“Red Hat Inc. announced the release of Red Hat Alpha Deluxe, its
Linux version that will run on computers powered by Compaq Computer
Corporation’s “Alpha” processor. Compaq will pre-install Alpha
Deluxe on its AlphaServer DS and ES lines, as well as its
Alpha-based workstations. In addition to being customized for
Alpha, it will utilize the GNOME interface, and will ship with 800
additional programs.”
“Red Hat has also announced that it will no longer support Sun
Microsystems’ Sparc processor, beginning with Version 7, Red Hat’s
most recent release of Linux. According to Red Hat, there was
insufficient demand for Sparc-based Linux….”
“Red Hat’s Linux for Alpha has the potential of being a good
thing for both companies. Compaq’s Linux support is relatively weak
when compared to IBM and Dell. However, we believe Compaq has
realized that the Alpha chip’s probable mainstream future (if it
exists) lies with Linux. The other operating systems that Alpha
supports, Compaq’s OpenVMS and Tru64 UNIX, are more appropriate for
high-end servers, and for some Alpha-based workstations.”