Harsh J

So goes redhat :

Over two years ago we began asking what you wanted in the next major release from Red Hat.

Today we’d like to show you what we heard.

An open source architecture

You told us you were tired of companies selling you more software. You wanted value. The kind of value you got from Red Hat Enterprise Linux, the kind of value that made you name us the most valuable enterprise software vendor three years running.

A world-class service experience

You told us you’d had enough of the typical technology vendor experience. So we’re bringing some of the same open source principles we use to develop open source software to how we serve our customers.

More applications you can trust

You told us you want to extend the benefits of open source beyond the infrastructure. So we set out to transform the traditional partner model. To make commercial open source applications easier to choose, buy, and support.

The result: Red Hat Exchange (RHX).

Here’s what the new RHEL 5 (Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5) offers on the desktop front :

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Desktop details

The Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Desktop is the secure and extensible alternative for client systems like desktops and laptops in a business IT environment. Plus, the full set of standard productivity applications for a general IT workplace.Desktop options

Multi-OS option

Virtualization

Run multiple desktop operating systems, including Microsoft® Windows®, at the same time.

* Provides the ability to deploy up to four guest operating instances on a client system like a Desktop or Laptop.

Workstation option

High end client support

Ideal for power users and demanding client applications.

* Provides support for client systems with up to two processor sockets, with no main memory size limit.

Server applications and development tools

Provides the software stack for more demanding classical workstation use cases and can be used in environments where a system, primarily used as personal client for an individual user, also needs to share data.

* Adds the full Red Hat Enterprise Linux software development stack as well as the complete set of server applications for use in primarily client use-cases. Extends the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop to Engineering and Development environments.
* Ideal migration path for most WS users

Workstation with Multi-OS option

High end client support

High end client support and server application development capabilities of the workstation upgrade option combined with the virtualization capabilities of the Multi-OS upgrade option.

Features and capabilities

The following list provides an overview of the capabilities and new features of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.

Intel and AMD processor support

Runs on a huge range of laptop and desktop systems. Select the system that meets your needs.

* All x86 (32-bit) and x86-64 (64 bit) processors from Intel and AMD are supported. Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop provides support for systems with one processor socket and up to 4GB of main memory.

Comprehensive office suite

Excellent interoperability with Microsoft Office® environments. Feel at home immediately, with no training needed. OpenOffice provides:

* sophisticated document, spreadsheet, presentation, database, and drawing applications
* HTML and XML support
* the ability to create and access Microsoft Office format files.

Web browser

Enjoyable web browsing with performance and security. Firefox web browser offers:

* excellent performance and security,
* a large range of optional plugins
* easy tab browsing
* font sizing
* history, bookmark, and popup management

Mail

Choose from two fully featured email applications. Easy migration from Microsoft Outlook®. With full POP and IMAP protocol support. Evolution provides:

* Microsoft Outlook look and feel
* calendar and contact management
* support for accessing Microsoft Exchange Server®

Thunderbird provides:

* modern, high performance
* easy-to-use design

Messaging

Communicate with your friends anywhere it the world instantly. Choice of:

* IRC
* messaging applications
* VOIP

Graphics

Manage your photos and images, and edit them without having to purchase expensive third party applications. gThumb and Gimp provide:

* Image management
* sophisticated editing

Wireless and networking

Stay on line: at home, in the corner cafe, and out of town.

* support for many wireless network cards
* easy configuration and network selection with NetworkManager.

Cameras and printers

If you haven’t lost the cable, simply plug in and play.

* automatic detection of USB devices such as cameras
* easy configuration of printers and scanners

Configuration and management

Manage all your desktop systems easily and consistently. Maintain security and control.

* Red Hat Network Update, Management, and Provisioning, provided with every subscription, enables fast deployment and easy management, from one system to thousands of systems. Sabayon enables the desktop user environment to be standardized-ideal for corporate IT deployments

Smart card login

Simplify client authentication, interactive login, secure e-mail and web browsing with a simple USB token.

* Use a USB smart card to log in to a desktop system and seamlessly access network services, such as websites and mail servers, using either PKI or Kerberos authentication.
* Additionally, Firefox and Thunderbird have been enhanced so that they can now use Kerberos to authenticate to web and mail servers.

Workspace management

Individualize your desktop with eye-catching features. Liven up your work experience. 3D graphics features provide:

* transparent windows
* fading and zooming
* multiple workspaces with rotating cube displays (based on Compiz and AIGLX.)

Security and VPNs

Start secure, stay secure. Access corporate data using VPN. Encrypt disk data so that you can leave your laptop in the car. Sleep easy.

* Built in firewall provides control of all incoming and outgoing network connections. Enabled by default.
* optional disk encryption
* kernel based IPsec.

Laptop and power Management

Be more productive: keep working while on the move.

* Enhanced support for ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) power management and laptop features.

Multilingual support

Easy to use, consistent, desktop environment for around the world.

* more supported languages
* improved input method (SCIM)
* Japanese font support

Management

With Red Hat Network, even the largest deployments of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop are easy to deploy, update, keep secure, and manage.

* Every Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop subscription includes the Red Hat Network Update, Management, and Provisioning modules.

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