[ale] Upgrade path to RH 5.0?

[scott.lewis at ce.gatech.edu]

On 18 Nov, Robert L. Harris wrote:
> Scott,
>   This is a concern for me also.  If redhat keeps like the have in the
> past, it'll be upgradeable.  
> 
>   What are the changes?
> 
> Robert
> 



Changes from Previous Version

New Disk partitioning with Disk Druid                                 

When installing Red Hat Linux, you are given the choice of partitioning
your hard drive with the traditional fdisk or Red Hat's new partitioning
tool, Disk Druid. Disk Druid provides both mount point definition and
partition configuration in one concise screen. In addition, Disk Druid
supports the concept of "growable partitions"-partitions that can grow
beyond a minimum size to allocate all remaining space on a single hard
disk. 


Autodetection of Hardware 
                                 
During installation, all PCI cards will be probed and detected.
Non-PCI systems will still require manual detection. Red Hat's improved
Xconfigurator also probes for PCI video cards, and recommends the best
screen configuration for your hardware. 

Kickstart 

Red Hat Linux now has a kickstart mode for the installation. This mode
allows for automated, unattended installs. A simple configuration file
contains all the information necessary to install Red Hat Linux. 

Based on New C Library 

Red Hat Linux is now based on Glibc, the GNU C library, for faster
performance as well as better portability between Intel, Alphas and
SPARCs. This new library base also results in better
internationalization support as well as support for threads. 

Configuration for multiple window managers 

Choose from fvwm95, Lesstif, or an Afterstep look and feel as your
window manager. New window manager menu configuration allows
applications installed via RPM to appear automatically in your smart
mouse menu. 


Graphical User Mode Tools 

Now graphical tools are available for non-root users! Change your
password, mount/dismount and format floppies and CD's, and change your
account information all with graphical tools. New support for "clone"
devices make PPP configuration a snap. Just use the Net tool (netcfg)
and set up as many clone devices as you need. Give each clone its own
configuration information, such as local number, long distance, out of
a hotel, etc. No more having to remember all the configurations. After
you've configured it once from root, from then on it's user
controllable. 


Sys Admin Tools 

Targeted towards SysAdmins, now you have better graphical tools for
managing user accounts, groups, expiration of passwords, and time out
accounts. 


Sound Support 

Now enjoy great sound without building a kernel! Now SoundBlaster
cards are supported by a set of driver modules. In addition, Red Hat
Linux has a new sound configuration tool. 


Commercial Items  Metro-X X Server 


If you need more than XFree86 can give you, a single-machine license
to this $99 value software is included. Metro X includes a support for
a wide variety of video cards, in addition to multi-monitor support. 


BRU2000-PE 


Backups may not be fun, but they're vital! Red Hat Linux now includes
a single user license to the leading commercial back-up software, BRU
(Personal Edition). An $89 value if purchased separately, this software
takes the hassle out of backing up your system reliably and regularly. 


RealAudio Client and Server 


Listen to audio streams from popular sites on the Net and broadcast
audio to listeners connected to your Red Hat web server. 
-- 


Scott Lewis   
Computer Support-Geosystems and Materials Laboratory
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
scott.lewis at ce.gatech.edu   (404) 894-1062