Storm Linux

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Author: JT Smith

Storm Linux is a Debian GNU/Linux based distribution designed for
the desktop and network markets. Enhancements include the Storm installer, the Storm Package
Manager and the Storm Administration System.Storm Linux 2000

Storm Linux 2000 has been greatly improved as of August 2000,
and is now based on Debian GNU/Linux 2.2 “potato” release.
There are three editions of Storm Linux 2000 available:

  • Starter Edition
    Boxed set. $19.95. Includes 1 CD, Installation Guide, PowerQuest Linux Prep Tool and Star Office 5.2
  • Deluxe Edition
    Boxed set. $69.95. Includes 5 CDs, Installation Guide, User Guide,
    PowerQuest Linux Prep Tool, Star Office 5.2, Heroes of Might and Magic III (network play disabled), Macromedia Flash, Acrobat Reader.
  • Open Edition
    Freely redistributable, this edition is available for free download from the
    Stormix servers and mirrors.

Storm Linux 2000 currently includes:

  • Linux kernel 2.2.16
  • KDE 1.1.2
  • Helix GNOME 1.2
  • glibc 2.1.3

Debian GNU/Linux
The Debian GNU/Linux
project was begun in August 1993, with funding
from the Free Software Foundation as part of their
GNU Project.
Debian’s goal is the creation of a complete operating system that
uses only Free Software. There are now over 500 Debian developers worldwide who are actively working on Debian GNU/Linux.

Storm Package Manager
Storm Package Manager is the graphical front-end to Debian’s advanced package management system. It enables you to install, update and remove software
and packages effortlessly. Simply choose the package that you want to download, and let Storm Package Manager do the rest. By automatically accessing
the Debian archive over the internet, Storm Package Manager enables you to easily download the most recent versions of all your favourite
Linux-compatible software packages. Upgrades are just as easy, and your system will stay clean, without you having to remove old, unused programs.

Storm Administration System (SAS)
The Storm Administration System is the network administration tool developed by Stormix. An integral part of Storm Linux 2000, it enables users to
maintain and configure systems remotely.

SAS is module-based, allowing the interface client to run separately from its core applications. This allows remote connectivity, giving the user
the ability to execute applications on a specific Linux box from other systems. Its 3 main components are:

SAT – Storm Administration Tool – a generic interface for the selection, loading, and display of various system modules.
Modules – software designed for a specific configuration task under Linux. There are currently 3 modules implemented: network, users, and dial-up.

MID – Module Interface Daemon – the software that facilitates communication between the system modules and SAT. Additionally, MID was
designed as a network aware daemon which allows SAS to be used over either LANs or WANs (internet). In technical terms, MID is referred to as a relay
agent.

SAS offers benefits to both users and developers.

Users benefit from:

  • Remote administration from anywhere in the world
  • Advanced user interface in both text and graphics

Developers benefit from:

  • Creating graphical applications easily with SAS and SIL (Simple Interface Language)
  • Modularity of SAS, which means that code doesn’t have to be re-written.
  • Graphic and text interfaces accessed from same code-base.