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.
The BOGUS Group
BOGUS is an unsupported, ftp-able distribution targeted at competent Linux hackers who want a stable development system. If you do not have experience developing, installing, and maintaining a Linux system, BOGUS is probably not for you.
BOGUS is a "bootstrapping" release: all of the patches needed to compile the complete system are provided, including explicit instructions on how we did the compilation. Indeed, the final build is totally automatic, and required the user to invoke a single command.
BOGUS has many other features, but the inclusion of pristine source, detailed patches, and a utility to support automatic patch application and compilation is the most important feature of BOGUS. For more information and a complete list of features, license restrictions, and other details, please see the Announce-BOGUS-* files at the ftp sites.
We hope to have a new, ELF-based release available by early summer 1996. As with BOGUS 1.x, this new release will provide a stable applications development platform. It will continue to use the "pristine source + patches" paradigm that was introduced with BOGUS 1.0 in July 1994, but with enhanced tools and package tracking support.
The following sites are official mirror sites for the BOGUS release:
BOGUS 1.0.1 is also available on the Trans-Ameritech Systems "Linux Plus BSD CD-ROM"; see the Trans=Ameritech entry below.
To join the BOGUS mailing list, send mail to majordomo@cs.unc.edu with "subscribe linux-bogus" in the body of the message (i.e., not in the subject). When you do this, make sure that you have a valid return address -- many people who set up a mailer for the first time have a return address which looks like joe@pizza instead of joe@pizza.cs.unc.edu. If you interact with the majordomo server successfully, you will receive mail. If you don't receive mail in about an hour, please don't continue to use the majordomo server as test bed.
Please note that the BOGUS release is COMPLETELY UNSUPPORTED: mail sent to the mailing list may not be answered, bugs may not be fixed, and it may be quite a while before there is another BOGUS release.
Dr. A.V. LeBlanc, the originator of MCC Interim Linux, comments: "BOGUS is a particularly well-designed release, and one which I feel is not sufficiently appreciated."
October 1994.
25 November 1995
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
Craftworks Linux v2.0 is a commercial distribution of Linux. 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.
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 v2.0 package includes:
Updates between releases are found in ftp://ftp.craftwork.com/pub/v2.0. FAQs and up-to-date product information http://www.craftwork.com.
Directly from Craftwork Solutions, Inc. or from distributors and stores. Suggested retail price $90.00 domestic, $140.00 international. Intel (80386/486/Pentium) version; DEC Alpha will be available 2Q96. Discounts available to dealers and educational institutions.
Craftwork Solutions, Inc. provides 30 days support with each copy. Longer term support as well as special projects support available.
The CRAFT-1.0 specification is available from http://www.craftwork.com. It includes a complete component listing for the distribution.
15 November 1995.
25 January 1996.
Ian A. Murdock
The Debian Linux Association
Station 11
P.O. Box 3121
West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
Net:
imurdock@gnu.ai.mit.edu
WWW:
http://www.debian.org/
FTP:
ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/info
Debian GNU/Linux is a complete and fully-functional Unix-compatible operating system for the personal computer--specifically, the IBM PC and compatibles. Essentially, it is a preliminary release of the GNU operating system, integrating the finished parts of GNU with the Linux kernel and completing the system with freely redistributable software from a number of different sources and systems, including 4.4BSD-Lite. It is intended to be a freely redistributable replacement for commercial operating systems, but it can be used alongside MS-DOS, OS/2, Unix, etc. and can even reside on the same hard disk with them.
For more information about Debian GNU/Linux, please refer to the files at ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/info in the directory or visit our World Wide Web page at http://www.debian.org/.
Debian GNU/Linux is available via anonymous FTP from ftp.debian.org/debian,
23 November 1995
The Debian distribution is currently under development by a ``semi-closed'' group of developers (rather then an individual) and has been adopted as the Free Software Foundation's Linux distribution.
Dr. A. V. Le Blanc
University of Manchester
Net:
LeBlanc@mcc.ac.uk
FTP:
ftp://ftp.mcc.ac.uk
Base Linux installation. Complete sources and
patches for all included software are available. Full details vary
from release to release; see
/pub/linux/mcc-interim/*/Acknowledgements at
ftp.mcc.ac.uk. Roughly: this includes the kernel (with source),
C, C++, groff, man pages, basic utilities, networking. The binaries
fit on about 10 floppies. It is also possible to have them on a DOS
or Linux partition on a hard drive (plus one floppy) or on an
NFS-mountable partition (plus two floppies).
By anonymous ftp from ftp.mcc.ac.uk; mirrored
at tsx-11.mit.edu, nic.funet.fi, sunsite.unc.edu, and
elsewhere. At ftp.mcc.ac.uk, in /pub/linux/mcc-interim.
Suggestions and contributions are welcome.
Unknown. New releases approximately every six months.
15 May 1995
The current MCC-Interim release is based on Linux 1.0 with a few patches. If you are one of those people who demands to be on top of the current release, this release isn't for you. However, if you're looking for a small and stable Linux system, this makes a good starting point.
Dr. LeBlanc adds: "And if you do demand to be on top of the current release, you can get there from MCC Interim quite easily. For example, to upgrade to the current kernel you need only the kernel sources, bdflush, and a new version of procps. Of course, you will probably want other things as well... One of the big disadvantages of MCC is that it doesn't include X or packages that many people want, such as perl or tck/tk. Strictly speaking, the distribution has always been intended for internal use at MCC, and the fact that many people find it useful is serendipitous. Less strictly speaking, I would say that it works better for developers than for people who know nothing about Unix. I recommend the simpler commercial distributions and Bogus to people who know nothing.
Red Hat Software
P.O. Box 3364
Westport, CT 06880
Vox: (800) 546-7274 or (203) 454-5500
Fax: (203) 454-2582
Net:
redhat@redhat.com
WWW:
http://www.redhat.com
FTP:
http://ftp.redhat.com
Red Hat 2.1 is an update to Red Hat 2.0, a complete rewrite of the acclaimed Red Hat Mother's Day distribution. It is a completely ELF based system; if you have been putting off the upgrade to ELF, or have been having trouble upgrading a piece at a time, Red Hat 2.1 can save you the trouble.
Four installation innovations make Red Hat 2.1 the easiest Linux to install ever. Our new 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 2.1 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.
There's a Red Hat version available for the DEC Alpha as well as Intel machines.
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 $49.95.
1 Nov 1995 (2.1 release)
31 November 1996.
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.
Trans-Ameritech
2342A Walsh Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Net:
info@trans-am.com
order@trans-am.com
WWW: http://www.zoom.com/tae
Vox: (408)-727-3883
Fax: (408)-727-3882
BBS: (408)980-9840
Trans-Ameritech has published 8 releases of Linux by the end of 95. 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 intersted in learning Unix as well as technical people, students and home PC users.
Many applications are included:
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 conversation. 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 386 BSD sources are provided on Supplement 4.
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.
The price for our current release of LinuxWare 2.5 is $19.95
The price for a package order: LinuxWare 2.5,Supplement 3 and Supplement 4 (Ultimate LinuxWare Bundle) in one shipment is $30
The book "Running Linux"- a 550 page comprehensive Linux tutorial by Matt Welsh is $20
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).If you would like to order CD-ROM with the book,shipping is $8(UPS ground).
Overseas shipping is $8 for single CD-ROM , $12 for the bundle and $25 for the bundle plus the book.
COD is available in the US only for $4.50. California residents, please add 7.75% sales tax.
Annual subscription (4 releases) are 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.
If you have any further questions,please contact us through E-mail: info@trans-am.com or order@trans-am.com.
September 1995
29 November 1995.
Walnut Creek CDROM 4041 Pike Lane, Suite D Concord, CA 94520
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 3.0. The current disc contains kernels 1.2.13 and 1.3.18 as well as Elf Binaries.
Slackware Linux is a full featured distribution of the Linux operating system designed for 386/486 computers with a 3.5" floppy. Slackware changes rapidly, but here's a current (partial) feature list:
Base Linux system
Various applications that do not need X
Program Development (C, C++, Kernel source, Lisp, Perl, etc.)
GNU Emacs (19.29, with and without X11 support. Your choice.)
FAQ lists
Info pages.
Interviews: libraries, include files, Doc and Idraw apps for X
Networking (TCP/IP, UUCP, Mail)
Object Oriented Programming (GNU Smalltalk) and X11 interface
All kinds of extra kernels
TeX
Tcl/Tk/TclX, Tcl language, and Tk toolkit for developing X apps
XFree-86 3.1 Base X Window System
Applications for X
XFree-86 3.1 X server development, PEX extensions, and man pages
XView3.2p1-X11R6. (OpenLook
Games (that do not require X)
WWW: http://www.cdrom.com/titles/slackware.html FTP: ftp.cdrom.com/pub/slackware
The cost of the CD-ROM set from Walnut Creek is $39.95.
A lot of second- and third-tier commercial Linuxes are re-packagings of Slackware (see the Re-Packagers section below.
September 1995.
23 November 1995.
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
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 the latest versions of every primary Linux distribution we can get our hands on, as well as all the latest Linux software. 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 is a professionally produced and printed manual containing the Linux documentation project and more!
Look in ftp://ftp.wgs.com/pub2/wgs/Filelist for a list of WGS products, and latest information on the CD-ROM.
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, and MasterCard, or purchase orders with approval of credit.
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!
Unknown.
25 November 1995.
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
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.
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.
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, Kernel Hacker'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.
Mid-August 1995.
31 January 1996
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.