A frequently asked question is: Where can I find a specific older version of Fedora? The correct answer is: If you CANNOT find it on the official Fedora Mirror List, then chances are it is too old and not supported. Unless you need an older version for some very specific task, I strongly recommend that you use a recent version of Fedora. To find an older version, start by going through the mirrors to see if you can find a site that is physically closer to you (for faster downloads).

The need for PHP4 has not changed much since Fedora Core 5 (FC5). Hence I have taken the time to update the SRC.RPM that I had originally distributed for FC5 to support Fedora Core 6 (FC6). Included are several security updates as well. FC5 users who used this file previously should update. The updated source RPM package is provided on the following guide: PHP4 on Fedora Core 6 Steps provided should work for FC6, FC5 as well as FC4.

I do not know how many people require PHP4 on Fedora Core 5. However since I find that I use it, I am providing PHP4 binary RPMs. Since I made the files available I did receive some complaints. Primarily a compile failure on x86_64 architecture and a compile failure on PPC architecture. I have no means to test PPC, however I have tested with x86_64 and had success. For x86_64 architecture, I have tested the src.

After almost 14 months, the MPlayer developers put out a new release: 1.0pre8 (I doubt 1.0 will ever happen). The official announcement was made on the mailing list on Monday. The mailing list had implied a release was pending. In the meantime, Fedora Core 4 came and went and Fedora fans are on FC5. The good news is that MPlayer properly supports GCC4.x (which FC4 and FC5 use). Anyone who has used a development build already knows these improvements.

Over the last weekend I installed Fedora Core 5 on a Dell Latitude D810 laptop. Unlike Jason’s laptop criteria, I basically required a Dell laptop. I wanted the D610, however it was unavailable and I had to settle for the D810. Even though I customized it, I really did not have any control over what hardware specifically would be better for Linux. However one luxury I was afforded was to be able to maximize the provided features.