Red Hat Linux Reaches for 9

Making the leap directly from version 8.0, Red Hat unveiled version 9 of its leading Linux distribution. Outwardly sporting an update to its Bluecurve user interface, Red Hat Linux 9 internally includes a new threading library and the latest open source technology.

The release is built upon Linux kernel 2.4.20 and features the OpenOffice.org productivity suite, Mozilla for Web browsing and Ximian Evolution for e-mail.

Red Hat initially released a beta of version 9, code-named Phoebe, last December. Although many assumed the update would be labeled 8.1, the company opted to brand the release Red Hat Linux 9. Security updates will continue to be issued for version 8.0.

"In Red Hat Linux 9, we've refined the installation and interface, adding new tools and applications for end users," said Brian Stevens, vice president of Operating Systems Development at Red Hat. "The result is an open source desktop operating system that is flexible and simple to use for mainstream technology enthusiasts."

Red Hat Linux 9 is currently available to Red Hat Network subscribers, with a public release scheduled for April 7, 2003. Boxed copies will retail for $39.95 including 30 days of support, although ISOs will be available for download free of charge.