Announcing Slackware Linux 3.6! Slackware Linux 3.6, the latest release of the longest-running distribution of the Linux operating system, is now available. Slackware offers a stable and secure version of Linux that is perfect for home, office, or educational use. Slackware is easy for beginners to install, but contains all the advanced features required by the experienced UNIX power-user. Slackware installs and configures software in the manner recommended in the documentation by the original authors. This simplifies system maintenance, ensures accurate documentation, minimizes "fighting the machine", and provides the maximum system configuration flexibility. We feel this is the best release of Slackware yet. Here are some of the advanced features of Slackware 3.6: - Runs the most recent official release of the Linux kernel from ftp.kernel.org (version 2.0.35). - Generic IDE (bare.i) and SCSI (scsi.s) boot images work work with nearly all Intel-based (and compatible) computer systems. Additional precompiled kernels (57 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, and more. - Includes 2.1.125 test kernels, and Linux 2.1/2.2-ready utilities. - 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. - XFree86 3.3.2 patch 3, plus X servers for Neomagic and Intel i740 chipsets. - Enhanced ghostscript support for the following Hewlett-Packard printers: HP670, HP690, HP850, HP855, HP870, HP890, HP1100 and HP1600. - Installs both egcs-1.0.3 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 1.3.3 web server pre-configured to run right out of the box. - PCMCIA, CardBus, and APM support for laptops. (pcmcia-cs-3.0.5) - GIMP 1.0.2 image manipulation program. (with gtk+-1.0.6 libraries) - Includes Netscape Communicator version 4.07. - Many more improved and upgraded packages, including: apmd_3.0beta3-2, bzip2-0.9.0b, cdrecord-1.6.1, cvs-1.10, e2fsprogs-1.12, emacs-20.3, fetchmail-4.6.3, gpm-1.14, gv-3.5.8, ibcs-2.0-980822, ipchains-1.3.5, jdk_1.1.6, libgr-2.0.13, loadlin-1.6a, makewhatis-1.0h, man-pages-1.21, minicom-1.81.1, modutils-2.1.121, net-tools-1.45, netkit-routed-0.12, nfs-server-2.2beta37, perl-5.005_02, pidentd-2.8.3, pine 4.05, procmail-3.11pre7, procps-1.2.9, python-1.5.1, Qt-1.41, rpm2tgz, samba-1.9.18p10, sendmail-8.9.1, shadow-980724, svgalib-1.3.0. - 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 35 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 3.6 is available for free download from the central Slackware site at Walnut Creek CDROM: ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/linux/slackware-3.6/ The ZipSlack version of Slackware is also available from Walnut Creek CDROM: ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/linux/slackware-3.6/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-3.6/MIRRORS.TXT OFFICIAL SLACKWARE CDROM SET: Or, purchase the Slackware Linux 3.6 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. - Two full CDROMs 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) +1 925 674-0783 (24 hour sales) +1 925 603-1234 (9-5 M-F tech support) +1 925 674-0821 (FAX) Email orders: orders@cdrom.com (For placing an order) info@cdrom.com (For requesting more information or for customer service questions) support@cdrom.com (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 volkerdi@slackware.com gonzo@medweb.net