“Red Hat 7’s most significant digit is yet to come. While
the 7.0 release represents an excellent summary of all that Linux
has had to offer so far, it is the anticipated 7.1 release that
will bring some of the most eagerly awaited features to X Windows
desktops everywhere. Specifically, those with their hearts set on
stable releases of the Linux 2.4 kernel and the KDE 2.0 desktop
should probably sit tight. While preview releases of both are
provided with 7.0, neither can be considered completely roadworthy
at this point. However, if you’re new to Linux, or you’re looking
for the most comprehensive, up-to-date distribution currently
available, Red Hat 7.0 won’t disappoint.”
“While it may seem a bit anticlimactic, 7.0 is far from a flop.
This iteration of Red Hat’s distribution is in many ways the senior
prom of commercial Linux. With this release, Linux really seems to
come of age: all the early hiccups have been worked out, and even
the most rudimentary default installation of this distribution
represents a mature product ready to graduate to the enterprise.
The sheer number of new features in Red Hat 7.0 is staggering. As
welcome as these features are, they merely amount to finishing
touches–elements that hadn’t worked properly before or that should
have been included from the outset.”
“But there are some truly important new features here. Topping
the list of new features for the Linux-challenged is a multidisc
installation system that includes graphical and text-based
interfaces, both of which sport interactive help engines. Other
welcome changes include a revamped X-Windows installation routine
that takes a step-by-step approach to tuning your graphics card and
monitor and then tests your chosen configuration; improved USB
support; upgraded core components, including XFree86 4.0.1 and
GNOME; and more. Performance-minded users will be pleased that Red
Hat finally offers packages optimized for specific processors,
including AMD’s Athlon. You’ll also find 3D hardware support for
Intel i810/815, ATI Rage 128, and Matrox G200 chips, as well as a
preview driver for 3Dfx Glide-based video cards.”