Date: 24 Sep 96 From: rdm@cfcl.com To: Jaap van Ganswijk Subject: PTF Product Bulletin - September, 1996 Prime Time Freeware (PTF) sends these bulletins to customers, prospects, and other interested parties. If you do NOT wish to get our bulletins, or if we are using a bad address, please send a note to us at info@ptf.com. Include the "Sent to:" line (above), and tell us what you want us to change. MkLinux: Microkernel Linux for the Power Macintosh -------------------------------------------------- Apple has chosen Prime Time Freeware to publish the reference release of MkLinux, their Microkernel-based port of Linux for the Power Macintosh. Our product will contain an installable system, complete source code, and extensive documentation. It is scheduled for publication in December. Note: At present, MkLinux only runs on the 6100/7100/8100 (NuBus, PowerPC 601) series of Power Macintosh systems, including some 61XX Apple Performa models. PCI/604 support is expected in late Fall. MkLinux Developer Release 2 (DR2) --------------------------------- In May, Apple published MkLinux DR1, a "proof of concept" release intended to let highly motivated (and brave!) programmers try out MkLinux. DR1 has been VERY popular. With PTF's help, Apple has distributed 4000+ copies of DR1 on CD-ROM. An untold number of copies have been downloaded via FTP or handed off from user to user. Now, however, it's time to go Beta... MkLinux has had quite a few patches and updates since the publication of DR1. Although these have solved isolated problems, they have left certain global problems unsolved. In addition, the patches have left the MkLinux community with a rather mixed set of installed releases. Apple has therefore decided to issue DR2, a new "baseline" release of MkLinux. If you've been waiting for a good time to try out MkLinux, this is it! If you're one of our stalwart crew of early adopters, using a hacked and patched copy of DR1, this is a *great* time to upgrade! Here is a summary of the major improvements found in DR2: * greatly increased performance * improved reliability * new and improved drivers * more Mach features * a larger command set * and many bug fixes For complete information on MkLinux, see www.mklinux.apple.com. Note: DR1 was produced by Apple and distributed by PTF. DR2, in contrast, is a joint effort. This means that we must charge more: $20/disc ($14 each in quantity 10+). To soften the blow, however, we have three exciting new discount offers. See below for details. A disc entitled "MkLinux Fall 1996" is being sold in CD-ROM stores. It appears to be a "drag-copy" of the DR1 disc, plus the July 8 FTP update (not applied). In any event, it is NOT the same (DR2) disc PTF is selling. Commercial bias aside, we recommend that you avoid this product. It does not contain the current version of MkLinux, has no added value to speak of, and will not be supported by Apple. MkLinux T-shirts and Sweatshirts -------------------------------- PTF has some nifty MkLinux T-shirts and sweatshirts for sale. The fronts display MkPenguin (the Linux penguin mascot, sitting in splendid repose on a Power Mac). The backs modestly proclaim "MkLinux: Linux at Mach 3". By wearing one of these shirts, you can help promote MkLinux, raise the tone of the Linux community, and make your friends very jealous. The shirts are white, with silkscreening front and back. Both shirts are made of heavy-grade 100% cotton fabric. The shortsleeve T-shirts are $15; crewneck sweatshirts are $30. Both shirt styles are available in S, M, L, XL, and XXL; the T-shirts are also available in XXXL. Discount Offers --------------- Our Continuing Customer discount is something like a product upgrade. Send us a photocopy of the front cover of any PTF product. Then, deduct $10 from the total cost of your order! Note: The MkLinux DR1 CD-ROM counts as a PTF product, even if you got it for free! Just send us a photocopy of the DR1 CD-ROM's artwork. Our MkLinux DR2 Combo offer is just as good. If you order DR2 with any other PTF product, you can get the DR2 disc for only $10. For instance, a DR2 and T-shirt combo costs only $25! Finally, our MkLinux Pre-publication offer lets you get MkLinux DR2 for free! Order the MkLinux reference release (book/CD) now, paying the full price ($50), plus S/H, etc. We'll ship the reference release as soon as we possibly can. In the meanwhile, we'll send you a copy of DR2. So, by trusting us to produce and deliver the MkLinux book, you can save the full $20 price of MkLinux DR2, plus any S/H charges and taxes. Note: Only one of these offers may be used in a single order. Offers only apply to mail order purchases from PTF. PTF Product Summary ------------------- Issue Title ===== ===== --- MkLinux Developer Release 2 ($20) --- MkLinux Sweatshirt ($30) --- MkLinux T-shirt ($15) 1-1 Prime Time Freeware for AI ($60) 4-2 Prime Time Freeware for UNIX ($50) 1-1 Tools & Toys for UnixWare ($60) 3-2 Prime Time Freeware for UNIX ($25; back issue, has NetLib) 4-1 Prime Time Freeware for UNIX ($25; back issue, has NCSA Vis. suite) 1-1 Prime Time TeXcetera ($25; back issue, snapshot of CTAN) Yes, we still exist! -------------------- It has been about a year since we last sent out a bulletin. We have had numerous inquiries about new releases, updates, and our general state of health. So, for the curious, here is a look at our development calendar: MkLinux: Microkernel Linux for the Power Macintosh Now that DR2 is out (yeah!), Rich Morin is working hard on editing the book, laying out the CD-ROM contents, and arranging packaging and other details. Meanwhile, the folks at Apple and OSF RI are busy with an *immense* pile of kernel changes and other enhancements. Prime Time Freeware for AI, 2nd ed. Prime Time Freeware for Math Prime Time Freeware for UNIX, 9th ed. All of these products are "in progress". The editors have been busy on other projects, but plan to get back to these efforts soon; we hope to release one or more of these products some time this Winter. We know you appreciate our quality; please be patient with our timing! Ordering and Shipping Information --------------------------------- The following prices apply to normal retail sales. Please contact us regarding unusual cases, quantity discounts, etc. California orders must include 7% to help with sales tax. Our shipping and handling charges are: Domestic (USA) $4/order + $1/unit (e.g., $5 for a one-unit order) Foreign $6/order + $4/unit (e.g., $10 for a one-unit order) We accept MasterCard and Visa, postal money orders in US funds, and checks in US funds THAT ARE PAYABLE THROUGH A US BANK. We do NOT accept UNESCO coupons, foreign currency or checks, wire transfers, or anything else we have not specifically authorized (DON'T send us stuff we can't use!). We accept (but do not encourage) wire transfers, subject to a $10 surcharge. We are happy to sell through technical and professional book stores, user groups, and other retailers. Please tell your favorite retailer about us! ============================= Order Form ============================= Inquiries and orders may be sent (no email orders, please) to: Prime Time Freeware 370 Altair Way, #150 +1 408 433 9662 info@ptf.com Sunnyvale, CA 94086 USA +1 408 433 0727 fax MkLinux Developer Release 2 ______ list ($20) MkLinux T-shirt ______ list ($15) ______ Size (S, M, ...) MkLinux sweatshirt ______ list ($30) ______ Size (S, M, ...) PTF for AI Issue 1-1: ______ list ($60) PTF for UNIX Issue 4-2: ______ list ($50) T&T for UW Issue 1-1: ______ list ($60) PTF for UNIX Issue 3-2: ______ list ($25) Back issue; see above PTF for UNIX Issue 4-1: ______ list ($25) Back issue; see above PT TeXcetera Issue 1-1: ______ list ($25) Back issue; see above Discount _________________________________________________________________ = ________ + ________ tax = ________ + ________ S/H = _______ total Visa/MC __________________________ Exp. _______ Name _____________________ Purchaser ___________________________________________________________ Organization ___________________________________________________________ Street Address ___________________________________________________________ (No PO Boxes!) City,State,Zip ___________________________________________________________ Country ___________________________________________________________ Phone, Email ___________________________________________________________ =============================================================================