PR: MandrakeSoft’s 8 Golden Rules

MandrakeSoft’s 8 Golden Rules

Mandrakesoft, a leading producer of Linux desktop and server
solutions, today summarized its product-life policy and Open Source
commitment.

At a time when some of the established Linux companies are
turning away from their Open Source roots and progressively
abandoning full-time commitment to Open Source Software, many
people have asked MandrakeSoft to clarify its position regarding
product-lifetimes and its Open Source development model.

“There will be no change in MandrakeSoft’s official product
support cycle, and the company remains firmly committed to the Open
Source Software model”, said François Bancilhon, CEO of
MandrakeSoft.

To make the company’s position clear, MandrakeSoft has released
‘8 Golden Rules’ which guide the company and illustrate its
approach to Product Support & Open Source:

1. Software updates for all Mandrake products

   Official MandrakeSoft software updates — including bug fixes
   and security updates — will remain freely available for all public
   supported products, according to the official product lifetime
   table.

2. Product lifetimes are not hidden

   A product lifetime table for all major MandrakeSoft products is
   publicly available on the Mandrake Linux website. For example, the
   Mandrake Linux 9.2 Download, Discovery, PowerPack and ProSuite
   editions will be supported with core updates until March 30,
   2005.

3. Product lifetimes do not change during a product’s lifetime

   The support lifetimes are respected, and may sometimes even be
   extended.

4. Free as in ‘Libre’ and Free as in ‘Beer’!

   A download version of Mandrake Linux, consisting entirely of
   Open Source software, will continue to be released, provided
   without cost, and supported.

5. MandrakeSoft’s code conforms to the GPL

   ALL applications created by MandrakeSoft, such as the Mandrake
   Linux installer and Linux configuration utilities, are released
   under the General Public License. Our firm commitment to the GPL is
   the appropriate way to “give back” to the Free Software
   community.

6. Mandrake Linux — A true Open Source project

   The development of Mandrake Linux is conducted entirely in
   accordance to the Open Source spirit. Development of Mandrake Linux
   products are based on “Cooker,” which is a publicly available
   development platform and community. Cooker provides complete access
   to:

   1. Source code — through a CVS repository
   2. Direct communication with developers — through numerous
      mailing-lists
   3. And a ‘Wiki’ collaborative website
7. The choice of free support…

   All Mandrake Linux users have free access to the
   community-supported MandrakeExpert.com support platform.

8. MandrakeSoft listens to you…

   MandrakeSoft encourages and welcomes feedback and suggestions
   from its base of users, thereby releasing products that better
   match the users’ needs.