Two Linux distributions for Power PC have recently upgraded their products. The first is SuSE Linux 7.1, which is the version I installed on the WallStreet.

SuSE Linux 7.1

SuSE 7.1 supplies the latest Linux operating system and more than 1,500 assorted bundled applications for Mac users on 6 CDs for the friendly price of $49.00.

With SuSE's optimized Kernel 2.4.2, SuSE Linux 7.1 PowerPC Edition features greatly enhanced USB support. SuSE Linux 7.1 PowerPC Edition also features the support for the sound system ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) for PowerMacs.

SuSE's GUI administration and configuration tool YaST2 makes SuSE Linux installation reasonably user-friendly, even for newcomers, as I discovered. The automatic hardware detection and a selection of pre-installed configurations enable the setup of a complete SuSE Linux within 20 minutes. Handy for updates: individual packages can now be installed by means of the SuSE tool YOU (YaST Online Update).

The graphical user interface KDE 2.0.1, a powerful GUI desktop for Linux and other Unix operating systems, sets high standards with respect to user-friendliness and functionality. XFree86 4.0.2 and SaX2, the expanded graphical configuration tool which ensures a simple and secure setup of supported graphics cards, is also a new feature. An improved version of MOL (Mac on Linux), the virtual machine used to start MacOS in Linux, complements the distribution.

Perhaps the most valuable feature of SuSE Linux 7.1 PPC is its ability to bring PPC users the best of both worlds. PowerPC users can enjoy the same features that have made MacOS successful -- including graphics, video editing, multimedia development, and more -- while experiencing the power and versatility that Linux has to offer. From graphics to software development and even server implementations, SuSE offers enterprise-level performance without the price tag.

This package's comprehensive collection of Linux applications serves a wide range of practical solutions, from general business productivity to multimedia and even advanced functions like software development and heterogeneous network implementations. This eclectic range of applications provides you with the freedom to build a perfectly customized Linux system, tailored to meet your individual needs.

SuSE Linux 7 has passed 238 of the 243 tests in the Linux Standards Board's Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (LSB-FHS2.1-1) test, making SuSE Linux 7.0 the most standards-compliant Linux distribution tested. Detailed results of the tests are available on http://www.linuxbase.org/test/results/index.html.

Here's a sample of what you'll find:
• Full AppleTalk support allows you to integrate PPC machines into a Linux network with full IP sharing!
• Choice between Linux kernel 2.2.18 or 2.4.2, optimized by SuSE, featuring USB support for most mice, keyboards, and printers
• YaST2 graphical installation tool featuring automatic hardware detection -- including multiple sound cards, printers, ISDN cards, and modems
• Various configuration options available, including multiple pre-set configurations
• XFree86TM 4.0.2 and SaX2, the new graphical configuration tool for XFree86 4.0.2
• Multiple languages
• Detailed context-sensitive help

In addition, you'll find numerous applications geared toward your individual needs:

Home Office and Desktop Users
• Mac on Linux emulator allows users to run Mac OS from their Linux desktop
• Office Utilities: Abiword, KOffice (beta), HTML editors including Quanta, Bluefish, and Webmaker
• Imaging: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), a Photoshop-like application for image authoring and manipulation
• Sound: CD player, MOD player, MP3 player, MIDI sequencer, Open Sound System, ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture)
• Desktops: KDE, KDE2 2.0.1, Gnome.

SuSE Linux 7.1 PowerPC Edition (6 CDs, 500-page manual, 60 days installation support) is available directly from the manufacturer as well as from bookstores and software retailers. The recommended retail price is $49.00. For a list of US and Canadian retaiers, visit here:
http://www.suse.com/us/products/retailers/index.html

For more information, visit:
http://www.suse.com

Yellow Dog Linux 2.0

This Week, Terra Soft Solutions Inc. Released Yellow Dog Linux Ê2.0

Yellow Dog Linux 2.0 for Power PC is Terra Soft Solution's Linux release for PowerPC hardware designed for Internet, intranet, and code development, as well as an inexpensive introduction to Linux for offices and home users alike.

Yellow Dog Linux is a complete Linux operating system for PowerPC computers. YDL may co-exist with the Mac OS in a dual-boot environment or replace the Mac OS on "New World ROM" (Blue & White G3s machines and newer). While code developers, network admins, ISPs, and researchers had previously enjoyed Champion Server, YDL 2.0 will offer a Linux solution "for more of us."

Simpler to install than ever before, YDL 2.0 introduces a graphical installer, the KDE 2.1 GUI, and over 900 applications to fufill server, code developer, and home/office needs. With Open Office, AbiWord, Mac-On-Linux, and 4 web browsers to name a few.

YDL 2.0 is a complete Linux operating system that offers an elegant array of graphical environments (KDE, Gnome, Enlightenment, XFree4.0; development tools (C, C++, Fortran, Python, PHP, shells, and many more); and all the tools required to build an email, FTP, NFS, web, and proxy (intra/internet) server with the world-renowned Apache and 5 databases --over 900 applications and utilities in all!

YDL2 Key Features; 3rd Party & Included Software:
• Red Hat 7 based components
• Rock-solid Red Hat installer
• Guide to Installation
• Kernel 2.2.18 and 2.4
• Easy updates with "yup" update Program
• Bootable Install & Rescue CD
• Full Source CD
• Run Mac OS in Linux with MOL
• Dual-boot with BootX or yaboot
• Improved hardware support
• Improved USB support
• Updated C libraries & compilers
• XFree86 4.0.2
• KDE 2.1
• Bundled applications

Mac-On-Linux, which is bundled with Yellow Dog Linux 2.0, is a freeware emulator that lets you run MacOS under PowerPC Linux (i.e.: Yellow Dog Linux, LinuxPPC, SuSE Linux, etc.) on PowerPC based machines. Since it runs natively on the processor, it is very fast. Unlike most Mac emulators, Mac-on-Linux runs MacOS 8.6 and later WITHOUT A ROM IMAGE [It is necessary, though, to make a copy of the file "Mac OS ROM" which is normally located in the System Folder (this file can also be copied from the MacOS installation CD)]. To run earlier versions, a ROM-image is probably needed.

For more information, visit:
http://www.yellowdoglinux.com/

Mac-on-Linux

Mac-on-Linux - An Alternative To Mac OS X Classic Mode For Linux Users, is included with both SuSE Linux 7.1 and Yellow Dog Linux 2.0.

Mac-on-Linux (MOL) is an Open Source project headed by Samuel Rydh. The emulator recreates the standard MacOS 9 desktop much the same way as the Classic mode works in Mac OS X.

Mac-On-Linux lets you run the MacOS under PowerPC Linux (i.e.: Yellow Dog Linux, LinuxPPC, SuSE Linux, etc.) on PowerPC based machines. Since it runs natively on the processor, it is very fast. Unlike most Mac emulators, Mac-on-Linux runs MacOS 8.6 and later WITHOUT A ROM IMAGE [It is necessary, though, to make a copy of the file "Mac OS ROM" which is normally located in the System Folder (this file can also be copied from the MacOS installation CD)]. To run earlier versions, a ROM-image is probably needed.

Mac-on-Linux runs in a 'console' in Linux, displaying a virtual desktop that reproduces the MacOS environment in its entirety. With a key stroke, you can switch between Linux and Mac on the monitor.

You can access the Internet, Appletalk, and other network services through Ethernet. Mac-on-Linux requires a separate IP number in the TCP/IP control panel.

Features:
• Boots MacOS 7.5.2 to 9.0.4 using a ROM image.
• Boots MacOS 8.6 and later using a NewWorld ROM (the "Mac OS ROM" file). This also works on pre-G3 machines!
• Full screen video mode (Now simple to configure!)
• MMU accelereaded X video driver
• Audio
• Block device support (Ide, Scsi, Zip, Jaz)
• ADB & USB support for mouse and keyboard
• Ethernet (multiple interfaces supported)
• Runs natively on the PowerPC processor - good speed!
• Very compatible. Should be able to run all MacOS applications.
• Idle sleep (8.6 and later). MOL won't spend CPU time unnecessarily!
• Can boot a second linux :-).
• Session save and restore - no more need to reboot MacOS!

System requirements:
- 32 MB RAM (the more the better)
- PCI-based PowerPC
- 2 GB SCSI or IDE drive or partition for YDL
- 2 drives preferred, one for YDL and a 2nd for Mac OS

Hardware officially supported by Champion Server 1.2.1:
- iMacs, iMac DVs, iBooks (except Summer 2000 iMacs
- Single processor G4s (except 2001 G4's), G3 Blue & White
- PowerBook G3 2000 "Pismo", 1999 "Lombard", 1998 "Wallstreet"
- G3 Desktops, Towers, and All-in-Ones
- Power Macintosh 9600, 9500, 8600, 8500
- Power Macintosh 7600, 7500, 7400, 7300
- Power Macintosh 6500, 6400, 5500, 5400, 4400
- IBM RS/6000 B50, 7025-F50 (in uni-mode)
- The dual-processor G4's are NOT Officially Supported with CS 1.2.1. However, an experimental kernel is provided with CS 1.2.1 or may be downloaded from: ftp://millennium.terraplex.com/pub/updates/kernel/dual-g4/
- The 2001 G4's are NOT Officially Supported with CS 1.2.1. These machines contain some new hardware that is not yet supported by Linux.

The following are NOT Officially Supported BUT should work:
- Summer 2000 iMac
- PowerMac G4 Cube
- Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh
- Power Macintosh 7200
- PowerBook 3500, 3400, and 2400
- Apple Network Server (ANS) 500 and 700 (see website)
- Motorola StarMax and clones APS, MacTell, and PowerTools
- Motorola PowerSTACK, FirePower, Series E, PowerStack II
- PowerComputing PowerBase, PowerWave, and PowerCenter
- PowerCenter Pro, PowerTower, and PowerTower Pro
- UMAX C500, C600, J700, S900
- Apus 2000 and 3000
- other IBM RS6000 models: PowerSeries 830 and 850, 7248, 40P
Hardware that will simply NOT work with Yellow Dog Linux:
- Power Macintosh 6100, 7100, 8100
- WGS 6150, 8150, 9150
- The PowerBook 1400, 2300, and 5300
- Any Performa 52xx, 53xx, 61xx, 62xx, and 63xx.
- The 6360 is the only exception -- it will boot the Linux kernel
- G3 upgaded 6100/7100/8100 Power Macs -- the PowerPC Linux kernel requires a PCI bus-based architecture and will not work with the older NuBus systems.

Devices supported:
- USB keyboards & mice are fully supported.
- USB printers should function if the drivers are made available.
- MESH, 53C94 and Adaptec 2940 SCSI controllers.
- MACE, BMAC, BMAC+, and DEC 21041 ethernet interfaces.
- ADB, keyboard and mouse, including multi-button mice.
- "Control" display controller (used on 7300, 7500, 7600, 8500).
- "Platinum" display controller (used on 7200, 8200, PowerCenter 150).
- "Valkyrie" display controller (used on 6400, 5400)
- Almost all ATI display controllers.
- Chips & Technologies 65550 (used on PowerBook 3400 and 2400).
- Matrox Millennium I, II, Mystique and G200 video cards are supported (drivers/video/matroxfb.c).
- Floppy disk, for 1.44MB floppies (formatting not yet supported).
- ATA (EIDE) hard disk.
- ATAPI CD-ROM and Zip drive.
- AWACS sound chip (including play-through from audio CDs).

Devices NOT yet supported:
- USB drives. These devices should however work in the latest kernels.
- FireWire (IEEE 1394) drives and video capture/playback.
- Video capture or video (640 x 480 television-mode) output.
- For more information on unsupported devices, see the YDL web page.

Mac-on Linux is freeware.

For more information on Mac-on-Linux , visit:
http://www.maconlinux.org/

You might also want to check out this shootout comparison with benchmarks between OS X Classic mode and Mac-on-Linux by Michael Coyle :
http://www.resexcellence.com/linux_icebox/10-27-00.shtml

Charles W. Moore

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