Red Hat Linux 7.3 Ready to Hit the Shelves

Red Hat Monday unveiled Red Hat Linux version 7.3. Expected to ship beginning May 15, Red Hat Linux 7.3 adds new productivity tools, a personal firewall configuration option at installation, and video conferencing software to the Linux server’s feature set.

Red Hat Monday unveiled Red Hat Linux version 7.3. Expected to ship beginning May 15, Red Hat Linux 7.3 adds new productivity tools, a personal firewall configuration option at installation, and video conferencing software to the Linux server’s feature set.

This latest version also includes a variety of Linux community support offerings, including Web and telephone access to “experts” and the Red Hat Network — an automated Internet solution for managing Red Hat Linux systems that boasts nearly 500,000 users.

Among the key enhancements in version 7.3 is the addition of the Evolution personal management system. The Evolution system integrates e-mail, calendar, and contact information functionality thorough: Evolution Mailer, an e-mail environment with features to enable users to create, send, forward, save, and print e-mail using standard POP3 and IMAP protocols; Evolution Calendar, which keeps track of appointments, deadlines, and task lists; and Evolution Contact Manager, which maintains lists of people and their phone numbers, addresses, and other identifying information.

Other key new features in version 7.3 are:

• A KDE 3.0 open source graphical desktop environment
• GNOME 1.4 with Nautilus File Manager
• XFree86 4.2.0 for improved graphic display and hardware support
• GNOME Meeting video conferencing solution
• MrProject open source project management software
• An updated Mozilla Web browser
• A printing configuration tool
• A redesigned boot program that speeds system startup
• USB 2.0 support
• Apache and BIND configuration tools

“Small businesses and enthusiasts are looking for a combination of performance, ease-of-use and value in their technology infrastructure, which is hard to find with today’s proprietary operating systems,” said Paul Cormier, executive vice president of engineering for Red Hat. “Red Hat Linux 7.3 delivers this through a combination of open source software, support and automated remote services for confident Internet-based computing.”

Red Hat Linux 7.3 is scheduled to ship May 15, but organizations can place their order online starting Monday.

Red Hat Linux 7.3 Personal (designed for individual users) is priced at $59.95 and includes 30 days of Red Hat Network Basic Service and Web-based support. Red Hat Linux 7.3 Professional (designed for small businesses) is priced at $199.95. It comes with a system administrator’s CD, 90 days of Red Hat Network Basic Service, and 60 days of Web-based and telephone support.

Red Hat is also offering competitive and customer upgrade rebates, including $20 off Red Hat Linux 7.3 Professional and $10 off Red Hat Linux 7.3 Personal.

Amy Newman is managing editor of sister site ServerWatch.