The final pre-release version of FreeBSD 2.2 is now available from: ftp://ftp.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD/2.2-GAMMA This release, modulo any final bug fixes, is what will be released as FreeBSD 2.2R at the end of February, the length of this GAMMA testing cycle being approximately 20 days. As the README.TXT file in this release indicates, I've also decided to try something a little different for this GAMMA test cycle. Our more sharp-eyed observers will notice that 2.2-GAMMA is actually a symbolic link pointing to 2.2-970205-GAMMA on ftp.freebsd.org. This was copied today from ftp://22gamma.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD, an FTP server which automatically generates a completely new release of 2.2 from the 2.2-branch (RELENG_2_2) code each day. When a release build is successful, it is moved into the FTP area on that machine (REPLACING the old, so be careful about installing directly from this machine around 0500 hours, PST :-). This will hopefully help to prevent the usual problems where new testers trip over bugs already reported and report them again, or someone breaks things unexpectedly while making repairs and we don't find out until the last moment. Another trick was figuring out how to do this in a way that didn't cause the many mirrors of ftp.freebsd.org to melt down under the strain, and it was finally decided that I should only update the ftp.freebsd.org bits once or twice during GAMMA and simply advertise ftp://22gamma.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD as the place to get the most recent version. This makes life a little hard on our international users, I do realize, and I'd welcome announcements or contact from other sites indicating their willingness to mirror the "GAMMA SNAPS" on other public FTP sites. Some reasonable number (where "reasonable" == "does not melt 22gamma.freebsd.org") would be a nice thing to have. As usual: Bug reports via: send-pr(1) or http://www.freebsd.org/send-pr.html or (as a last resort) to: bugs@freebsd.org Comments to: current@freebsd.org. Questions to: questions@freebsd.org mailing list comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc newsgroup #freebsd IRC channel (on irc.freebsd.org) [in that order] Bearer bonds, greasy paper bags full of unmarked bills & precious metals to: jkh@freebsd.org. More information also accompanies the release in the usual .TXT files. Thanks! Jordan