Red Hat Inc. Monday unleashed Red Hat
Linux 7 to the developer world, adding security and new features for fans
and users of the open source king’s popular product line.
Users can expect increased 3D support, along with dozens of new
applications. For Red Hat 7, the upgrade also features more powerful
software that will work to utilize the power of Intel Corp.’s higher-end
chips.
The upgrade appears to feature a little something for everyone — including
digital photography viewing and diagram drawing programs for WorkStation
users to an updated development suite and a preview of new development tools
such as the new GNU compiler for the Java programming language for
developers.
But perhaps just as important is the firm’s simultaneous launch of the Red Hat Network — a new service
for deploying and managing open source platforms.
Red Hat’s Network, which features customizable
preferences for security alerts, update management, and technical support,
may be used by Red Hat 7 users beginning Tuesday on a free, five-day trial
basis. Red Hat Network technology will be a part of all of Red Hat’s service
offerings beginning in December. Pricing after the free trial depends on
whether a user is an individual consumer, or small- to large-sized firm.
Paul McNamara, vice president of products and platforms at Red Hat, said the
network simplifies deployment and delivers proactive services to keep
systems secure and reliable.
Victor Krutul, manager of operating system programs at Intel, said such
services as the network have become more and more necessary as developers
continue to port applications to Linux.
“Using Red Hat Network, developers have on-line, real-time access to open
source products, service, support as well as Red Hat Linux 7 upgrades
delivered to them automatically to take advantage of the new capabilities
and features,” Krutul said.
In addition to chip superpower Intel, Red Hat enjoys strategic partnerships
with IBM Corp.
and Novell Inc.,
among others.
Open source OSs seem to sell themselves. International Data Corp. research
states that paid Linux shipments grew faster than any other server operating
system over the past two years, and their preliminary figures for 1999 show
Linux shipments hold 24.6 percent of the server operating system market, up
from 15.8 in 1998.
IDC also states that Red Hat holds 50.2 percent of Linux vendor market share
and that Red Hat Linux is the most popular distribution, preferred by 68.7
percent of U.S. Linux users.
The Red Hat Linux 7 Standard edition runs for $29.95; Red Hat Linux 7 Deluxe
edition is $79.95; and Red Hat Linux 7 Professional edition costs $179.95.
All versions are available Tuesday for ftp download.
