Red Hat's latest release delivers a new look and feel for its interface in the hopes of making Red Hat Linux 8.0 a friendly face for small business computing. However, the company needs to win over the Linux community at large.

by ISP-Planet Staff [October 4, 2002]

Red Hat, Inc. released the latest variation of its Linux operating system designed for personal and small business computing. Red Hat Linux 8.0 combines leading-edge Linux technologies with a new graphical look and feel that offers users a polished, easy-to-use operating environment.

The Linux vendor is replacing its traditional GNOME graphical user interface (GUI) with Bluecurve, a Red Hat-created GUI combining elements of both GNOME and KDE, a rival desktop environment to GNOME.

Depending on the Linux community's reaction to 8.0, Red Hat will also consider rolling Bluecurve into the next edition of Advanced Server, set for release some time next year.

So far, Red Hat Linux 8.0 has received a mixed reception. Some say that the company is moving toward a Windows XP style using its new Bluecurve look, because Ximian Evolution, the new default e-mail client, looks a lot like Microsoft's Outlook Express.

Paul Cormier, Red Hat executive vice president of engineering, said the operating system upgrade is the perfect choice for small businesses and home networking enthusiasts.

"This is a major step forward for users of traditional operating systems who have been looking for an easier-to-use, more versatile open source solution," Cormier said.

Red Hat Linux 8.0 delivers enhanced productivity tools and an updated graphical interface for today's personal and professional users. Key features of the latest release include:

• OpenOffice.org: Most advanced open source office suite.
• Suite of configuration tools: Tools to set up configurations for several system services and settings, including firewall, peripherals, Apache, Samba, and small network settings.
• Personal firewall tool: Graphical tool for customizing your security settings.
• Red Hat Network integration: Point-and-click utilities to monitor and integrate existing updates for your system.
• Upgraded core components: Updated C compiler, toolchain, and kernel deliver the latest Linux technologies.
• New accessibility features: GUI support for Braille and mobility-limited language interfaces.

"With this release we have given more attention than ever before to usability," said Erik Troan, senior director of product marketing at Red Hat. "Red Hat Linux 8.0 demonstrates that we can deliver great new functionality for hobbyists and professionals and at the same time make the product much more friendly for mainstream users."

Pricing and availability
Red Hat Linux 8.0 is available at retail locations this week and orders are currently being taken online.

Red Hat Linux 8.0 Personal for individual users runs for $39.95, and includes 30 days of Red Hat Network Basic Service and Web-based support.

Red Hat Linux 8.0 Professional is prices at $149.95, and includes a system administrator's CD, an Office and Multimedia Applications CD, along with 60 days of basic service support.

—End