Red Hat 7.3
Richard Drummond asks whether the biggest is necessarily the best as he examines the latest release.
Red Hat 7.3 includes multimedia software like Xine and GPhoto2.
For many, Red Hat is synonymous with Linux, and the quality of its distros influences how Linux is perceived in the corporate world. Red Hat has a reputation for providing robust, well-tested distros with good support. Red Hat 7.3 continues this trend, offering dependable and compatible software, though it lacks significant innovation. While rivals like Mandrake and SUSE may provide a more integrated and comfortable desktop experience, Red Hat remains a popular choice for its reliability.
Red Hat 7.3 comes in Personal and Professional editions, which share the same core distribution. The Personal edition, reviewed here, is aimed at workstation users, while the Professional edition targets the server market. Both are available on seven CDs or as downloadable ISOs. The boxed Personal edition includes extras like a 30-day Red Hat Network membership, an installation manual, StarOffice 5.2 and a bonus CD with proprietary apps, primarily evaluation software. A DVD is also included for easier installation.