LinuxPPC Inc has unveiled PowerPC Linux Release 4, which it says is the first major distribution of the open source operating system to boot into a graphical user interface on startup. Though generally recognized as a capable operating system, Linux has been singled out for criticism for its perceived difficulty of use (CI No 3,441). Release 4 addresses those criticisms by supporting the KDE graphical environment. The OS ships with a software bundle including Netscape Communicator 4.0.5 and graphics editor GIMP 1.0. PowerPC Linux runs on everything from Power Macs and Mac clones to the G3 series, Apple’s Network Server, BeBox, IBM ThinkPad 8050, Motorola’s PowerSTACK and several models of RS/6000. PowerPC Linux’s G3 support is particularly interesting. Be Inc, which markets a Unix-ish operating system not entirely unlike Linux, has complained publicly about Apple Computer Corp’s refusal to release proprietary specs which would help BeOS developers port a version to the G3 platform.
