Customer Reviews

RED HAT LINUX 8.0 PROFESSIONAL

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been using Red Hat 8.0 for about 3 weeks now. It's the nicest looking edition of Red Hat yet. It comes with KDE 3 and GNOME 2 with Red Hat's new Blue Curve desktop theme. Now KDE user's won't like it because it looks an awful lot like GNOME and GNOME users won't like it because it kind of looks like KDE, but if you're new to Linux and not yet bigotted by the desktop wars, I think this is the most usable version of Linux out. It comes bundled with Open Office 1.0 which will let you read and write some Word documents or you can even use the Open Office document format. Red Hat has enhanced their graphical administration utilities and still comes with all the goodies we're used to seeing from them like Samba, Apache, Bind, CUPS, etc.

The Good:
- The user interface definitely is the most appealing to the eye compared to previous versions.
- System administration tasks are much more user-friendly. No more ugly linuxconf. This is probably the most noticable improvement that jumped out at me.
- Software updates are also nice. The system automatically checks for updates and warns the user when updates are available to the system.
- Journaling file system! Most home users could care less but this allows Linux to gain more respect in "serious" IT shops.
- Mozilla (Netscape) is finally nice and stable.

The Bad:
- The price is a total rip-off! Keep in mind that the ISO images (these are used to create the CD's that you pay $$$ for) for the Red Hat CD's are available through a ton of websites listed on redhat.com for anyone to download FOR FREE! I know that Red Hat as a company is trying to become consistently profitable but highway robbery is probably not the best way to do it.
- Even though the "look and feel" may be prettier, the Red Hat folks still have a long way to go with respect to human computer interaction. Sometimes you will get a notice saying there is an update to some package like libgtk++ from 2.0.1.4.2 to 2.0.1.5.2.3 which doesn't necessarily represent the version of libgtk++ itself but may be the version of the packaging of this library. What is libgtk++? What does it do? Confused yet?
- Just because it comes with a word processor/e-mail client doesn't mean you are going to want to use it!
- From the number of e-mails I get from Red Hat, I am suprised to see how many updates/patches have been released to address potential security risks. Whats also interesting is how even the smallest MS security threat will make all the tech headlines all over the internet while these warnings from Red Hat almost go unnoticed. This is something to consider if you are going to have your system connected (using broadband/cable modem/etc) continuously. Out of the box, this is not much more safer than any other product out there and tweaking it may not be as user friendly.

The Ugly:
- Updating the kernel. The way they make the kernel package (RPM) look like just another innocent update is downright mean and ugly.
- Give this OS to your parents. Now have them incorporate their favorite true type font (introduce the font to the X server). Watch as the ugliness unfolds.
- Just cant get over the pricing!!!

Just my two cents

I've been using Red Hat Linux 7.3.93 (Code Name Null) for a while and I really like the new look (Red Hat Bluecurve).
Today I just placed an order of Red Hat Linux 8.0 Professional Edition instead of Personal Edition because I really want it on DVD! (Surprise?) Also I want all 4 manuals along with Office & Multimedia Apps CD and Sys Admin Tools CD. Of course 60 days of Telephone Support Privilege is an excellent way to keep in touch with Linux Experts!

this should not be offered at all. It is ten years old, it is nothing like linux of today, it is like Windows 3.1 of Linux world. It will not work on modern hardware, it will not run any modern software. Get fedora or centos linux instead.

Offering this outdated, out of support distro discredits Linux in general. It will not install on new hardware, it has no drivers, it is hopelessly outdated. Get new (on moment of writing) Ubuntu 10.10 or Fedora 14. Avoid this distro as it will not install.

I've been using Red Hat Linux 7.3.93 (Code Name Null) for a while and I really like the new look (Red Hat Bluecurve).
Today I just placed an order of Red Hat Linux 8.0 Professional Edition instead of Personal Edition because I really want it on DVD! (Surprise?) Also I want all 4 manuals along with Office & Multimedia Apps CD and Sys Admin Tools CD. Of course 60 days of Telephone Support Privilege is an excellent way to keep in touch with Linux Experts!

Very few people would be surprised to see that this latest version of "Red Hat Linux" has most of the attributes that make "Suse Linux 8.1 Professional" thick: including OpenOffice and Ximian Evolution.
The ease with which this OS copes with a multi-system environment makes it a top bargain for anyone gunning for a Linux-based server. Its graphical interface is wonderful!
Although I'm aware that most hardware producers favour Windows more than they do Linux, I was still disappointed to discover that there is no support for MP3. There is also, no room for what should have served as my default CD Burner.

why do redhat upgrade there os so often,
that's a minus factor compared to windows.
repacking with fancy new box wont one time redhat buyers
comeback. like me. they gotta show us why and where we
need it not just for servers but games mutimedia and internet.
linux is getting too big too soon a bad sign for a
relativeely young os. igive three stars because
there are new users who needs it and will definitely
love it. let's frag M$.