From: d...@redhat.com (Donnie Barnes)
Subject: SPARC/Linux Now Available!
Date: 1996/10/04
Message-ID: <slrn558te9.dn9.djb@redhat.com>
X-Deja-AN: 187502568
organization: Red Hat Software
newsgroups: comp.sys.sun.wanted


Since people post Solaris and SunOS forsale here...



Those wacky kids at Red Hat Software have done it again...

                Announcing Red Hat Linux - Release 4.0
                    for Intel, Alpha and Sparc !!

  Yikes, three platforms as once!  Our hard drives are hurting, our
  bits are burning, our net is numb, our processors are passing out!

       Help make our parents happy by downloading it now from:

              ftp://ftp.redhat.com/pub/redhat/redhat-4.0

                   now coming at you via two T1's!

       (Of course our parents would be *really* pleased if you
          bought a CD-ROM - see the press release below. :-)

===========================================================================

October 3, 1996

Durham, NC -- Red Hat Software, Inc. is pleased to announce the
availability of Red Hat Linux release 4.0 for Intel, Alpha and Sparc
computers.  This release is the first synchronized release of *any*
operating system for these three platforms, and represents a huge leap
in reducing your administrative and support costs for your
heterogeneous network.  This release offers many substantial
improvements over previous releases, including additional hardware
support, simplified installation, rewritten network configuration
tools, dramatic performance improvements, and many more.

NEW FEATURES IN RED HAT LINUX 4.0
---------------------------------

. Modular 2.0.18 kernel.
  One kernel for all hardware, support for much more hardware. 
  Kernel is distributed as an RPM package.  This means that to upgrade
  the kernel you only need to upgrade the kernel RPM package, which is
  just a single command.

. Only one installation floppy! 
  Two for PCMCIA and FTP installs.
  Both floppies are included in the Official Red Hat Linux/Intel
  boxed set product.

. Easier installation. 
  Smarter network configuration, full "cancel" ability, simpler package
  selection, package descriptions available during install, much faster.

. New version of RPM.
  RPM 2.2.5 includes dependencies, improved PGP/MD5/size signature
  capability, dependencies, more powerful querying, dependencies,
  improved multi- arch/os handling, dependencies, relocatable packages,
  dependencies, support for building and installing packages as non-root.
  Did I mention dependencies?

. Improved X Windows support.
  Easier X Windows configuration.  Just pick your video card and
  monitor from the provided lists and you are done.
  Latest MetroLink X server 3.1.2 (Only available with the Official
  Red Hat Linux/Intel boxed set.)

. Expanded Red Hat Linux User's Guide.
  236 pages of installation and configuration information.
  Expanded coverage of the control-panel tools.
  Includes MetroLink X server configuration information.
  The User's Guide is now available via FTP under the same terms
  as the LDP documentation!  It is also browsable on our web site!

. Improved network configuration.
  New graphical network configuration control panel tool.  Allows for
  simple configuration of PPP and SLIP network connections.  Makes it
  simple to move your machine between networks, add ethernet cards, etc.

. Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM).
  PAM is used throughout for increased system security and configurability.
  Shadow password support (and groundwork for future support of "long"
  passwords, MD5 passwords, and other authentication schemes).

. Red Baron secure web browser.
  Supports forms, frames, SSL, SET.  Faster than Netscape!
  (Only available on Official Red Hat Linux/Intel boxed set.)

. Upgrades and Fixes.
  Over 180 updated packages, and over 60 new packages.  The full package
  list is available at http://www.redhat.com.
  Many, many, many security fixes -- most of which are not available
  on other UNIX/Linux systems.

===========================================================================

FEATURES OF RED HAT LINUX 4.0
-----------------------------

* Installation

Our third generation installation system is easier to use than ever.
By presenting simple fill in the blank forms, and applying intelligent
automation to network, package, and module configuration, the system
relieves you of the most tedious and most troublesome aspects of
installation.  Installation is supported via CD-ROM, NFS, FTP, hard
drive partition, and has seamless PCMCIA support.

* Package Management

The RPM package system is designed to be powerful yet easy to use.
These design features, along with smart config file handling across
package upgrades, "shared" file handling, documentation searching
support, package installation via FTP, dependencies, and powerful
querying, make RPM the most advanced package system available.

With our graphical package manager Glint you can track every package
installed on your system, and all packages available on the CD-ROM.
You can examine package descriptions and file contents before you
install them.  With a few mouse button clicks you can install,
uninstall, list and verify all installed packages.  No other
installation system comes close.

* Configuration Tools

The Red Hat control panel tools cover configuration of your network,
printer, filesystem, users and groups, SysV init, time and date, and
modem.  PPP and SLIP configuration has never been easier!

* Compatibility between Linux Platforms

The Red Hat Linux 4.0 for Intel, Alpha and Sparc products are built
from the exact same source packages.  This ensures maximum ease of
software portability between machines running Red Hat Linux regardless
of the underlying hardware architecture.  In addition, your investment
in configuration of Red Hat Linux will pay off on all three platforms.

* License Terms

Red Hat Linux is distributed under the terms of the GPL, and is
freely available from our FTP site, and dozens of mirrors.  For
the first time, the Red Hat Linux User's Guide is also available
freely, under the terms of the LDP license!

===========================================================================

STANDARDS, TESTING, AND RED HAT LINUX
-------------------------------------

Red Hat Linux continues to track both Linux and UNIX industry
standards closely.  Red Hat Linux conforms to the Linux file system
standard: FSSTND, and tracks many other Linux and UNIX standards.

Testing is probably Linux's greatest strength and the origin of its
remarkable stability for most applications, and Red Hat Linux benefits
from this.  The truly open development model followed by Linus
Torvalds and the Linux development community allows new releases of
the kernel, components, and distributions to be tested by hundreds of
thousands of users. Their access to everything at little or no cost,
including full source code, off many sites on the Internet enables
anyone to contribute to further development by not just reporting bugs
but contributing patches.

Red Hat Linux depends on this open development model.  We post Red Hat
Linux as "freely redistributable" software for free download off of many
sites on the Internet, and we are grateful for the valuable assistance
we receive.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has decided
to stop charging for their POSIX Conformance Test Suite 151-2, in
hopes that the POSIX standard may be more broadly applied.  Red Hat
Software applauds the move, and has obtained the suites for
consideration.  We would encourage all Linux developers to take
advantage of this development.  Comments and questions can be directed
to Martha Gray <g...@sst.ncsl.nist.gov> at NIST.

A STABLE SOFTWARE PLATFORM AND A RAPIDLY EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY
------------------------------------------------------------

Red Hat's software packaging scheme (RPM) provides the reliable and
consistent installation on a stable environment that ISV's are looking
for, and yet allows for a flexible environment for further Linux
development.

RPM's advanced software packaging features enable RPM packaged
software to be installed easily and correctly on any Red Hat Linux
platform.  Running older software versions on a new release of Red Hat
Linux is generally reliable and trouble free.

FREELY REDISTRIBUTABLE SOFTWARE
-------------------------------

Red Hat Linux is released as freely redistributable software under the
terms of the GPL.  This allows anyone to use Linux without restriction
and to contribute to Linux development.  It also prevents anyone or
any corporation from restricting access to Linux or Linux source code.
Commercially licensed software can be ported to Linux while
maintaining the license terms that the author uses for any other
platform.

===========================================================================

RPM - RED HAT PACKAGE MANAGER
-----------------------------

After installing Red Hat Linux once, you will never need to reinstall
Linux again!  Our RPM packaging system is sophisticated enough to
allow upgrading to new Red Hat Linux releases without reinstalling
your system - no partitioning, no backing up all your files, no
headaches.

Red Hat Linux 4.0 is built on a third generation packaging system
called RPM.  The RPM system features include smart configuration file
handling across package upgrades, "shared" file handling,
documentation searching support, and package installation via FTP.
You can install, uninstall, query, verify, and upgrade individual RPM
packages.

The Red Hat Software web site, http://www.redhat.com, contains more
information on RPM and the RPM-HOWTO, which describes how to use RPM
and build your own RPM packages.

A graphical package management tool called GLINT allows you to quickly
and easily manage and track your system.  It displays a hierarchy of
packages represented by individual package icons, and displays
progress meters during installation.

We are releasing RPM under the terms of the GPL and we would like to
encourage everyone to use it to package their software.  You can get 
RPM separately from Red Hat Linux from our FTP site.

PRISTINE SOURCES
----------------

An important element of the design of Red Hat Linux is our commitment
to the concept of "pristine sources".  Our RPM source packages include
pristine, untouched sources, as well as patches and a control file
which defines the building and packaging process.  It enables us to
work with other members of the Linux development community easily and
effectively by clearly separating and documenting the code that they
contribute from any modifications that are required by Red Hat Linux.

===========================================================================

FTP AVAILABILITY
----------------

Red Hat Linux is available for the Intel, Alpha, and Sparc on our
FTP site:

    ftp://ftp.redhat.com/pub/redhat/redhat-4.0

Many sites mirror the Red Hat FTP site, and may give you much better
performance.  A list of these mirrors is at:

    ftp://ftp.redhat.com/pub/MIRRORS

(Note that the Metro X server, Red Baron and Grail are not available
 via FTP.  These packages are only available with the full boxed set
 product.)

RED HAT SOFTWARE WEB SITE
-------------------------

The Red Hat Software web site, http://www.redhat.com, contains a
wealth of helpful information, as well as a web-based ordering system
for all our products.

Of particular interest is the support section of the web site, which
includes archives of our mailing lists, errata, Red Hat TIPS, the LDP
documentation, and lots more.  See http://www.redhat.com/support.

UPGRADING AND EXCHANGE POLICIES
-------------------------------

All previous releases of Red Hat Linux (2.0, 2.1, 3.0.3) can be
upgraded in place (without reformatting or repartitioning).  For
those who want to upgrade, but do not want to purchase the full
boxed set, the Red Hat Linux Archives 4 CD-ROM set is the right
choice.  Red Hat Linux for the Intel and Alpha are both available
on the Archives (Metro X, Red Baron, and Grail are only available
with the full boxed set).

Exchange and upgrade policies for those who purchased 3.0.3 recently
are best addressed by the vendor of your product.  If you purchased it
directly from Red Hat Software, contact the sales office at:

phone: (800) 546-7274 or (203) 454-5500
  fax: (919) 572-6726
email: sa...@redhat.com

The sales folks have the answers and will be able to help you.

===========================================================================

PRODUCTS AND ORDERING INFORMATION
---------------------------------

+ Official Red Hat Linux/Intel Boxed Set                $ 49.95
+ Official Red Hat Linux/Alpha Boxed Set                $ 99.95
+ Official Red Hat Linux/Sparc Boxed Set                $ 99.95
+ Red Hat Linux Archives 4 CD-ROM set                   $ 29.95

+ Applixware for Red Hat Linux (Student Edition)        $ 79.95
+ Applixware for Red Hat Linux (Developer Edition)      $495.00
              !! Special Price, October Only !! ------> $199.00
+ Red Hat Motif CD-ROM with Motif User's Guide          $149.00
+ Red Hat Linux Library CD-ROM                          $ 29.95 


+ Red Hat Linux User's Guide (236 pages)                $ 14.95
+ Dr. Linux 1,700 page reference book                   $ 39.95
+ Linux Man Pages                                       $ 29.95

All prices are in US dollars.

You can order on the web at http://www.redhat.com or by calling Red
Hat Software at (800) 454-5502 or (919) 572-6500.  We accept Visa,
Mastercard, Discover and American Express cards.

Shipping for single copies of Red Hat Linux is $5.95 in the US for
ground shipment, and $14.95 for International air mail delivery to
most destinations.  For other shipping prices, bundle pricing, and
other options, see our web site or contact sa...@redhat.com.

Resellers are encouraged to contact the following distributors for
information and volume pricing on Red Hat products.

* Red Hat Software, Inc.
  3203 Yorktown Avenue, Suite 123
  Durham, NC 27713
  Phone: (919) 572-6500 or (800) 454-5502
  Fax:   (919) 572-6726
  Email: sa...@redhat.com 

* Frank Kasper and Associates
  7351 Washington Ave South
  Edina, MN 55439-2407
  Phone: (612) 942-0566 or (800) 869-7667
  Fax:   (612) 942-5039

===========================================================================
--
Red Hat Software, Inc.
(800) 454-5502 -- (919) 572-6500 -- (919) 572-6726 (fax)
http://www.redhat.com -- sa...@redhat.com

--
  Donnie Barnes      http://www.redhat.com/~djb        "Bah."
     d...@redhat.com     http://www.turner.com/lazarusman/   
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
_Things You'd NEVER Expect A Southerner To Say_ by Vic Henley:     
**  I hate the long version of ``Free Bird''.

From: plry...@unity.ncsu.edu (Phil Lindley Rymer)
Subject: Re: SPARC/Linux Now Available!
Date: 1996/10/04
Message-ID: <53242g$m5e@taco.cc.ncsu.edu>#1/1
X-Deja-AN: 187514535
references: <slrn558te9.dn9.djb@redhat.com>
organization: North Carolina State University
newsgroups: comp.sys.sun.wanted


Donnie Barnes (d...@redhat.com) wrote:
: Since people post Solaris and SunOS forsale here...

but they DO NOT make annoyingly  L O N G  posts.

: 
All the flapdoodle cut out

: 
: --
:   Donnie Barnes      http://www.redhat.com/~djb        "Bah."
:      d...@redhat.com     http://www.turner.com/lazarusman/   
: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
: _Things You'd NEVER Expect A Southerner To Say_ by Vic Henley:     
: **  I hate the long version of ``Free Bird''.
***** I hate multi-page posts of text when you don't list the SparcSystems you 
support.

-Phil Rymer

From: d...@marvin.redhat.com (Donnie Barnes)
Subject: Re: SPARC/Linux Now Available!
Date: 1996/10/04
Message-ID: <slrn55akv5.aqf.djb@marvin.redhat.com>#1/1
X-Deja-AN: 187638601
references: <slrn558te9.dn9.djb@redhat.com> <53242g$m5e@taco.cc.ncsu.edu>
organization: Red Hat Software
newsgroups: comp.sys.sun.wanted


On 4 Oct 1996 04:33:20 GMT, Phil Lindley Rymer <plry...@unity.ncsu.edu> wrote:
>Donnie Barnes (d...@redhat.com) wrote:
>: Since people post Solaris and SunOS forsale here...
>
>but they DO NOT make annoyingly  L O N G  posts.

Sheesh...it wasn't *that* long.  I have seen longer posts of machines
and components forsale.
 
>***** I hate multi-page posts of text when you don't list the SparcSystems you 
>support.

You could have checked the web site, but since you asked:

Supported:

   sun4c architecture machines (IPC, SS1, etc)
   sun4m architecture machines (Classic, SS5, SS10, etc)
       (VME based sun4m machines are not supported, an example
       being the 4/690.)
   bwtwo, cg3, cg6, TCX framebuffers (24 bit on the TCX)
   cg14 framebuffer (in cg3 mode)
   SCSI and Ethernet on all of the above
   type 4 and 5 keyboards and mice
   external SCSI drives
   CD-ROM drives (external and internal)
   SCSI/Ether SBUS expansion cards are also supported
   Any original equipment Sun monitor for the above framebuffers

Unsupported:

   sun4d  (SS1000, SS2000)
   sun4u (UltraSparc1, UltraSparc2, EnterPrise UltraSparc servers)
   sun4 architecture
   Eurocard sun4c machines, so called the 'sun4e' under
       Solaris2.4 and others, are not supported.  These are
       VME-bus sun4c machines and the kernel has not been made
       to work on these systems yet.

In addition, you can get SMP support for sun4m type machines
by building your own kernel.


--Donnie

--
  Donnie Barnes      http://www.redhat.com/~djb        "Bah."
     d...@redhat.com     http://www.turner.com/lazarusman/   
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
_Things You'd NEVER Expect A Southerner To Say_ by Vic Henley:     
**  I hate the long version of ``Free Bird''.