Red Hat Linux 9 Features Latest Open Source Technologies

Red Hat Linux 9 Features Latest Open Source Technologies

New Linux operating system combines cutting-edge open source technology and easy-to-use Bluecurve™ interface.

RALEIGH, NC -- March 31, 2003 -- Red Hat, Inc. (Nasdaq:RHAT), the world's premier open source and Linux provider, today announced the availability of Red Hat Linux 9. Drawing from the work of the open source community, Red Hat Linux 9 allows users to take advantage of the newest open source technology first. With an improved graphical installation, new usability enhancements and end-user applications, Red Hat Linux 9 is designed for students, home computing and technology enthusiasts.

“Red Hat's community-based distribution became an option for home computing with the introduction of the BluecurveTM graphical interface in 2002. In Red Hat Linux 9, we've refined the installation and interface, adding new tools and applications for end users,” said Brian Stevens, vice president of Operating Systems Development at Red Hat. “The result is an open source desktop operating system that is flexible and simple to use for mainstream technology enthusiasts.”

Red Hat Linux features Bluecurve, an easy-to-navigate interface with intuitively organized menus. Bluecurve has been upgraded in Red Hat Linux 9 and now extends to more areas of the operating system, including the menu and layout of the desktop. Red Hat Linux 9 features include:

First introduction of new threading technology: NPTL (Native POSIX Thread Library)
OpenOffice.org office suite for creation of documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
Mozilla Web browser , email client, address book, HTML composer and authoring tool
Ximian EvolutionTM email client, calendar and contact manager
CUPS for drag-and-drop printing capabilities
Upgraded core components: Linux kernel 2.4.20, GCC 3.2.1,, GNU libc 2.3 (with NPTL), web server powered by Apache 2.0

See http://www.redhat.com/index2.html for a complete overview of Red Hat Linux 9 features.

Pricing and Availability
Red Hat Linux 9 binaries and source code are currently available to Red Hat Network subscribers. To subscribe to Red Hat Network, please visit http://rhn.redhat.com/. Red Hat Linux 9 will be widely available at retail locations and for purchase on http://www.redhat.com/index2.html on April 7, 2003.

Red Hat Linux 9 has a MSRP of $39.95, and includes 30 days of Red Hat Network Basic Service and Web-based support.
Red Hat Linux 9 Professional has an MSRP of $149.95, and includes the operating system on DVD, SysAdmin Rescue Tool, an office and multimedia applications CD, 60 days of Red Hat Network Basic Service, 60 days of Web-based and telephone support.

About Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat is the world's premier open source and Linux provider. Red Hat is headquartered in Raleigh, N.C. and has offices worldwide. For more information visit http://www.redhat.com/index.html.

Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release that are not strictly historical statements, including, without limitation, management's plans and objectives for future operations, and management's assessment of market factors, constitute forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, reliance upon strategic relationships, management of growth, the possibility of undetected software errors, the risks of economic downturns generally, and in Red Hat's industry specifically, the risks associated with competition and competitive pricing pressures, the viability of the Internet, and other risks detailed in Red Hat's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which may be accessed through the SEC's Web site at http://www.sec.gov/.

* LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. RED HAT is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Under the Hood -- Red Hat Linux 9

Red Hat Linux 9 is out now, and we know you're dying to find out what's inside. We'll take a look at that, and hopefully answer a few of your questions along the way.

First things first. Many of you are probably still wondering why Red Hat jumped from 8.0 to 9 and dropped the .x numbering. Since we now have the Red Hat Enterprise Linux family of products, we have more flexibility in our line. We can now move to integrate stable new technologies without waiting for a full version upgrade. For example, Native Posix Threading Libraries (NPTL) would not have made it into 8.1.

So what's changed from 8.0?

Updated packages include kernel, Xfree86, Gnome, KDE, Evolution, and Mozilla. And the facelift that debuted in 8.0 gets a touch-up. The Bluecurve look and feel and font anti-aliasing seen in 8.0 has been carried further into more applications. The theme istelf has changed and a new cursor has been added.

The menus have been rearranged to prevent duplication, and new tools like graphical Samba server configuration have also been added. Other enhancements include drag and drop printing/cd burning, and a "show desktop" icon.

For those of you who haven't seen 8.0, Red Hat Linux 9 will be a stark contrast to what you've seen from other versions, or have been told to expect from Linux.

There is a control center for quick access to per user settings like themes, font preferences, and PDA syncing. System wide settings have been broken into a smaller subset of specific tools like display, network setup, and user and package management.

Red Hat Linux 9 is perfect for your first foray into Linux, basic home use, or office productivity, and it helps make Linux one shade more accessible for migrating and newbie users.