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See also: last week's Distributions page.

Distributions


Please note that security updates from the various distributions are covered in the security section.

Embedded Systems: which distribution will you use?. LinuxDevices has announced the results from their survey, Which Linux distribution(s) will you use?. A large split showed up between the distributions that have been used for embedded systems up until now and the ones that people expect to use in the future. Currently, most embedded systems applications have apparently been built with Red Hat, Debian, Caldera or SuSE, with a three-way tie among Slackware, Mandrake, and RTLinux for fifth place. However, those same group of people gave a different mix for future applications: Red Hat (15%), Lineo Embedix (13%), PROSA ETLinux (10%), and Debian (9%), with Lynx BlueCat Linux and Caldera tied for fifth place (6%). That puts specialized embedded-systems versions of Linux at 29% of future applications, a large increase, particularly since most of these distributions have been announced within the past six months.

It appears that specialized distributions for embedded systems are being fairly warmly embraced. The embedded systems market has always been highly fragmented, with many, many different vendors competing with proprietary systems. Such a marketplace is probably also more easily willing to take on a less well-known vendor for a Linux distribution, particularly since the differences between Linux distributions is much smaller than between proprietary systems.

Caldera should be happy. Remembering that Lineo is derived from Caldera OpenLinux, the above figures show an actual overall win for Caldera.

Gentus, a new distribution from ABIT. ABIT Computer Corporation, a hardware manufacturer and retailer of "mainboards and video cards", has released its own distribution, Gentus (please note, this URL may crash Netscape -- it works with lynx or kfm). More information on the distribution can be found in this press release. The Gentus distribution is, as could be guessed, customized for ABIT's hardware. (Thanks to Marcus Lauer.)

More distributions out of China. We've previously listed and spoken of Red Flag Linux and XteamLinux, two Linux distributions out of China. Now, thanks to Pierre Goad, we have another two distributions to list: Tom Linux and BluePoint Linux.

Quoting from the website, "Tomlinux 1.0, oriented for the students and computer fans, debuts in its Chinese educational version now with brand-new Chinese KDE desktop. Besides bountiful network software and multimedia software attached, Tomlinux incorporates white-hot games, VCD player, C/C++ and Fortran compilers, word processor Kedit, and bilingual support. "

Since the BluePoint Linux website is only available in Chinese, Ambrose Li was kind enough to take a look and provide us an unofficial translation. Many thanks, Ambrose. "BluePoint Linux 1.0 runs on the Intel x86 platform. In addition to features found in other fine Linux distributions, BluePoint features extensive localization and internationalization features, especially those adapted to actual needs in the Chinese market."

Elfstone Linux. A company called Elfstone Software has turned up with a new distribution - Elfstone Linux, currently available in beta form. It claims to be "the most Unix-like of all commercial Linux distributions," and features a Motif-based GUI.

Bastille Linux

Bastille Linux 1.03. An updated version of Bastille has been announced. Bastille is really less a distribution than a hardening script for Red Hat Linux. The latest version has been updated to support Red Hat 6.1.

Corel Linux

Review of Corel Linux 1.0 (LinuxPower). LinuxPower has put up a review of Corel Linux 1.0. "I must also say that releasing a Glibc2.0 based distribution at this point in time is almost in itself enough to give the distribution thumbs down. It was okay at the time Debian made the release of their distribution, but it is not okay now."

Debian GNU/Linux

Debian Weekly News. This week's edition highlights packages in danger of being removed from the upcoming Debian release, including such mainstream packages as apache, fetchmail, gpm, and samba. February 28th is the deadline for their repair. Meanwhile, the Debian Leader elections have commenced and will close in two weeks.

Debian at CeBIT. Debian has put out a press release covering their planned activities at CeBIT. They have a major presence going, with four booths staffed with Debian people and several talks.

Debian-hurd kernel cousin. The February 16th edition of the debian-hurd kernel cousin mentions new regular IRC meetings, man, dpkg and a topic for the next Hurd user group.

Empire Linux

Empire Linux is a tiny Linux distribution that runs on a single floppy. It is based on LOAF (Linux on a Floppy) and is still in early development. Version 0.2 has just been announced.

Green Frog Linux

Green Frog Linux is a slightly larger Linux distribution, disk-based, intended for use by people who want to "roll their own distribution". The latest version, 0.5a (Pyonkichi), moves from exim to postfix for its default mailer, integrates the 2.2.13 kernel, and has a new installer.

Also from the same author, Pocket Linux is a "a branch of Green Frog Linux that is intended to be used on a NEC Mobile Gear (the i486 one) PDA" which is in alpha and recommended only for the very brave.

LibraNet

New version of Linux by Libranet. Libra Computer Systems announced the release of version 1.2 of the 'Linux By Libranet' distribution. LibraNet is a Debian-based distribution. The new version has updated kernel, Gnome and KDE packages, so is presumably based on the not-yet-released potato tree. An updated installer is included with the new version.

Linux Router Project

PCWeek Reviews Linux Router Project. PCWeek has published this review of the Linux Router Project. "The Linux Router Project code "is another, very slimmed-down distribution of Linux that is less than 2MB so that it will fit on one floppy disk," Berger said. As a result, it can function as a router or firewall when running just from a PC's floppy drive."

muLinux

muLinux 7r12b has been released. This is a minor update to the development branch. "muLinux (LLLLLinux, really) is a full-configured, minimalistic, almost complete, application-centric tiny distribution of Linux (2.0.36 modular kernel) made in Italy. muLinux resides on a single 1722K floppy. Works on PC 386-4M + swap space, and installs in RAM, UMSDOS, EXT2 & LOOP-EXT2. "

Red Hat Linux

Preview of Red Hat 6.2. A preview of Red Hat 6.2 has been provided by TheNewOS.com. "Ultimately 6.2beta's improvements over 6.1 seem largely to be in the form of bells and whistles."

Storm Linux

Storm Linux makes its debut at CeBIT 2000 this week.

SuSE Linux

CNET review: SuSE 6.3. CNET has put out a review of SuSE Linux 6.3. "The bottom line: The new YaST2 installer makes 6.3 better than SuSE 6.2, but it needs more polish to make it a good choice for new users. It's still a solid choice for enterprise users".

William Henning reviews SuSE 6.3. AboutLinux.com has a detailed review by reviewer extroadinaire, William Henning. He gives it an "Overall Grade: A Recommended". And the bottom line: "I would not hesitate to recommend SuSE 6.3 for people who are technically inclined. As long as you can follow the documentation you should not have any problems installing SuSE 6.3."

Section Editor: Liz Coolbaugh


February 24, 2000

Please note that not every distribution will show up every week. Only distributions with recent news to report will be listed.


Leading
Caldera OpenLinux
Debian GNU/Linux
Linux-Mandrake
Red Hat
Slackware
SuSE
TurboLinux

Also well-known
ASPLinux
Best Linux
Conectiva Linux
e-smith

Progeny
Rock Linux

Non-technical desktop
easyLinux
Icepack Linux
Independence
LibraNet
Redmond Linux
WinSlack

Education
Boston University
kmLinux
LinuxFromScratch
OpenClassroom
Red Escolar

General Purpose
Alzza Linux
aXon Linux
Bad Penguin Linux
BearOps
Black Cat Linux
BluePoint Linux
BYO Linux
CAEN Linux
Cafe Linux
ChainSaw Linux
Circle MUDLinux
cLIeNUX
Complete Linux
Console Linux
Corel Linux
CRUX
Darkstar Linux
DLite
easyLinux
Elfstone Linux
ESware Linux
Eurielec Linux
eXecutive Linux
Fried Chicken
FTOSX
FullPliant
Gentoo
Go!Linux
HA Linux
Halloween Linux
HispaFuentes
IceLinux
Ivrix
ix86 Linux
J-LINUX
JBLinux
Jurix
KRUD
KSI-Linux
Lanthan Linux
Laonux
LASER5
Leetnux
Linpus Linux
Linux Cyrillic Edition
Linux MLD
LinuxOne OS
LinuxPPP
Linux Pro Plus
Linux-SIS
LNX System
LoopLinux
LSD
Lute Linux
MageNet
Mastodon
MaxOS
minilinux
MSC.Linux

NoMad Linux
Omoikane GNU/Linux
PingOO Linux
Plamo Linux
PLD
Project Ballantain
PROSA
Rabid Squirrel
Repairlix
Root Linux
Scrudgeware
Serial Terminal
Sorcerer
spyLinux
Stampede
Stataboware
TechLinux
TimeSys Linux/RT
Tom Linux
Trinux
Turkuaz
Ute-Linux
VA-enhanced Red Hat
Vine Linux
Virtual Linux
WholeLinux
WinLinux 2000
XTeamLinux
ZipSpeak

Country-specific
Argentina
GNU/Linux Ututo
Britain
Definite Linux
Eridani
China
COSIX
Red Flag
France
Linux/MNIS
Italy
LinuxEspresso
Madeinlinux
Vedova
Spain
Linux Esware
Thailand
Kaiwal Linux
Thai Linux Extension

Related Projects
Chinese Linux Extension

Historical (Non-active)
Dualix
Gentus
Giotto
MCC Interim Linux
OS2000
Storm Linux


 

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