[ Thanks to Kadjo
NDoua for this link. ]
MandrakeSoft announces the immediate availability for download
of the Linux-Mandrake 8.0 via different Internet servers. With this
new version, MandrakeSoft confirms its commitment to offering the
most complete, powerful and user-friendly Linux operating system
available.
Linux-Mandrake 8.0 will be available in mid-May at leading
software retailers in three distinct packages.
Linux-Mandrake Standard Edition 8.0: Linux for
the people. Ideal for beginners and experienced users alike,
features all the tools necessary for a desktop workstation and
basic server use.
Linux-Mandrake PowerPack Edition 8.0: All the
power of Linux. Based on the award-winning Linux-Mandrake operating
system, this extensive package includes the best Open Source and
commercial software available. PowerPack 8.0 is ideally suited for
setting up a workstation or server with both ease and security.
Linux-Mandrake ProSuite Edition 8.0: The Linux
enterprise solution. Designed for small and medium businesses, the
Linux-Mandrake ProSuite Edition 8.0 has been specifically designed
to include all the necessary tools and applications required for
today’s demanding computing environment. In addition to extended
enterprise support, powerful tools make the ProSuite Edition ideal
for setting up stable and secure servers.
Users will also benefit from MandrakeExpert, MandrakeSoft’s new
online technical support platform.
According to Frederic Bastok, co-founder of MandrakeSoft, “we
are very proud of our new distribution. Not only is it
user-friendly and powerful, but Linux-Mandrake 8.0 also comprises
over 2,300 applications, including StarOffice, the complete office
suite compatible with MS Office, and IBM Via Voice, the
market-leading voice recognition system. Once again, in the purest
Open Source tradition, our distribution and its codes are available
on the Web for free download. Moreover, we continue to follow our
motto ‘release soon, release early’, inspired from Eric S. Raymond.
Our approach of making the distribution available on the Web before
the launch of the commercial packages is an effort to thank the
numerous developers and testers who constantly contribute to this
fabulous project.”
Graphical interfaces
MandrakeSoft continues to build on its promise of offering its
users an easy to use and fully-graphical Linux operating system for
both the novice and professional user.
The 8.0 version contains the best possible graphical interfaces,
available in their latest version, including:
KDE 2.1.1 ,2.1.1, featuring many enhancements from the 2.0 release,
plus 2.1 bug fixes. The most important enhancements have been made
to Konqueror, the multi – purpose file manager and fast Web
Browser, Kmail, a full-featured mail program, Kicker, the taskbar,
and many others.
GNOME 1.4, Nautilus and Evolution: Gnome environment now comes with
Nautilus 1.0, an innovative file manager. Evolution 0.9, a complete
groupware suite is also available allowing enhanced e-mail,
contacts and appointments in a single unified environment.
3D Hardware Acceleration
A great number of graphic cards are automatically detected and 3D
acceleration is operational without further configuration, such as
Matrox G200/G400, Voodoo III/V/Banshee, Intel i810 & i815, ATI
Rage 128/Pro, 3D Rage XL/EC, 3D Rage LT, Nvidia, GeForce I,
II…
Efficient and easy installation
A user-friendly tool allows a personalized installation with many
configuration tools. Linux-Mandrake 8.0 offers a new OEM
installation method, with minimal intervention making it possible
to configure various machines and install the operating system in a
few minutes. Moreover, the Logical Volume Manager offers optimal
partitioning management. This new version of the OEM installation
will allow quick dual – boot installation, including both Windows
and Linux-Mandrake.
Linux-Mandrake 8.0 also includes the latest version of DrakX
Installer.
System — The 2.4 Kernel and XFree86
Kernel 2.4.3 has been included as the default kernel in
Linux-Mandrake 8.0. Among many new features, wider USB support,
better SMP (Symertic MulitProcessing Support), brand new IP and
firewalling stacks, and a 64Go memory support. The 2.2 kernel has
also been included, together with XFree86 in version 4.0.3
supporting the latest video cards.
The RPM manager (RPM 4.0) is compatible with all the packages
designed for RedHat distributions, including the most recent
ones.
In order to simplify and improve the selection of packages, all
the tools included in the Linux-Mandrake 8.0 are now centralized in
a unified configuration tool, Mandrake Control Center. Tasks such
as network or printer configuration are easily carried out thanks
to this new complete and centralized post configuration tool.
Development
Many development tools are available, including Kdevelop, Glade,
GCC 2.96, Glibc 2.2.2, and Qt.
Hardware Support
MandrakeSoft is known as the distribution that best supports all
the latest hardware. HardDrake offers a very broad spectrum of
hardware supported thanks to the introduction of the latest
kernels, drivers and patches.
A thorough and powerful server solution
The ProSuite version of Linux-Mandrake 8.0 also incorporates
powerful server tools with free-of-charge regular security updates,
provided in record time. These tools include an optimized version
of Apache Web Application Server, to deploy Web applications, POP3
and IMAP for reliable email servers and a selection of the most
efficient database servers. Moreover, the protection of the network
is carried out by a firewall and a router, protection that is
optimized thanks to the 2.4.3 kernel and a range of easy-to-use
configuration tools.
Games
A great variety of 2D and 3D games are included, such as Pingus,
Clanbomber, Nil, Trophy, Chromium, Tuxracer, Bzglag, Gltron, Cannon
Smash, Tuxkart, and Tux: a quest of Herring. Flight gear, a flight
simulator based on real aviation sites, is available in the
PowerPack and ProSuite editions.
And the latest available programs
A wide range of programs covers all the needs of all users, from
the beginner to the Linux professional, such as the Gimp, Mozilla,
Gnapster, Konqueror, Kmail, Kdevelop, Nautilus, Evolution, Sun
StarOffice 5.2, IBM ViaVoice in its full version, Acrobat Reader,
Flash, Netscape, Java 2, Real Player 8.0, and the rest.
Language availability
Linux-Mandrake Standard Edition 8.0 will be available in English
and French. Linux-Mandrake PowerPack Edition 8.0 will be available
in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. Linux-Mandrake
ProSuite Edition 8.0 will be available in English, French and
German.