Gentoo recently released . One includes KDE and the other includes GNOME. I tried out the KDE version.

I've always been impressed by Knoppix, a Live CD for PCs with hardware detection second to none. Unfortunatly the Gentoo live CDs offer little of that but Gentoo has always been famed for its hardcore hacker reputation. There's no network setup on booting, I had to run dhcpcd eth0 to start it manually. Hard disks arn't mounted automaticly and there is no hfs utils or hfsplus utils, but impressivly HFS+ partition mounting, reading and writing is supported by the kernel. The volume is set to zero initially but after adjusting with kmix the sound works perfectly without any of the usual endian problems.

X isn't setup either, you're dropped into a command line with instructions to run Xeasyconf, Gentoo's text menu based XF86Config file generator. It's autodetection didn't work but then neither does Yellow Dog Linux's. I was able to get X working by simply manually selecting fbdev. Running startx as instructed starts up twm, a surprise since KDE is the main feature on this CD. Use kdm to get KDE started.

It's all stock software, a standard KDE build but it's right up to date with KDE 3.1.2, Mozilla 1.3, X 4.3.0 and Linux 2.4.21. Apache 2 failed to work due to an error in the configuration file caused by missing modules. Other quibbles include the default fdisk is the dos version, use mac-fdisk and KLaptopDaemon complains that my iMac has run out of battery.

I'm impressed at the effort that must have gone into making this, a labour of love for a small audience. The lack of hardware detection means it is unlikely to convert many MacOS X users but it might intrigue them and with over a gigabyte of software compressed onto the disk there's plenty to play around with.

Copyleft (GNU FDL) Jonathan Riddell 2003

has just released two full-featured LiveCDs for the PowerPC: one with KDE 3, and another with GNOME 2. Take a look at in a window via .

Included on the LiveCDs:

• Custom PPC kernel (2.4.21-r1) with G4 AltiVec support
• Latest Mac-On-Linux emulator (run MacOS X in a window)
• Gentoo Compressed Loop 2GB live filesystem
• Xfree 4.3 (DRM) with either Gnome2.2.1/Metacity/Openbox or KDE3.1.2
• A complete set of Gentoo 1.4_rc7 PPC stages (for installing Gentoo)
• HFS(+) resizing kernel/parted patch (easily make room for Gentoo)
• IPv6 support out of the box
• Latest stable Mozilla release
• Distcc-enabled gcc toolchain (for distributed PPC compiles)
• Wardriving tools (kismet and airsnort)
• Routing/advanced iptables support
• Apache 2/SSL with php
• Countless other goodies

of a Linux PC user (namely a Red Hat Linux user) who buys an iBook under the... influense of Apple's "switch" campaign, but soon enough finds Mac OS X's UI unresponsive and its performance lacking. Trying to find an alternative OS for his PPC laptop, he ends up on and he claims to be happy ever since.

If you suddenly want to shrink your HFS(+) partition, let's say to install a GNU/Linux system, you might be interrested by a patch for GNU Parted 1.6.5 which will allow it to do that.

A petition to show nVidia that there is interest in porting their Linux drivers to PPC has been started.

You can find the petition at

Altadena, CA; Paris, France; April 11th 2003 -- Mandrake Linux 9.1 "Bamboo" for PPC processors is available. This new release provides all Mandrake 9.1 features, including Apache 2, "Zeroconf" network support and WiFi support. Mandrake 9.1 for PPC also provides an unequaled level of comfort for users with a simplified graphical installer, a brand-new "MandrakeGalaxy" theme, stunning anti-aliased fonts, and of course the new KDE 3.1 and GNOME 2.2 desktop environments.

Mandrake 9.1/PPC is based on Linux kernel 2.4.21 and includes XFree86 4.3.0, KDE 3.1, GNOME 2.2, OpenOffice.org 1.0.2, Mozilla 1.3, Apache 2, and Samba 2.2.7. All features are detailled in the .

Specifical features for this PPC version include:

• MOL: Mac-On-Linux - Allows you to run Mac OS or OS/X either full screen or in an X window at native speed. Now with menu items to launch either.
• pbbuttonsd/gtkpbuttons - Activates laptop function keys for control of volume, brightness etc.
• BenH based alternate kernel - Full support for newest hardware and new sleep code for Apple laptops. Kernel also has Mandrake's supermount and xfs support added in.
• Supported processors: G3 and G4 on iMac, as well as "old-world" machines with the 604 processor as long as they have PCI (no nubus).
• Installation support and kernel for IBM RS/6000 (tested on a 43P-150 model with a 604e processor).

Mandrake Linux 9.1 for PPC is now available for . Mandrake 9.1/PPC products can be ordered at .

The ideal complement to any Mandrake product is a membership to the MandrakeClub. Club membership provides a wide range of benefits such as download access to more than 50,000 applications that run on Mandrake Linux, including proprietary software, plugins and drivers. http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/club

Press contact: press@mandrakesoft.com

About MandrakeSoft

MandrakeSoft is the publisher of the popular Mandrake Linux operating system, one of the most full-featured and easy to use Linux systems available. The company offers its enterprise, government and educational customers a complete range of GNU/Linux and Open Source software and related services. MandrakeSoft products are available in more than 120 countries through dedicated channels and from MandrakeStore, the company's online store.

Number 1 in several countries, MandrakeSoft has been awarded many times for quality and the technical innovation of its products. "Born on the Internet" in late 1998, MandrakeSoft has established headquarters in the U.S.A. and in France. MandrakeSoft is traded on Paris Euronext Marche Libre (Euroclear code: 4477.PA; Reuters code: MAKE.PA) and the US OTC market (stock symbol MDKFF).

Please visit the website: for more information.

My Favorate Linux for PowerPC Distro - Yellow Dog Linux 3.0 is out!

Yellow Dog Linux version 3.0 is Terra Soft's most recent release which offers a completely rebuilt Installer, 1300 packages on 6 CDs (3 Install, 3 Source), a unified KDE and GNOME desktop environment featuring shared menus, applications, and user interface.

With enhanced support for the latest ATI and NVidia graphics cards (full 3D support for the ATI Radeon series), "video issues" are a thing of the past.

Based upon the 'Anaconda' installer engine, the Yellow Dog Linux Installer leverages automated, advanced hardware detection; provides on-screen help, flexible package selection, multiple install methods (CD-ROM, FTP, HTTP, NFS), creation of ext3 partitions, embedded XFree86 (video) testing, multiple ethernet and wireless port configuration, and automated partition creation.

• 6 CDs (3 binary, 3 source)
• Anaconda installer engine RPM Package Manager 4.1
• GNU LibC (glibc) 2.3.1
• GNU Compiler Collection (gcc) 3.2.1
• XFree86 4.3
• KDE 3.1
• GNOME 2.2
• Wonderland unified theme for KDE and GNOME
• NVidia GeForce 4 and ATI Radeon 9000 support
• Mac-on-Linux 0.9.68 (OS X 10.2)
• Kernel 2.4.20
• OpenOffice.org
• New hardware support too ( Apple eMac, GeForce 4 MX-based Power Macs, PowerBook 12")

PRICE:

Yellow Dog Linux 3.0 Box Set

• 3 Install CDs, 3 Source CDs
• "Getting Started with Yellow Dog Linux" book.
• Yellow Dog Linux T-Shirt.
• Available with and without 60-days Installation Support

With Installation Support, LG Shirt: $84.95 + Shipping
With Installation Support, XL Shirt: $84.95 + Shipping
With Installation Support, XXL Shirt: $84.95 + Shipping

No Support, LG Shirt: $54.95 + Shipping
No Support, XL Shirt: $54.95 + Shipping
No Support, XXL Shirt: $54.95 + Shipping

Place your orders at their

I placed my order!

Today Apple removed the remaining CRT iMac configuration from their on-line store. The iMac was originally launched in 1998, and after 5 years, they have finally put the G3/CRT iMacs to rest. The eMac makes a good replacement for the CRT based iMac, and of course we still have the iMac G4s!! CNet have put together a nice article which you can read .

Terra Soft now offers the PowerPC based ATX motherboards, now available with a G4 processor running at 800Mhz and pre-installed.