Slackware 8.0 is out!

[Gregory J.Neumann]

It seems NFLUG uses mostly Mandrake, but as  Slackware was my first and 
still preferred distro since an installation in 1994 on a 386/sx w/ 4 Meg 
of RAM and a 40 MB hd, I feel compelled to be the "Slackware evangelist" 
for today:  ;-)
What I like best about Slackware is that it has always installed on any 
old hardware configuration I can cobble together, and seeing as my own 
system at home is based on an AMD-486, that's a major concern!  Anyway, 
here's the promo.
Best regards,
Greg Neumann
_____________________________
Announcing Slackware Linux 8.0!

The first major release for 2001, Slackware Linux 8.0 continues the 
Slackware tradition of simplicity, stability, and security. It is the 
essential Linux distribution from the team that knows Linux inside and 
out. Among the many program updates and distribution enhancements, you'll 
find the two most advanced desktop environments available today: KDE 
2.1.1 (with Qt 2.3.1 providing support for anti-aliased fonts) and GNOME 
1.4 (with one of the largest collections of pre-compiled GNOME 
applications available). We include the stable Linux 2.2.19 kernel as 
well as the latest 2.4.5 Linux kernel, bringing you advanced performance 
features such as the ReiserFS journaling filesystem and kernel support 
for XFree86's DRI (the Direct Rendering Interface) that brings high-speed 
hardware accelerated 3D graphics to Linux.

>>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 8.0:

- Runs the 2.2.19 version of the Linux kernel from ftp.kernel.org

- Special kernels were prepared to support hardware such as ATA/66 and 
ATA/100 IDE controllers, SCSI cards, and even speech synthesizers 
providing access to Linux for the visually impaired community. The proven 
stability of the 2.2.x kernel series along with Slackware's track record 
of careful attention to system security make it the perfect choice for 
running your production servers.

- Also included is the 2.4.5 Linux kernel. The latest in the modern 
kernel branch, the 2.4.5 provides advanced features and hardware support 
not available in 2.2.19 such as hardware accelerated 3D graphics under 
XFree86 4.1.0, journaling filesystem support (providing fast and reliable 
recovery in the event of a power failure), and iptables packet filtering 
support.

- Generic IDE (bare.i) and SCSI (scsi.s) boot images work with nearly all 
Intel-based (and compatible) computer systems. Additional precompiled 
kernels (69 varieties in all) and boot images provide specialized support 
for hardware such as Adaptec SCSI controllers, parallel-port IDE devices, 
IBM PS/2 machines with the Microchannel bus, Symmetrical Multiprocessing 
machines, ATA/100 controllers and disk support, and much much more.

- System binaries linked with the GNU C Library, version 2.2.3 
(glibc-2.2.3)

- XFree86 4.1.0
This version of XFree86 represents a major re-design, and brings with it 
many greatly anticipated new features, most notably support for hardware 
accelerated graphics using the Direct Rendering Interface supported by 
the 2.4.5 Linux kernel. The 3D performance rockets past anything you've 
ever seen before. Gamers, get ready. :)

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

- Installs gcc-2.95.3 as the default C, C++, Objective-C and Fortran-77 
compiler. egcs-1.1.2 is also included (this can be useful for compiling 
older kernels). Also included is the recently released gcc-3.0.

- Support for fully encrypted network connections with OpenSSL and 
OpenSSH.

- Apache 1.3.20 web server with Dynamic Shared Object (DSO) support, SSL, 
and PHP (pre-configured to run right out of the box)

- PCMCIA, CardBus, and APM support for laptops. (pcmcia-cs-3.1.26)

- New development tools, including Perl 5.6.1, Python 2.0.1, and 
graphical tools like Qt designer, KDevelop, and Glade.

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

- Web browsers galore! Includes Netscape Communicator version 4.77, 
Konqueror 2.1.1, Mozilla 0.9.1, and galeon 0.11.0.

- The complete K Desktop Environment (KDE) version 2.1.1, including the 
KOffice productivity suite, networking tools, GUI development with 
KDevelop, multimedia tools, the Konqueror web browser and filemanager, 
dozens of games and utilities, international language support, and more.

- The GNU Network Object Model Environment (GNOME) 1.4. Includes a full 
range of GNOME packages such as: abi-0.7.14-2, control-center-1.4.0.1, 
gdm-2.2.2.1, glade-0.6.2, glib-1.2.10, gnome-audio-1.4.0, 
gnome-games-1.4.0.1, gnome-applets-1.4.0.1, gnome-core-1.4.0.4, 
gnome-media-1.2.3, gnome-pim-1.4.0, gnome-libs-1.2.13, gnome-print-0.29, 
gnome-utils-1.4.0.1, gnome-python-1.4.1, gtk+-1.2.10, sawfish-0.38, 
gnome-user-docs-1.4.1, gimp-1.2.1, gnumeric-0.65, gedit-0.9.6, 
gftp-2.0.8, pan-0.9.7, xchat-1.6.4, xmms-1.2.5, xscreensaver-3.32, 
galeon-0.11.0, gtm-0.4.9, mozilla-0.9.1, nautilus-1.0.3, gnomeicu-0.96.1, 
and many more.  This is the most up-to-date GNOME collection available 
from any source.

- Large repository of contributed software compiled and ready to run. 
This includes various window managers, support for 3Dfx gaming cards, 
XFree86 3.3.6 servers to support older hardware, OpenMotif-2.1.30, 
XEmacs, gcc-3.0, ISDN support, and much more (see the /contrib 
directory).

- Many more improved and upgraded packages, including: devfsd-v1.3.11, 
e2fsprogs-1.22, kbd-1.06, lilo-21.7.5, modutils-2.4.6, 
reiserfsprogs-3.x.0j, tcsh-6.10, util-linux-2.11f, apsfilter-6.1.1, 
cdparanoia-III-alpha9.8, cdrdao-1.1.5, cdrtools-1.10, ispell-3.2.03, 
joe-2.9.5, the K shell (ksh), mysql-3.23.39, Ogg Vorbis utilities, 
raidtools-19990824-0.90, rpm-4.0.2, screen-3.9.9, sudo-1.6.3p7, vim-5.8, 
zsh-4.0.1, autoconf-2.50, automake-1.4-p4, bin86-0.15.5, 
binutils-2.11.90.0.19, cvs-1.11.1p1, gcc-2.95.3, gcl-2.4.0, 
gettext-0.10.38, glibc-2.2.3, libpng-1.0.11, libtool-1.4, perl-5.6.1, 
Python-2.0.1, slang-1.4.3, svgalib-1.4.3, autofs-3.1.7, bind-9.1.2, 
epic4-1.0.1, fetchmail-5.8.6, inn-2.3.2, iptables-1.2.2, php-4.0.5, 
mod_ssl-2.8.4-1.3.20, mutt-1.2.5i, ntp-4.0.99k23, openssl-0.9.6a, 
openssh-2.9p1, pine4.33, ppp-2.4.1, proftpd-1.2.2rc3, rsync-2.4.6, 
samba-2.2.0a, sendmail.8.11.4, procmail-3.15.1, tcpdump-3.6.1, 
pidentd-3.0.12, tin-1.5.8, wget-1.7, yp-tools-2.5, ypserv-1.3.12, 
expect-5.32.1, tcl8.3.3, tclx8.3, tk8.3.3, lesstif-0.92.32, fvwm-2.2.5, 
xlockmore-5.00, and many more.

- Installs to a native Linux 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 optionis 
the fastest, _easiest_ Linux installation ever. ZipSlack provides a basic 
text-based Linux system as a 36 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. The 
ZipSlack installation includes everything you need to network with Linux 
(including Ethernet, token ring, SLIP and PPP), develop Linux 
applications with C and C++, and extend the system with additional 
software packages such as X. A ZipSlack system will even fit on a Zip(TM) 
disk, so you can carry a personal Linux system with you to run on any PC 
with a Zip(TM) drive.


HOW TO DOWNLOAD SLACKWARE:

The full version of Slackware Linux 8.0 is available for free download 
from the central Slackware site hosted by SourceForge:

ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-8.0/

The ZipSlack version of Slackware can be downloaded from:

ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-8.0/zipslack/


OFFICIAL SLACKWARE CDROM SET:

Or, purchase the Slackware Linux 8.0 four CDROM set from Slackware Linux, 
and help support the Slackware project!

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 ZipSlack edition of Slackware Linux 8.0.
- The entire source code used to build Slackware Linux 8.0.
- Technical support via our online web discussion forum.

The price for the Slackware Linux CDROM set is $39.95 plus shipping.

Slackware Linux is also available by subscription. When we release a new 
version of Slackware (which is typically once or twice a year) 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:

You can order online at the new Slackware Linux store:
http://store.slackware.com

Email orders and reseller information:
info at slackware.com

Or, send a check or money order to:

Slackware Linux, Inc.
1647 Willow Pass Road, Box 402
Concord, CA 94520

USA


Have fun! :^)

---
Patrick J. Volkerding 
Logan Johnson 
Chris Lumens 
David Cantrell 

Visit Slackware on the web at http://www.slackware.com !