Mandrake Linux 9.1

The Mandrake Linux concept

Mandrake Linux was created in 1998 with the goal of making Linux easier to use for everyone. At that time, Linux was already well-known as a powerful and stable operating system that demanded strong technical knowledge and extensive use of the "command line"; MandrakeSoft saw this as an opportunity to integrate the best graphical desktop environments and contribute its own graphical configuration utilities and quickly became famous for setting the standard in ease-of-use and functionality.

With this innovative approach, MandrakeSoft offers all the power and stability of Linux to both individuals and professional users in an easy-to-use and pleasant environment. Thousands of new users are discovering Linux each and every day and finding it a complete replacement for their previous operating system. Linux as a server or workstation has no reason to be jealous of any other more established operating systems.

The GPL license (General Public License) governs the development and redistribution of Mandrake Linux. This license provides everyone the right to copy, distribute, examine, modify and improve the system as long as the results of these modifications are returned to the community. It is this development model that allows Mandrake Linux to collect the best ideas from developers & users from across the globe to result in a rich variety of techniques and solutions.

Mandrake Linux's strong points:

A computer running the Mandrake Linux operating system can be as easy to use as a computer which uses Windows or Mac OS -- a fact which has been Confirmed by many IT publications. CNET (a popular technical online magazine) awarded Mandrake Linux 8.0 their "Editor's Choice" saying: "New users, especially those looking for a quick and easy alternative to Windows or the Mac OS, will be hard pressed to find a smoother, easier transition to the world of Linux."

For comparison, the Mandrake Linux PowerPack contains more than 2300 high-quality applications including a complete Office Suite of programs, plus installation support, for approximately 75 Euros ($69 US); whereby the equivalent Microsoft Windows + MS Office costs approximately 750 Euros ($685 US) without any technical support.

Mandrake Linux requires little maintenance as its software management system automatically handles dependency issues and avoids conflicts between applications. Additionally, the MandrakeUpdate utility allows free and easy updates through the Internet -- this is an ideal way to stay current with the latest security-related software updates.

Due to the strength of Linux, a typical Mandrake Linux system can run for months without a reboot. Linux has inherited a great deal from Unix which allows it to benefit from over 30 years of experience. Additionally, the i586 version of Mandrake Linux is optimized for Pentium class (and compatible processors) to provide the highest performance on this hardware.

In over ten years of widespread use, only a few rumored viruses have ever been recorded that affect Linux. This strong immunity can be explained by the fundamental architecture of the system which consists of independent layers that have specific features and strict permissions. Additionally, normal users have a strict and limited role on a Linux system; it's only the "root" user (administrator) who has the power to expose an entire system to possible danger.

Versions exist for x86, Alpha AXP, PPC, SPARC and IA64

Differences with other Linux operating systems:

· With a graphical installation process recognized by many as the best available, Mandrake Linux offers the most advanced and efficient hardware detection.

· A graphical approach to system administration, in addition to the command line, makes Mandrake Linux the operating system which takes integration and management of a user interface the furthest to dispel the image of a Linux system managed only via command line or text mode.

· Friendly and integrated environments
Perfect integration of user-friendly graphical environments such as KDE and GNOME provide comfort and ease-of-use.

· Several pre-configured security levels
Mandrake Linux offers several pre-configured levels of security. A user can therefore choose a desired degree of security specifically for their computer.

· Centralized configuration system
Thanks to the Mandrake Control Center, a user can resort to a single panel to administer the entire system.

Who uses Mandrake Linux?

· Individual users without specific IT knowledge who require a Linux distribution that is simple to use. Mandrake Linux is by far the easiest.

· Experienced users who prefer not spending hours installing and configuring their Linux machine. Mandrake Linux is the most effortless Linux system to install and maintain.

· Professionals who need powerful, comprehensive and stable systems. Mandrake Linux is one of the most complete Linux distributions and is quickly becoming one of the most favored systems in businesses (see http://www.mandrakebizcases.com/ for many examples of MandrakeSoft in the workplace).

A few examples of how Mandrake Linux is being used:

· Personal purposes:

· Office (StarOffice, KOffice, Abiword, Gnumeric, Evolution...) Internet (Web, Email...)

· Multimedia (Video, Audio MP3, RealPlayer...)
2D and 3D games

· Advanced programming (C/C++/Java/Assembler/Perl/Python/HTML/PHP/GTK/QT)

· Server use:

· Web server (Apache with HTTP, PHP...)

· Mandrake Linux is used to operate computers that deliver web pages.

· Database Server (PostgreSQL, MySQL, IBM DB2, Oracle...)

· Mandrake Linux is a useful operating system for computers designed to host database and to link them with Internet servers.

· LDAP Server
A LDAP server stocks one or various directory data bases.

· FTP Server
FTP Server are the computers that deliver files following the FTP protocol.

· DNS Server
A DNS server attributes the IP addresses (numeric addresses) of computers linked to the Internet.

· NIS Server
A NIS Server enables the globalization of user accounts on a given network

· File Server in a Windows environment
Mandrake Linux manages the attribution and sending of files in a network of computers running on Windows thanks to the Samba application

· Email Internet Server (SMTP, POP3, IMAP...)
Mandrake Linux is used in companies and on the Internet to manage employees' electronic mail.

· Print Server
Mandrake Linux administers printing services for all machines in the computer network.

· Scientific calculations (SMP, Clusters...)
Mandrake Linux is widely applauded by organizations and all those who need to carry out scientific calculations. Its optimization for modern processors gives Mandrake Linux a significant advantage in comparison to other Linux systems.