Debian Linux Project Goes Commercial

The Debian GNU distribution of the Linux operating system has taken a step closer to bringing the famous “non-commercial” software to a new commercial arena by garnering backing from industry mainstays VA Linux Systems, O’Reilly Associates and SGI, Inc.

Debian GNU/Linux, heretofore available almost exclusively by way of download from the Internet, will now be accessible to consumers in a boxed book and CD set. The Linux distribution, which includes 1,440 open-source software programs, is maintained by an army of international volunteer developers that make up The Debian Project.

Not Just For The Hard Core

“The combined sponsorship of VA, O’Reilly and SGI is a unique effort allowing everyone o try the non-commercial Debian distribution,” commented Wichert Akkerman, current leader of the Debian project. “The distribution has been built with the loving care of over 500 Debian developers, and we hope it will give everyone the same pleasant experience it gives us.”

Debian/GNU Linux will be made available through the VA Linux information and e-commerce site, along with a host of major retail and online stores. “Debian is currently the most requested Linux distribution among VA Linux Systems customers,” stated Brian Biles, vice president of marketing for VA Linux Systems. Proceeds from sales of the new package will be donated to non-profit group Software in the Public Interest.

O’Reilly Associates, a publisher of books that cover, among other things, open-source software topics, is contributing its title “Learning Debian GNU/Linux” to the boxed product set. “Debian’s developer community is already the largest in the Linux world; all that it has needed to make it more accessible to new users is better documentation, packaging and distribution,” observed CEO Tim O’Reilly.

“This distribution will jump Debian into the first rank not just for hard core Linux developers but for everyone,” he added.

Amdahl Opens Up Support For Linux

In other Linux-related news, Amdahl Corp. has moved to provide support for its LVS 4600 and 4800 Open Systems storage products attached to Fujitsu teamservers and Intel Architecture-based servers running on Linux. “With LVS support of Linux, customers can take advantage of this rapidly growing operating system environment, while preserving their investment in the 4600 and 4800.”

LVS 4600 and 4800 are designed for SAN (storage area networks) environments, based on LSI Logic Storage Systems channel storage technology. The products are part of Amdahl’s Integrated Information Suite (AIIS) strategy, assisting customers in e-commerce, data warehousing and web-hosting endeavors.