Date: Fri, 15 Mar 1996 14:36:38 -0700 (MST) From: Terry Lambert <terry@lambert.org> To: current@freebsd.org Subject: A New Era for Linux has Arrived! (fwd) Message-ID: <199603152136.OAA14028@phaeton.artisoft.com>
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POSIX.1 (FIPS 151-2) Certification
A Historic Development!!
(Availability : Intel and Digital ALPHA Architectures)
Linux has achieved certification against a major International Standard
recognised and implemented throughout the computer industry. Announced
at the Open Group meeting of X/Open and the OSF in San Fransisco on 9th
March 1996 and at CeBIT in Hanover, Germany. The interest in this
release from the Application vendors is considerable (this is English
understatement :) as this release allows almost seamless porting of
almost all UNIX applications to Linux.
The POSIX.1 FIPS151-2 certification will directly provide Linux
developers and users with both a "Feel Good" and a "Feel Safe" factor.
Feel Good : Because they have a measure of Quality. It cuts through the
hype of simply putting the term "Commercial" or
"Professional" in the product title.
Because the developer's and the user's know that the product
has actually been tested completely eliminating the
so-called "Emperors Clothes" situation surrounding the way
that Linux is tested.
Because it has passed the POSIX.1 FIPS151-2 Certification
testing against a mature, recognised and implemented Industry
Standard.
Feel Safe : Because the Certification provides them with a known and
stable functionality base that provides true portability.
Because we have more than just the word of a Distribution
that the product has been tested.
Because the certification work has provided a higher quality
system.
You may notice that the above are interchangable - for the first time
Linux provides simultaneous "Feel Good" and "Feel Safe".
Independant Software Vendors (ISV's) are already welcoming this
development as it provides them with a level of stability and
consistency previously unavailable. Their rapid support and usage of
this Certified technology further increases the attractiveness and depth
of use of Linux.
The Certified release provides a base reference platform against which
quality and functionality can be measured. It eliminates the problems
surrounding an Application compiling on one Distribution and not on
another. We now have the same reference point used in the UNIX Industry.
Why Certify?
- ------------
Standards implementation is a "Have" or "Have not" issue. Until now,
Linux has not had certification against any particular standard and has
been variously mis-described as "mostly POSIX", "POSIX'ish" and even "a
superset of POSIX". The former terms indicate that Linux has been
developed *towards* POSIX, the latter is meaningless as the "superset"
cannot exist without international acceptance and recognition (at which
point it becomes part of the standard). Certification against a given
level of the POSIX standard completely cuts through the confusion
surrounding exactly where Linux fits into the POSIX hierarchy.
Linux is POSIX.1 Certified!
---------------------------
The Certification has been the result of a large and costly development
effort over a considerable period of time.
Large : Problems, bugs, code instabilities and enhancements have been
made to libraries, the kernel, the compiler and other parts of
the system to pass Certication Testing. It took a considerable
period of time to get Linux to a point at which the
Certification work could begin.
Costly: The development group behind this certification effort has
made a huge - currently well into 6 figures (US Dollars) -
investment in standards and Certification Test Software alone.
This does not include the actual development costs which are
substantial.
This release is based round the 1.2.13 kernel and we are talking to
Linus Torvalds about certifying the new 2.0 kernel. Providing a list of
all the modules affected by this certification is beyond the scope of
this announcement and will be found elsewhere in the documentation packs
available soon on the Internet.
Will this Release Become a Linux Standard?
- ------------------------------------------
We have already been asked this question enough times to make it into
the FAQ. The answer is no, it will not *become* another Linux Standard.
It already *is* the standard used in the UNIX industry.
Is this Certified code GPL'ed?
- ------------------------------
Simple answer, formatted for clarity : YES !
Other POSIX Certifications
- --------------------------
Products that are certified against POSIX.2, POSIX.4 and POSIX.7 are
coming soon. There is a preview of POSIX.2 certified products included
in the POSIX.1 Certified release.
How is it available?
- --------------------
On CD-ROM and by ftp. You will find site details listed at the end of
this email.
anonymous ftp: Those wishing to mirror should reply to this email in the
first instance for the no-fuss way to mirror.
More Information
- ----------------
This huge step forward for Linux has possibly the smallest announcement.
There is simply no way that we can provide full information in this
forum - it's simply too large.
The full details of this work, the significant impact that this
Certification is already having in the Linux world, how you can obtain
it, what the future holds etc, etc, will be available both by email, ftp
and WWW. An FAQ has been prepared to answer (hopefully) the majority of
questions surrounding this significant historic leap forward.
Email : info@lasermoon.co.uk
info@openlinux.com
info@justcomp.com
ftp : ftp.lasermoon.co.uk
ftp.openlinux.com
ftp.infomagic.com
WWW : www.lasermoon.co.uk
www.justcomp.com
www.infomagic.com
www.openlinux.com
There is a huge amount of material being added to these sites at a time
of some major Industry events. We apologise in advance if you cannot
find all the material you require immediately. Please return to the site
in a day or so or send us an email. We anticipate that everything should
be in place by the end of March.
Distribution
- ------------
Linux-FT Rev 1.2 will be shipping the week of March 18, 1996.
Linux-FT is distributed by and can be obtained from the following
companies in addition to many quality Linux product resellers.
Lasermoon
The Forge, Fareham Road
Wickham, Hants, PO17 5DE
England
Phone: +44 1329 834944
FAX: +44 1329 834955
E-mail: sales@lasermoon.co.uk
Web: www.lasermoon.co.uk
ftp: ftp.lasermoon.co.uk
Just Computers!
607 Martin Ave.
Suite 100A
Rohnert Park
U.S.A.
Phone: 800-800-1648
Int'l: 707-586-5600
FAX: 707-586-5606
E-mail: sales@justcomp.com
Web: www.justcomp.com
InfoMagic
11950 N. Highway 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
U.S.A.
Phone: 520-526-9565
FAX: 520-526-9573
E-mail: info@infomagic.com
Web: www.infomagic.com
Resellers
- ---------
Please contact one of the above distributors for resale information.
Finally : this is an exciting development for Linux which is causing
waves throughout the UNIX industry. Linux has "Come of Age".
Welcome to the Future Technology!
Linux-FT is a trademark of Lasermoon Ltd. UNIX is a trademark of X/Open.
All other trademarks acknowledged.
- --
Info - info@lasermoon.co.uk WWW and FTP : www.lasermoon.co.uk
Lasermoon Ltd, The Forge, Fareham Road, Wickham, Hants, England. PO17 5DE
Voice +44 (0) 1329 834944 Fax: +44 (0) 1329 834955
+++ The UNIX & Linux Freeware Specialists! +++
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