Announcing Slackware Linux 7.1!

The first major release for 2000, Slackware Linux 7.1 builds on the
success of Slackware 7.0.  In addition to program updates and distribution
enhancements, you'll find the Konfucius (1.90) and the Kleopatra (1.91)
developmental releases of the K Desktop Environment, XFree86 4.0,
OpenMotif 2.1.30, and TrollTech's Qt 2.1.1 library available as system
add-ons.  Various hardware improvements have been made, including support
for ATA/66 hard disks and controllers and support for the Creative Labs
SB Live! cards.  The distribution improvements, software updates, and
additional hardware support included make Slackware 7.1 a very nice upgrade 
for users of Slackware 7.0.

>From the beginning, Slackware has offered a stable and secure Linux 
distribution for UNIX veterans as well as an easy-to-use system for
beginners.  Slackware includes everything you'll need to run a powerful
server or workstation.  Each Slackware package follows the setup and
installation instructions from its author(s), offering you the most stable
and easily expandable setup.

Here are some of the advanced features of Slackware 7.1:

- Runs the 2.2.16 version of the Linux kernel from ftp.kernel.org
     - Special kernels were prepared for ATA/66 support and for ZipSlack;
       the patches can be found in the source/kernel-source/ tree.
     - Alan Cox's 2.2.16 errata patch was used to build the kernels.  The
       patch can also be found in the source/kernel-source/ tree.

- Generic IDE (bare.i) and SCSI (scsi.s) boot images work with nearly
     all Intel-based (and compatible) computer systems.  Additional
     precompiled kernels (60 varieties in all) and boot images provide
     specialized support for hardware such as Adaptec SCSI controllers, 
     parallel-port IDE devices, IBM PS/2 machines with the Microchannel bus, 
     SGI Visual Workstations, Symmetrical Multiprocessing machines, ATA/66 
     controller and disk support, and much much more.

- System binaries linked with the GNU C Library, version 2.1.3 (glibc-2.1.3)

- Includes libc 5.4.46 shared libraries for backwards compatibility with
  previous releases.

- XFree86 3.3.6
     - XFree86 4.0 is available in the /contrib directory for those users
       wishing to use that release.

- GhostScript and APS-filter are included to support many common PC printers.
  Among these are:
     HP670, HP690, HP850, HP855, HP870, HP890, HP1100 and HP1600

- Installs egcs-1.1.2 as the default C, C++, and Objective C compiler.
     - gcc-2.7.2.2 and gcc-2.95.2 are provided in the /contrib directory.

- Apache 1.3.12 web server with Dynamic Shared Object (DSO) support 
  pre-configured to run right out of the box.

- PCMCIA, CardBus, and APM support for laptops. (pcmcia-cs-3.1.16)

- New development tools, including Perl 5.6.0

- Netscape Communicator version 4.73.

- The K Desktop Environment (KDE) version 1.1.2

- The GNU Network Object Model Environment (GNOME) 1.2

- Updated versions of the Slackware package management tools make it
  easy to add, remove, upgrade, and make your own Slackware packages.

- Large repository of contributed software compiled and ready to run. This
     includes various window managers, support for 3Dfx gaming cards, XFree86
     4.0, KDE-1.90, KDE-1.91, OpenMotif-2.1.30, Qt-2.1.1, XEmacs,
     gcc-2.7.2.3, gcc-2.95.2, binutils-2.9.5.0.42, and much more (see the
     /contrib directory).
  
- Many more improved and upgraded packages, including:
     apmd_3.0beta8-1, bzip2-1.0.0, cdrecord-1.8.1, cvs-1.10, e2fsprogs-1.18,
     emacs-20.7, fetchmail-5.4.0, gpm-1.19.2, gv-3.5.8, ibcs-2.1-981105,
     ipchains-1.3.9, libgr-2.0.13, loadlin-1.6a, pciutils-2.1.7,
     man-pages-1.24, minicom-1.82.1, modutils-2.3.11, net-tools-1.55,
     netkit-routed-0.16, nfs-server-2.2beta47, perl-5.6.0, pidentd-3.0.10,
     pine-4.21, procmail-3.14, procps-2.0.6, procinfo-17, python-1.5.2,
     Qt-1.45, Qt-2.1.1, rpm2targz, samba-2.0.7, sendmail-8.10.2, 
     shadow-19990827, svgalib-1.4.0, kde-1.1.2, GNOME 1.2, Netscape 
     Communicator 4.73, util-linux-2.10l, binutils-2.9.1.0.25

- Slackware Linux is also available as ready-to-burn ISO9660 image files.
  There are three image files in all:
     - install.iso:  Bootable install disc containing everything except
                     source, /contrib, and BigSlack
     - source.iso:   The complete source code tree for Slackware Linux.
     - contrib.iso:  The /contrib tree which contains a lot of prebuilt
                     Slackware packages and their source.

- 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 36 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.  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(TM) disk, so you can carry a personal Linux system
     with you to run on any PC with a Zip(TM) drive.

- BigSlack is a version of ZipSlack that offers a complete Slackware Linux
     setup, including a fully configured GNOME 1.2 installation.  BigSlack
     requires around 850MB of hard disk space.

     
HOW TO DOWNLOAD SLACKWARE:

The full version of Slackware Linux 7.1 is available for free download from
the central Slackware site:

   ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-7.1/

The ZipSlack version of Slackware can be downloaded from:

   ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-7.1/zipslack/

BigSlack is available from:

   ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-7.1/bigslack/

Prebuilt ISO9660 images are provided for installation, source, and contrib:

   ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-7.1/iso/

A list of alternate download sites (which may take a few days to catch up)
can be found here:

   ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-7.1/MIRRORS.TXT


OFFICIAL SLACKWARE CDROM SET:

Or, purchase the Slackware Linux 7.1 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 full ZipSlack and BigSlack editions of Slackware Linux 7.1.
 -  The entire source code used to build Slackware Linux 7.1.
 -  A hand-picked collection of software that you can build and install
       yourself.
 -  Technical support via 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 Walnut Creek CDROM's web site:
     http://www.wccdrom.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@wccdrom.com  (For placing an order)
     info@wccdrom.com    (For requesting more information or
                          for customer service questions)
     support@wccdrom.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>
David Cantrell           <david@slackware.com>
Logan Johnson            <logan@slackware.com>
Chris Lumens             <chris@slackware.com>
Visit Slackware on the web at http://www.slackware.com!