Linux goes blue and white - StartCom Linux
Eilat, Israel, August 2, 2004 - StartCom Ltd.,
a small software house located in Israel, announces the distribution of StartCom
Enterprise Linux, perhaps one of the first Linux Operating Systems coming from
that country with the blue and white flag. Based on RedHat's commercial Advanced
Server source codes, StartCom Linux is meant to offer a free and supported
alternative to previous users of RedHat Linux systems. StartCom Linux is freely
distributed via Internet download or by CD-ROMs for a small payment and features
a up2date network service for free.
Introduction, History and Facts:
Linux is a UNIX like Operating System for all
kinds of computers, started by Linus Torwalds in 1991. The Linux Kernel and most
applications it offers, are GNU or GPL licensed, mostly called Open Source. More
about Linux in general you can find here.
During the nineties companies such as RedHat, SuSE
and Mandrake have sprung up, providing
packaged Linux distributions suitable for mass consumption.
StartCom itself uses Linux as the main server
platform for MediaHost™, a subsidiary of
StartCom. During the last years, StartCom used, as so many, the RedHat Linux,
which holds around 70% of the installed Linux Systems in the world.
At April 2004, RedHat stopped to give out their regular
RedHat Linux OS and today distributes only a Enterprise edition (for a heavy
payment). To be fair, I have to say, that they started the Fedora Community Project, but which is by
no means a stable option for operations, which depend on them, with a very short
release cycle.
Since RedHat publishes the source code of their Enterprise
Linux at their website, we started to check the possibility, to compile the OS
for installation by ourselves. This is how our idea about StartCom
Enterprise Linux started.
StartCom Linux:
Since the beginning of August, StartCom offers at www.startcom.org their first release -
StartCom Enterprise Linux AS-3.0.0 (Macaabee). This operating system is meant
for middle sized servers to large data centers. Included in this distribution
are a comprehensive collection of open source server applications like Mail,
File (SMB/NFS), DNS, Web, FTP and a complete desktop environment. Current
supported hardware are x86 Intel and Athlon CPU's.
There are two download mirrors, for immediate download of
the operating system available, but it's also possible to order a set of six
CD-ROMs for US $ 25. We hope to add at any time now more download
mirrors.
The Products page of
StartCom's website shows, that there are also other releases in planning, such
as a Office Edition and MultiMedia Edition with expected release around
September - October this year. By visiting this page, one can clearly see, that
there is already much more envisioned, than just re-distributing a existing
system.
StartCom offers also a automatic update system, which
ensures timely access to updates from StartCom. Known from other systems like
Microsoft Windows Update and RedHat Network, this is probably one of the
services and tools which will convince a potential StartCom Linux user to get
and install StartCom Linux.
Mission, Vision and Goals:
The mission statement of StartCom states:
To contribute to the Open Source movement and promote the Linux operating
system.
I see StartCom fulfilling a balance of providing free and commercial
services, attracting many existing and new Linux users. Since StartCom Linux is
derived from reliable source codes and guaranties support and updates for their
operating systems. Hopefully, StartCom grows to be a important player and
distributor of open source services and software. In the planning are support
and service schemes for businesses and home users, which will be
offered, once the first StartCom Linuxes are out and StartCom learned the
needs of their users. Other additions might come from that software house which
has a record as developers of software and extensive use of Linux in a
production environment.
|
|
This topic does not have any threads posted yet!
You cannot post until you login.