Distributions

There are two major multiplatform distributions of Linux available for m68k. They include kernels that can handle most, if not all, of the supported hardware:

Debian (http://www.debian.org)

Debian is the only multiplatform distribution that officially supports Linux/m68k. Debian 2.1 was the second Debian release to include Linux/m68k packages and installation tools; this release, with more than 860 MB of compressed package files, is almost certainly the largest distribution of free software for 680x0-based systems ever produced.

Debian is developed by a worldwide team of volunteers, and the Debian/m68k team is in many respects a microcosm of this structure, including members from Europe and North America working on Amigas, Ataris, Macs, and VMEbus systems.

Two commercial distributions, Whiteline Linux/68k and Eagle Linux M68K, have been based on the 2.0 Debian release, and may be updated for 2.1. In addition, the official Debian CD-ROMs are reproduced and sold by more than two dozen vendors worldwide, for between U.S. $5 and $20 for a two CD-ROM binary-only set, and the complete distribution can be downloaded for free from Debian’s worldwide mirror network.

Additional information specific to Debian/m68k can be found at http://www.debian.org/ports/m68k/.

In addition, there are two commercial distributions from Germany that are based on older versions of Debian:

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