Background Information

The Deutsche Linux Distribution (DLD), founded in 1994 by Dirk Haaga, Nils Mache, and Jens Ziemann under the Delix Computer GmbH company, was the first German Linux distribution.

Initially compatible with Slackware, this compatibility was dropped when the system transitioned from BSD to System V and RPM became the default package format. DLD stood out for its German-language translations of most documentation and programs.

The last version of DLD, 6.1, was released in 1999, and Delix was acquired by Red Hat that same year. Dirk Haaga, who had been the CEO of Red Hat Germany, passed away in 2006.

Technical Specifications

General Information

  • Developer: Delix Computer GmbH
  • Licensing: GNU General Public License w/ other Open-source licensing
  • OS Family: Linux (Unix-like)
  • Initial Release Date: 1994
  • Latest Release Date: 1999

Availability Information

  • Languages: German
  • Platforms: x86

System Information

  • Working State: Discontinued
  • Source Model: Open Source
  • Package manager: RPM
  • Update Method: Manual Installation
  • Userland:
    • bash
    • coreutils
    • gcc
  • Default User Interface: X Server

Additonal Information