Boston University Linux

Last month, we launched our new desktop version of BU Linux — Velouria. Now, we're almost ready for the server-oriented companion release, BU Linux 4.5 Server Edition (Zodiac). This is already a well-tested and robust platform, but we'd like to ensure that everything is perfect before the final release, currently planned for next week the week of July 11th [updated July 6th — no new problems discovered, but we want to make sure we've got plenty of testing]. If you can help with final testing, we'd appreciate it.

Download an install CD image from our FTP server:

<ftp://linst.bu.edu/zodiac/i386/images/zodiac-installer.iso>

burn to disc, and boot from it. If you're using a GUI CD creator program, make sure to use the "create from disc image" feature rather than just copying the file (otherwise, it won't be bootable).

Then, please drop us a message to let us know that you'll be testing, and a quick description of the hardware you're using. This will let us better know what all is covered by our test, and will make it possible for us to contact all testers if a serious problem makes that necessary.

If you come across any problems or have suggestions, please let us know. If something is clearly a downright repeatable bug, it's nice if you can file it in the BU Linux Bugzilla.

If you have suggestions for large additions, it's probably too late for this cycle, but please let us know anyway, so we can get them in for the next release (or perhaps slip in an update between releases).

And one more important thing: during the beta test process, we may make changes to the installer or initial packages which can't be picked up by automatic updates. You should be prepared to reinstall any systems on which you've installed the beta from scratch when the final Zodiac version is released.

Thanks for your help!