Entered CNET Catalog: 05/22/2003
SKU: 0638347502873
Manufacturer: Red Hat
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Manufacturer description
Red Hat Linux 9 Professional combines the latest Linux technology from the Open Source community in one easy to use operating system. No other operating system offers so much control in an easy to use package. Combining the latest Red Hat Linux technology, stunning Bluecurve interface, extra applications, additional documentation, and extended support, Red Hat Linux 9 Professional is the ultimate OS package for home computing and technology enthusiasts.Product summary
The good: Clean and pretty Bluecurve interface; includes a wealth of applications; much-improved font display, simplified installation.
The bad: Weak multimedia apps and downloading tools; expensive.
The bottom line: Red Hat 9.0 is a boon for those who already use it, but it's too expensive to warrant a switch from Windows. Try SuSE (or the free Red Hat) for a better mix of price and features.
Average user rating: from 16 users
3.5 stars
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 05/15/2003
Red Hat improves its Bluecurve interface in 9.0; it's smooth and attractive, with excellent font readability.
In terms of technology, version 9.0 combines a few new elements with an upgrade to existing ones. It runs on Linux kernel 2.4.20, with desktop environments KDE 3.1 and GNOME 2.2. Both the Web server, Apache 2.0, and the C library, GNU libc 3.23, are the most recent versions, as well. Experienced Linux users should note that Red Hat 9.0 implements the new Native POSIX Thread Library (NPTL), which replaces linuxthreads as the library for multithreaded programming. NPTL promises to make Linux more stable and consistent--although technically, Linux kernel 2.6 is supposed to be the first kernel capable of fully supporting NPTL, so Red Hat may be jumping the gun in implementing it now. We didn't experience any stability problems as a result, however.
In version 8.0, Red Hat introduced its own, proprietary desktop interface, called Bluecurve, which incorporated elements of both the open-source KDE and GNOME desktop GUIs while establishing a look and feel different from both. The interface generated controversy in the Linux community, where adherence to existing, standard interfaces KDE and GNOME carry the day, but Red Hat persisted. Bluecurve shows even further improvement in version 9.0, with icons, toolbars, and other interface elements (such as title bars) looking smoother and more appealing; its menus are more logically organized, as well. The result is a well-organized, attractive design. Red Hat 9.0 Professional comes with the same collection of applications found in competing Linux distributions: OpenOffice 1.0.2 as the default productivity suite (although KOffice 1.2 is bundled as well) and Ximian Evolution, the increasingly popular Outlook-styled e-mailer. Beyond that, you'll find everything from strategy games to advanced server packages, as well as development tools and every conceivable type of utility, bundled with the OS.
From the standpoint of the everyday user, Red Hat (and indeed, all Linux distributions) continues to lag behind Windows and the Mac OS in three significant ways. First, the ability to view or play multimedia files--particularly video files--isn't built into the OS the way it is in Windows, and you'll find yourself downloading special apps for this purpose.
Red Hat 9.0, like most Linux distributions, lacks an efficient, easy way to download and install software. Its packaging manager does, however, help find OS upgrades.
That brings up the second problem: procedures for downloading and installing. Red Hat's packaging manager works well at connecting to the Red Hat site to determine what OS elements and packages have upgrades available, but when it comes to downloading a standalone file from the Net, uncompressing it, and figuring out how to perform the installation, Linux just isn't as easy as Windows. Granted, this is a problem with most Linux distributions, not just Red Hat, but at nearly the cost of the Windows operating system, we think Red Hat should be leading the charge to improve downloading.
The third problem lies with using multiple monitors: to get a two-monitor system to work in any Linux distribution, you need to find and edit, by hand, the XF86Config file, and this is anything but intuitive. We were hoping that Red Hat would address this problem. As with most commercial Linux distributions, you'll get better support for Red Hat if you pay for it than if you download the free version. (Actually, you'll get none with the free version.) Red Hat backs its Personal version with 30 days of e-mail and online support for installation but offers no phone support. You'll also get 30 days of free access to the Red Hat Network, which automatically updates à la Windows and a huge array of premium downloads. The Professional version gets you 60 days of unlimited phone support (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday), e-mail and online support, and access to the Red Hat Network.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 User Rating:
2.5 stars
out of 16 user reviews
Not there yet.
Pros: I must say that the drivers were there for my equipment. RH9 has come a long ways since RH 5.1 .
Cons: The install has a few issues. Setting up the modem for an ISP is inferior. Chronic error in Gnome concerning the ISP( /etc/hosts). Consistantly fails to register with RHN, even after 4 installs. With that in mind, one can not up2date the system. The r
Review:
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 16 user reviews
Good once it's running, horible to get up and running though.
Pros: Great reliability and security. As long as you know how to do it, you can do anything, easily. Oh and a great install, I really wish MS would make and install like RH 9. For instance, it explains what everything is during the install, so that, even peop
Cons: One thing MS has that Mac OS and RH 9 will probably never have is an insane amount of support for hardware and software. This is why MS has problems with security. The more things MS supports, the more holes that can be and are eventually created in the
Review:
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 16 user reviews
intranet on linux, progress on linux
Pros: We use different servers with RH7.3 - 9.0. Uptimes are great > 100 days is no problem. We run our intranet on RH7.3 and do our Progress development on a RH9 machine, great ! I installed RH9 also on a DELL Latitude laptop, all works fine ! And remember
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User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 16 user reviews
Try It
Pros: Best Linux distribution.Better and easier than SuSE & Mandrake. It is free.Download it from website.Don,t know why people r spending so much money on expensive softwares.It is better than windows.
Cons:
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User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 16 user reviews
Awesome, the best linux distribution I've ever used!
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Cons:
Review: The best Linux distribution I've ever used, and I've used Linux since 1995. It's not the cheap alternative to Windows anymore, Its the competition! 
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 16 user reviews
I have been using the OS for several weeks now... a thorough overview.
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Cons:
Review: Despite problems with newest hardware (HP LaserJet 1000, TurtleBeach SantaCruz soundcard) I will say that I have exclusively switched to this OS for server, word processing and, to some extent, graphics manipulation use. The OS has two main windowing systems: KDE and Gnome. I had used KDE on Mandrake and SuSe. It is ok and very customizable. But once I logged into Gnome and took the time to configure it to my liking, in my view there is very little comparison. Gnome is a small wonder in the world of Linux operating systems. You can use ICQ on the OS (lICQ - clone for Linux.) This is a major plus for me. The Mozilla web browser is "standards-compliant". It is as good as the Internet Explorer. Fonts in Gnome and KDE look ok, but in Gnome the perception of greater crispness exists. The visual interfaces on Gnome are varied and will allow you to use the computer without tiring of the same old picture. The only drawback, as on any Linux system, is patchy support for newest hardware devices. I still have to see how fast a working driver for my printer appears. Thank you for reading.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 16 user reviews
Good Alternative for a home PC
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Review: Easy to install (easier than the Windows XP), the easiest and trouble free installation of Redhat Linux ever. For internet surfing, simple word processing and if you are not a die hard PC game player. A very good alternative OS for your home PC.
User Rating:
2.5 stars
out of 16 user reviews
Lack of much-needed features made me switch back...
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Cons:
Review: I'm by no means a Linux expert, but I thought I'd try Red Hat after using Mandrake for a while. I ended up switching back. Red Hat has shoody support for Creative soundcards, which means you may have no sound at all. And when you finally get it up and running, guess what! Red Hat doesn't support MP3's without adding extra packages. Finally, it's a pain to get NTFS partitions seen by the OS. Stick to Mandrake 9.1, and all of these things are built in.
User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 16 user reviews
Good for Linux Rockeys
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Cons:
Review: It is the easiest Linux to install ever. I've try RH Linux from RH6 through RH9 on my "last year, yesterday's technique PC". This is the first time that I can install and run the OS without trouble. Good for people who are new to Linux. I'm not a computer sci student and I'm not a technical man. I'm an accounting man. If I can do it with esay, so you can. The only down side is I can't use it as my entertainment platform as its multi-media support is not so up to today's "standard". However, it makes a very good platform for word processing, surfing for news, personal financial management, learning.
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 16 user reviews
Installation of Programs/Games
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Review: Installing programs or games such as Quake III is a pain in the ass. I worked on trying to install proper video drivers (OpenGl Subsystem) and getting the game to work for hours and still had no luck.Am I doing something wrong?
User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 16 user reviews
It Just Works
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Review: This is by far the best Red Hat version for the public ever. The interface is intuitive and user friendly. I didn't need to show my family where to find the apps they needed. The Bluecurve UI is consistent whether in Gnime or KDE, but it is possible to customize either. The OS has a abundance of features to meet anyone's needs. And here is the nice part, you get to choose what you want to install. Granted, MP3 and some other multimedia support had been removed, but Red Hat had links to sites where I could download and install the RPMS and it took only a few minutes. I have it running on a couple of PCs and my Vaio laptop with no problems. I'm moving my servers to Red Hat Advanced Server this summer away from Microsoft and its licensing, it's a case of spending my $$$ where I can more bang for the buck.
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 16 user reviews
A summary of one frustrated customer's attempts to get quality support.
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Cons:
Review: Date Action Contact Attachment 12-MAY-2003 13:32:43 ET Request Updated Customer, Valued View & Customer Request Dear Ma'am, did I pay 140 dollars to be directed to websites or helped by a person ? 
Please understand: I am a hair away from calling your manager and complaining I am not getting any help. Anton 12-MAY-2003 12:28:23 ET Notify Customer with e-mail notification. Red Hat Tech Joy Marie View & Technician Response Dear Sir, To better assist you with this kind of set up, check out these sites: http://www.irseesoft.de/linux/mac/manual/turboprint-4.html http://www.pcplus.co.uk/media/pcplus/pdf/183/183/masterclass.linux%20beginner.p df If this is in a laptop, check out this site: http://infonomade.linuxfr.org/portables/doc/Mobile-Guide/en/mobile-guide-p2c2s4 -printer-and-scanners.html If you have other consoles regarding Basic Installation, write us. Regards, Anne Gonzales 12-MAY-2003 05:53:30 ET Request Updated Customer, Valued View & Customer Request And, in addition to the previous post, the system, upon loading, tells me that USB 2 and USB 3 port devices are not claimed by any active drivers - meaning the scanner and the printer. So that is the problem. How do I fix it? Anton 11-MAY-2003 19:34:54 ET Request Updated Customer, Valued View & Customer Request Joy, thanks for bearing with this request. I fixed the USB failure, thanks to your instructions. Now the two problems remain: the soundcard; and the printer. The situation with the printer is the one which concerns me the most, and this is why: i would like to use Linux for two things: server and word processing with KWord, I admire that application. I need to be able to print from Linux. There is a driver for HP LaserJet 1000 included in the list of drivers I find in the Control Center's Printer Section (Control Center -> Peripherals -> Printers). If the printer driver is there, and if the USB printing support is avaialable, it should logically be clear that the particular printer is supported. If not, I'd like to know the reasoning. The path to the printer, as evidenced by the interface feature of the printer configuration window is something like this: /dev/usb/lpA, where A is the number of the USB port the printer is hooked on + 1 (because the start value is 0.) I surmise that I need to configure this property correctly to enable the data to find the printer. Thanks, Anton 11-MAY-2003 03:51:00 ET Notify Customer with e-mail notification. Red Hat Tech Joy Marie View & Technician Response Dear Sir, Kindly accept my apology for the delayed response, I have been off from work. Check the bios settings of your machine, make sure that the plug and play option is not enabled. If you know the module that the usb device is supposed to be using, verify if such module is being loaded. You can use this command in a terminal window as root to verify this: lsmod If you have other concerns regarding Basic Installation, write us. Regards, Anne Gonzales 09-MAY-2003 15:34:56 ET Request Updated Customer, Valued View & Customer Request Hi, Joy, I think I may have extracted the problem. When loading, the Red Hat system fails to initialize the USB support, built into the motherboard. That is the cause the data does not get to the printer. How do I work around the problem? Anton 06-MAY-2003 15:23:54 ET Notify Customer with e-mail notification. Red Hat Tech Joy Marie View & Technician Response Dear Sir, No need for apologies, joy and anne are both my names. Like any operating systems, Red Hat Linux places its own demands on your system's hardware. Some of this hardware might not be able to meet these demands, even if they work properly under a different operating system or version. To provide you some documentation to help you out, check out this site: http://www.linux-usb.org If you have other concerns regarding Basic Installation, write us. Regards, Joy Marie Anne Gonzales 06-MAY-2003 14:53:34 ET Request Updated Customer, Valued View & Customer Request Oh, Joy, my apologies, I received an email from RedHat from a rep named Anne, and I think I used her name in the last message. My most profound apologies Anton 06-MAY-2003 14:52:09 ET Request Updated Customer, Valued View & Customer Request Hi, Anne. Thank you for the help with the sound card. But let's concentrate and solve the printer problem. This is the only issue, really, preventing me from using RedHat as my primary system, as I would like. I need to be able to use the printer with the BIOS unchanged, since I am also using windows. Since the printer is supported in 7.2, and since the printer driver for the printer model is available in the 9 system, I would surmise that the printer is supported, even though it is missing from the supported-hardware list. I would like to be able to use this very common printer for my system, and I do not believe it is simply somehow not supported. There must be a mistake in the documentation. Waiting for your reply. Anton 06-MAY-2003 12:41:55 ET Notify Customer with e-mail notification. Red Hat Tech Joy Marie View & Technician Response Dear Sir, I have verified in the Hardware List of Red Hat that the printer you are using is not listed as compatible with the version you are using. Check out this site: http://hardware.redhat.com To provide you some work around on this. Check the bios settings of your machine. Make sure that the plug and play option is not enabled. If you are a spare usb connector, try to change it to make sure that the problem is not in the usb connector or cable. To provide you some documentation on usb printer set up, check out this site: http://www.linux-usb.org/FAQ.html#sh3 As for your sound card, Open a terminal and login as root. Check the file /etc/sysconfig/hwconf. Use a text editor to edit the file. You will see the each hardware is separated by a hyphen, remove the entire block for AUDIO. Save the setting and run this utility: kudzu Re-configure the sound card using this command: sndconfig --noprobe If you have other concerns regarding Basic Installation, write us. Regards, Anne Gonzales 06-MAY-2003 12:10:26 ET Problem Description Customer, Valued View & Customer Request Sound card not detected correctly. Printer cannot establish connection. Printer is an HP Laserjet 1000, connected to a usb port 06-MAY-2003 12:10:26 ET Request Created Customer, Valued View & Customer Request &
Please understand: I am a hair away from calling your manager and complaining I am not getting any help. Anton 12-MAY-2003 12:28:23 ET Notify Customer with e-mail notification. Red Hat Tech Joy Marie View & Technician Response Dear Sir, To better assist you with this kind of set up, check out these sites: http://www.irseesoft.de/linux/mac/manual/turboprint-4.html http://www.pcplus.co.uk/media/pcplus/pdf/183/183/masterclass.linux%20beginner.p df If this is in a laptop, check out this site: http://infonomade.linuxfr.org/portables/doc/Mobile-Guide/en/mobile-guide-p2c2s4 -printer-and-scanners.html If you have other consoles regarding Basic Installation, write us. Regards, Anne Gonzales 12-MAY-2003 05:53:30 ET Request Updated Customer, Valued View & Customer Request And, in addition to the previous post, the system, upon loading, tells me that USB 2 and USB 3 port devices are not claimed by any active drivers - meaning the scanner and the printer. So that is the problem. How do I fix it? Anton 11-MAY-2003 19:34:54 ET Request Updated Customer, Valued View & Customer Request Joy, thanks for bearing with this request. I fixed the USB failure, thanks to your instructions. Now the two problems remain: the soundcard; and the printer. The situation with the printer is the one which concerns me the most, and this is why: i would like to use Linux for two things: server and word processing with KWord, I admire that application. I need to be able to print from Linux. There is a driver for HP LaserJet 1000 included in the list of drivers I find in the Control Center's Printer Section (Control Center -> Peripherals -> Printers). If the printer driver is there, and if the USB printing support is avaialable, it should logically be clear that the particular printer is supported. If not, I'd like to know the reasoning. The path to the printer, as evidenced by the interface feature of the printer configuration window is something like this: /dev/usb/lpA, where A is the number of the USB port the printer is hooked on + 1 (because the start value is 0.) I surmise that I need to configure this property correctly to enable the data to find the printer. Thanks, Anton 11-MAY-2003 03:51:00 ET Notify Customer with e-mail notification. Red Hat Tech Joy Marie View & Technician Response Dear Sir, Kindly accept my apology for the delayed response, I have been off from work. Check the bios settings of your machine, make sure that the plug and play option is not enabled. If you know the module that the usb device is supposed to be using, verify if such module is being loaded. You can use this command in a terminal window as root to verify this: lsmod If you have other concerns regarding Basic Installation, write us. Regards, Anne Gonzales 09-MAY-2003 15:34:56 ET Request Updated Customer, Valued View & Customer Request Hi, Joy, I think I may have extracted the problem. When loading, the Red Hat system fails to initialize the USB support, built into the motherboard. That is the cause the data does not get to the printer. How do I work around the problem? Anton 06-MAY-2003 15:23:54 ET Notify Customer with e-mail notification. Red Hat Tech Joy Marie View & Technician Response Dear Sir, No need for apologies, joy and anne are both my names. Like any operating systems, Red Hat Linux places its own demands on your system's hardware. Some of this hardware might not be able to meet these demands, even if they work properly under a different operating system or version. To provide you some documentation to help you out, check out this site: http://www.linux-usb.org If you have other concerns regarding Basic Installation, write us. Regards, Joy Marie Anne Gonzales 06-MAY-2003 14:53:34 ET Request Updated Customer, Valued View & Customer Request Oh, Joy, my apologies, I received an email from RedHat from a rep named Anne, and I think I used her name in the last message. My most profound apologies Anton 06-MAY-2003 14:52:09 ET Request Updated Customer, Valued View & Customer Request Hi, Anne. Thank you for the help with the sound card. But let's concentrate and solve the printer problem. This is the only issue, really, preventing me from using RedHat as my primary system, as I would like. I need to be able to use the printer with the BIOS unchanged, since I am also using windows. Since the printer is supported in 7.2, and since the printer driver for the printer model is available in the 9 system, I would surmise that the printer is supported, even though it is missing from the supported-hardware list. I would like to be able to use this very common printer for my system, and I do not believe it is simply somehow not supported. There must be a mistake in the documentation. Waiting for your reply. Anton 06-MAY-2003 12:41:55 ET Notify Customer with e-mail notification. Red Hat Tech Joy Marie View & Technician Response Dear Sir, I have verified in the Hardware List of Red Hat that the printer you are using is not listed as compatible with the version you are using. Check out this site: http://hardware.redhat.com To provide you some work around on this. Check the bios settings of your machine. Make sure that the plug and play option is not enabled. If you are a spare usb connector, try to change it to make sure that the problem is not in the usb connector or cable. To provide you some documentation on usb printer set up, check out this site: http://www.linux-usb.org/FAQ.html#sh3 As for your sound card, Open a terminal and login as root. Check the file /etc/sysconfig/hwconf. Use a text editor to edit the file. You will see the each hardware is separated by a hyphen, remove the entire block for AUDIO. Save the setting and run this utility: kudzu Re-configure the sound card using this command: sndconfig --noprobe If you have other concerns regarding Basic Installation, write us. Regards, Anne Gonzales 06-MAY-2003 12:10:26 ET Problem Description Customer, Valued View & Customer Request Sound card not detected correctly. Printer cannot establish connection. Printer is an HP Laserjet 1000, connected to a usb port 06-MAY-2003 12:10:26 ET Request Created Customer, Valued View & Customer Request & User Rating:
2.0 stars
out of 16 user reviews
MS offers the same level of support
Pros:
Cons:
Review: RH9 is a tweak of RH8 and not much of an improvement. I understand the reason for the lack of MP3 support. However, a little information and even a conversion tool would not be unreasonable. Mandrake's DiskDrake is the BEST TOOL EVER for drive partitioning. Redhat just does not get it. A complete lack of file types during setup is lame. There is no option - unless you use setup boot time switches, to get an advanced or manual install. The gui is nice but they give you too few options now during setup. The package listing and choices made for the user seem arbitrary at best. Why is idsn4k-utils installed on EVERY machine? I have never known anyone with an ISDN line in their home. Why is DSL support installed by default? Ask a few questions and let the user tell you. Mandrake is a bit bloated (for linux anyway), but they have a much better feel for how to help the user do what they want without installing things by default. Why sendmail? They include postfix on the CD's but they choose sendmail? How many people do you know that need an smtp server on their home machine anyway? If you do not know what an smtp server is then my point is made. Good effort by RH. I will admit I use for all my servers (no GUI) but for a desktop box they have sooooooo much to learn. I Ximian is going to bail them out though.
User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 16 user reviews
Simple, fast, free, overall it works.
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Cons:
Review: I would highly reccomend this product. Easy to install (although if you know what you are doing, you can do it like a real man, command line). The whole Linux community is behind it so if you have a problem, someone will be willing to help you (like me, if you have any problems with Red Hat you can email me and hopefully I can answer you). I think if your considering to switch to Linux I would wait just a bit (no more than a year) and wait for Red Hat 10 (the review is stupid, don't belive it, they call it Red Hat 9.0 when it's just 9 stupid windoze idiots) until 10, it should have the new 2.6 kernel (should be out shortly) which will just blow everything in the weeds. Anyways just try it already! (I am going to give FreeBSD but still Red hat is nice)
User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 16 user reviews
Purchased RH9, had nothing but problems.
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Review: I wanted to try out RH9 after owning RH8 and using that for a while. I downloaded the three .iso images,burned them, installed them. I'll give them this, in the looks department, they've come a long way. Problem is, no flash or shockwave reader, no real player. I downloaded and tried to install those... they wouldn't install, even the RPM packages (installed on RH8 store bought software no problem though). So I figured I would go buy the RH9 at the computer store. This version wouldn't even install, Anaconda (RH hardware detector) never completed. I really wanted to see another Linux compliation so I tried Suse 8.2. I am quite pleased with it so far, it looks very nice and also has everything installed (Real Player, shockwave). I use XP as well and I think it was also very easy to install and use (it does everything). Until Linux distributors can offer packages that install everything with RPMs, they aren't going to go too far. I really am liking this Suse 8.2 package. Only complaint so far is the fonts still are a little weak and needed some adjustment. Also, some websites don't look 'just right' but that's not a major big deal. Still looking for multimedia support though for Realplayer or other. It may have it, I just haven't found it yet.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 16 user reviews
Review a Bit Skewed
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Cons:
Review: One problem I have with CNet's review is that they reviwed the Professional edition of RedHat 9, when there is a much cheaper Personal edition available. Despite the major difference in name and price, the Personal edition will do everything one would need for Desktop tasks. It ships with things like the OpenOffice productivity suite, Evolution (which is a nice Outlook clone), and other software. My major complaints with RedHat is that it does not include MP3 support (for legal reasons), Adobe Acrobat Reader, or RealPlayer. Plus to use the much superior reiserfs file system (which, when configured properly can be very speedy) is only available by using a switch at boot time. This is something RedHat should look to correct. Personally, out of the major Linux distrobutions, for most people who are comfortable with their PCs and have intermediate computer experience would be quite happy with Redhat.
