What is a Linux distribution?
A Linux distro is a collection of free open source software and free closed source software, provided in a collection to easy installation and use of Linux. Each distribution has there own installer, packaging system (for maintaining installed software and installing new software), design of the file-system, and software. This gives you, the user the maximum choice when installing Linux to choose a system that is right for you.
This page gives you a brief description of Linux distros currently available for the PowerPC, a brief explanation of the distro, reviews to find out what people are saying about it, where to get it, and the distro's homepage. The explanations of the distros are quotes from the distro's documentation, in effort to provide an accurate source of information for all PowerPC Linux distros.
As most of the software in distros is free, you may download them from the Internet if you have a fast Internet connection. The "Download Packages" link takes you to a place where you can download the installer and the packages. The "Download ISO Image" link takes you to a place where you can download pre-made images of the distro. Where available, "generic" Cheap-bytes CD versions are listed. These come without support, and do not help sponsor future Linux development.
Note: This page contains only distros that are actively supported and updated.
Debian GNU/Linux for the PowerPC (2.2)
Debian is a free operating system (OS) for your computer. An operating system is the set of basic programs and utilities that make your computer run. At the core of an operating system is the kernel. The kernel is the most fundamental program on the computer, does all the basic housekeeping and lets you start other programs. Debian is kernel independent. It currently uses the Linux kernel but work is in progress to provide Debian for other kernels, using the Hurd.
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Linux-Mandrake 8.0 PowerPC
In Mandrake 8.0 PPC you will find, G3 optimization, Easy and User-Friendly Configuration tools, the latest versions of user interfaces and highly up-to-date software.
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SuSE for the PowerPC 7.3
On 8 CDs, SuSE Linux supplies the latest Linux operating system and more than 2,000 applications tuned to the needs of PowerPC users. This includes powerful image processing programs, desktop applications and emulators, as well as an extensive range of window managers, network tools, and editors. The improved KDE 2.2.1 desktop sets high standards with respect to user-friendliness and functionality. XFree86 4.1 and SaX2, the expanded graphical configuration tool which ensures a simple and secure setup of supported graphics cards, complement this Linux package.
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Yellow Dog Linux 2.2
A PowerPC Linux operating system that can be used by those of us who were never meant to be geeks. Yellow Dog Linux 2.2 is Terra Soft's solution for the home user who desires to breathe life into old hardware, the business person who silently demands a Microsoft-free desktop, and code developer's or sys-admin's dream come true.
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Gentoo PPC 1.0
Gentoo Linux is a versatile and fast, completely free x86 and PPC Linux distribution geared towards developers and network professionals. Unlike other distros, Gentoo Linux has an advanced package management system called Portage. Portage is a true ports system in the tradition of BSD ports, but is Python-based and sports a number of advanced features including dependencies, fine-grained package management, "fake" (OpenBSD-style) installs, path sandboxing, safe unmerging, system profiles, virtual packages, config file management, and more.
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