inc.
  
   Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo, Star Office and the Star Office
   logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
   in the United States and other countries, and are used under license.
  
   Microsoft and Microsoft Office are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
  
   All other trademarks acknowledged.
  
   Definite Linux 7.0 Technical Details
  
   Definite Linux 7.0 continues and improves upon the excellence of
   Definite Linux.
  
   Built around version 2.2.12 of the Linux kernel with patches to
   improve speed and support for additional hardware including the DPT
   SmartRAID V controllers (which means that almost all hardware RAID
   controllers are now supported), Definite Linux 7.0 is completely up to
   date and offers everything you need to implement a powerful server or
   workstation.

   As a server platform Definite Linux excels, offering file and print
   services, directory services, web (including secure web), email, news,
   and even enterprise class fax and SQL database services.
  
   Just as you would expect of any true server platform, Definite Linux
   offers support for all the major server technologies and offers true
   ease of management with well designed utilities to manage the system
   both at the console and remotely, even including a web browser
   interface to all system management features. With improved SMP and
   RAID support your servers will be faster and more reliable than ever
   before.

   For those wanting to use Definite Linux as a workstation even more has
   been done to ensure that you have everything you need. The inclusion
   of XFree86 3.3.5 means that Definite Linux 7.0 supports most of the
   popular video cards including those from ATI, Matrox, Diamond, S3, Intel,
   SiS, and Video Logic to mention just a few of the vendors whose
   cards are supported. Support for 3D graphics cards is also including
   so your Voodoo, TNT, and 3D Labs cards can be fully utilised. Definite
   Linux features many choices for how to present your GUI desktop
   including old favourites such as FVWM and the increasingly popular
   Gnome and KDE complete desktop environments.
  
   Gnome 1.0 (with all the latest updates) offers a powerful and visually
   stimulating desktop with features such as drag and drop being
   standard. A host of powerful applications come as standard with Gnome
   including a word processor, a well featured spreadsheet, personal
   management utilities and a host of tools to allow to you manage your
   system from within this well integrated and presented GUI.
  
   With many games and multimedia utilities included you can play CDs,
   MP3s, .wav files while perfecting your solitaire skills.
  
   KDE version 1.1.1 offers many similar features and is also very
   visually pleasing.
  
   For the artistically inclined Definite Linux includes GIMP. GIMP
   allows you to be creative and manipulate images in numerous formats.
   Many GIMP users believe that it is far superior to commercial packages
   available on other platforms.
  
   One of the cornerstones of the Linux world is the Internet. Linux is
   developed and grew up on the Internet so it is fitting that Linux
   benefits from a wealth of Internet tools including Netscape
   Communicator 4.61, packages for managing your email and news, ftp
   client, irc clients and much more.

   Because Definite Linux is not produced in the USA we are free to
   implement strong cryptographic support. This means that Netscape
   Communicator supports full 128 bit encryption and a whole host of
   other utilities and tools such as PGP, GnuPG, OpenSSL, SSH and others.

   Definite Linux also includes the international cryptographic extensions
   to the kernel (not compiled in by default.)
  
   You can switch between the various GUI desktop choices easily and you
   can even share applications running on one system to others via the X
   Window system. You can choose whether to have your system start
   straight into the GUI environment or to boot into a powerful text
   based shell with the option to start the GUI still available to you.
  
   In addition to all of this Definite Linux comes with many extra
   packages that you can choose to install as options after the main
   installation. These include dozens of system and network management
   and security tools as well as games, development systems, graphics and
   rendering software, accounting software and much more.