IT.SOFT 25/ITSOFTCD_25.iso/pc/announce.txt

Text File | 1999-05-22 | 7.8 KB | 187 lines

Announcing Slackware Linux 4.0!

Check it, yo.  Nearly six months in the making, the latest version of the
longest running Linux distribution is now available.  Sporting the long-
awaited 2.2 Linux kernel, the K Desktop Environment, and the latest version
of XFree86, Slackware 4.0 is our most advanced *and* user-friendly release
ever.

From the beginning, Slackware has offered a stable and secure Linux
distribution for UNIX veterans, as well as an easy-to-use system for
beginners.  Slackware includes everything you'll need to run a powerful
server or workstation.  Each Slackware package follows the setup and
installation instructions from its author(s), offering you the most stable
and easily expandable setup.

Here are some of the advanced features of Slackware 4.0:

- Runs the 2.2.6 version of the Linux kernel from ftp.kernel.org

- Generic IDE (bare.i) and SCSI (scsi.s) boot images work work with nearly
     all Intel-based (and compatible) computer systems.  Additional
     precompiled kernels (62 varieties in all) and boot images provide
     specialized support for hardware such as new Adaptec aic7xxx 7890 SCSI
     controllers, parallel-port IDE devices, IBM PS/2 machines with the
     Microchannel bus, SGI Visual Workstations, Symmetrical Multiprocessing
     machines, and much much more.

- Includes additional bootdisks, precompiled kernels, and source for the
  2.2.7 kernel, for those who need its features.

- Slackware 3.9 available for those wishing to continue to run a 2.0 kernel
  based distribution (Slackware 3.9 is a special edition of Slackware 4.0
  that uses the 2.0.37pre10 kernel and the necessary modules and utilities
  to run a 2.0 kernel).

- System binaries linked with the stable libc5 C libraries, version 5.4.46.

- Includes glibc-2.0.7pre6 shared libraries for glibc binary runtime support.

- Latest GNU releases of /bin/true and /bin/false

- XFree86 3.3.3 patch 1, plus X servers for Neomagic and Intel i740 chipsets.

- GhostScript and APS-filter included to support many common PC printers.
  Among these are:
     HP670, HP690, HP850, HP855, HP870, HP890, HP1100 and HP1600

- A complete, robust, and scalable solution for your enterprise-wide
  computing needs.

- Installs both egcs-1.1.2 and gcc-2.7.2.3 compilers to provide a more
     flexible development environment.  By default, C code compiles with gcc,
     C++ code compiles with egcs (or specify your own site-wide defaults by
     setting the 'gcc' and 'g++' links in /usr/bin).  There's also an
     optional gcc-2.8.1.tgz binary package.

- Apache 1.3.6 web server with Dynamic Shared Object (DSO) support
  pre-configured to run right out of the box.

- PCMCIA, CardBus, and APM support for laptops. (pcmcia-cs-3.0.9)

- New development tools (autoconf and automake) as well as the LinuxThreads
  libraries are now available.

- GIMP 1.0.4 image manipulation program. (with gtk+-1.2.2 libraries compiled
  with multithreaded support enabled)

- Keeps your breath smelling minty fresh.  ;)

- Includes Netscape Communicator version 4.51.

- The K Desktop Environment version 1.1.1 is fully integrated into the
  Slackware distribution.

- Updated versions of the Slackware package management tools, making it
  easy to add, remove, upgrade, and make your own Slackware packages.

- Large repository of contributed software compiled and ready to run. This
  includes GNOME 1.0, various window managers, bash 2.02, support for 3Dfx
  gaming cards, JDK, and more (see /contrib).

- Many more improved and upgraded packages, including:
     apmd_3.0beta3-2, bzip2-0.9.0b, cdrecord-1.6.1, cvs-1.10, e2fsprogs-1.14,
     emacs-20.3, fetchmail-4.6.3, gpm-1.14, gv-3.5.8, ibcs-2.1-981105,
     ipchains-1.3.8, jdk_1.1.7-v1a, libgr-2.0.13, loadlin-1.6a, pciutils-1.10,
     man-pages-1.23, minicom-1.82-3, modutils-2.1.121, net-tools-1.52,
     netkit-routed-0.12, nfs-server-2.2beta40, perl-5.005_03, pidentd-2.8.3,
     pine 4.10, procmail-3.13.1, procps-2.0.2, procinfo-16, python-1.5.1,
     Qt-1.44, rpm2targz, samba-2.0.3, sendmail-8.9.3, shadow-990307,
     svgalib-1.3.1, kde-1.1.1

- Installs to a native Linux (ext2fs) partition for maximum performance, or
     into a \LINUX directory on an existing Windows FAT/FAT32 partition using
     the Linux UMSDOS filesystem.  With UMSDOS, you can install a complete
     Linux system without repartitioning your hard drive!

- Another Slackware exclusive:  Slackware's ZipSlack installation option is
     the fastest, _easiest_ Linux installation ever.  ZipSlack provides a
     full-featured text-based Linux system as a 37 megabyte ZIP archive.
     Simply unzip on any FAT or FAT32 partition, edit your boot partition in
     the LINUX.BAT batch file, and you can be running Linux in less than five
     minutes.  Even boots on machines with only 4MB of RAM.  The ZipSlack
     installation includes everything you need to network with Linux
     (including Ethernet, token ring, SLIP and PPP), develop Linux
     applications with C, C++, and Perl, and extend the system with additional
     software packages such as X.  A ZipSlack system will even fit on a Zip
     disk, so you can carry a personal Linux system with you to run on any
     PC with a Zip drive.


HOW TO DOWNLOAD SLACKWARE:

The full version of Slackware Linux 4.0 is available for free download from
the central Slackware site at Walnut Creek CDROM:

   ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/linux/slackware-4.0/

The ZipSlack version of Slackware is also available from Walnut Creek CDROM:

   ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/linux/slackware-4.0/zipslack/

A list of alternate download sites (which may take a few days to catch up)
can be found here:

   ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/linux/slackware-4.0/MIRRORS.TXT


OFFICIAL SLACKWARE CDROM SET:

Or, purchase the Slackware Linux 4.0 four CDROM set from Walnut Creek CDROM.
This is the official release of Slackware on CDROM, and has many enhanced
features, including:

 -  Easy bootable CDROM installation.  If your machine can boot a CDROM,
       just boot the first disc to begin the installation process.
 -  Fully installed bootable live CDROM -- just boot the second disc and
       run a full Linux system right off the disc, including networking,
       development, and X with no installation necessary.  Makes the
       ultimate Linux rescue disc!
 -  The latest GNU archives from prep.ai.mit.edu.
 -  A full CDROM of Linux archives, including binaries and source code
       for hundreds of additional applications and utilities.
 -  Technical support via telephone or email.

The price for the Slackware Linux CDROM set is $39.95 plus shipping.
Slackware is also available by subscription -- we produce an updated Slackware
Linux set about every five months.  When we have a new version we ship it to
you and bill your credit card $24.95 plus shipping.  Shipping is $5 in the USA,
Canada, and Mexico for First Class.  Overseas is $9 PER ORDER.  There is an
additional $3 COD charge (USA Only).  UPS Blue Label (2nd day) [USA Only] is
$10 PER ORDER, UPS Red Label (next day) [USA Only] is $15 PER ORDER.  Federal
Express (next day) [USA Only] is $20 PER ORDER.

Ordering Information:

   From our web site:
     http://www.cdrom.com

   Telephone orders:
      1 800 786-9907 (24 hour toll free Sales)
     [phone] (24 hour sales)
     [phone] (9-5 M-F tech support)
     [phone] (FAX)

   Email orders:
     [e-mail]  (For placing an order)
     [e-mail]    (For requesting more information or
                        for customer service questions)
     [e-mail] (For technical questions and support)

   Or, send a check or money order to:

     Walnut Creek CDROM
     4041 Pike Lane, Suite F
     Concord, CA 94520
     USA


Have fun! :^)

---
Patrick J. Volkerding    <[e-mail]>
David Cantrell           <[e-mail]>
Logan Johnson            <[e-mail]>
Visit Slackware on the web at http://www.slackware.com!