September 13th, 1999

[7:00 AM] Powerlogix Bundles Linux with All G3 and G4 Upgrade Cards

Powerlogix today announced plans to bundle LinuxPPC 1999 with all PowerLogix G3 and G4 upgrade cards. According to PowerLogix:

Now Powerlogix customers will be able to use the fastest processors in the world with the world's fastest and most popular web serving platform. Access to all popular Linux applications such as Apache HTTP Server and GIMP is now at their fingertips with an easy-to-use, full release LinuxPPC package. This is not a demo! All the power of MacOS X with a well-established user base, and free!

LinuxPPC 1999 offers the latest technologies and enhancements to the Linux operating system. It is the fifth release by LinuxPPC Inc.

Included in the bundle is the full release LinuxPPC 1999, which includes a two CD-ROM set: the install CD with hundreds of free, professional quality utilities, and a second CD-ROM that contains the entire source code for everything in the distribution. For a complete list of bundled software, visit LinuxPPC's website.

The LinuxPPC bundle will be added to the PowerForce accelerator package and will start appearing in distribution channels within ten days.

The Mac Observer Spin: This is certainly an interesting turn in today's climate. With Linux usage on the rise, this is sure to help foster support for Linux in the Mac community. This could be taken as a shot across the bow of Apple in reaction to the G3 ROM block issue as well. While LinuxPPC would not work on a G4 upgraded ROM blocked Blue & White either (the machines are stopped well before the operating system kicks in), some combination of a ROM fix and LinuxPPC might possible get around the block. Mind you, we have no evidence of this, it is only speculation.

In any event, this is a great opportunity for both Powerlogix and LinuxPPC. Certainly buyers of upgrade cards are not afraid of opening their Macs and playing with them. This agreement places an extra tool in front of them. The popularity of Linux on a Mac, a powerful combination indeed, could be enhanced.

The Mac Observer