Linked by Eugenia Loli-Queru on Wed 20th Nov 2002 22:20 UTC
MandrakeSoft and Pearson Education sent us over a copy of their latest "pro" edition of the popular Linux Mandrake 9.0. We already wrote a review about Linux Mandrake 9.0, so this is going to be a review of the ProSuite deal specifically and what you get for $199 USD RPP (easily found for around $175 USD in the market). Update: Apparently, StarOffice 6.0 is included in its full version with the distribution. Too bad Mandrake does such a poor job and include its RPMs along with some hundreds other demos in the two Commercial CDs, without saying a word about it (or where to find it) in the "Commercial Software Guide" booklet or another really prominent place.
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How much has Mandrake changed in the past few releases? Next to nothing. While its competitors have improved in leaps and bounds, they rarely change. If I present SuSE, Red Hat and Mandrake to a customer, ask them to try all three out and pick one, they would most probably pick either SuSE or Red Hat.
Just some suggestions for Mandrake, hope some Mandrakesoft employee hears this
- Desktop integration. Please, for crying out loud, pick a desktop. Most people, especially in the enterprise, don't care about 11 WMs. They want something that is completely integrated and works together.
For this purpose, I would suggest KDE. Not because it is my personal favourite (which, for now, happens to be GNOME 2.0), but because it is the fastest way to the market. One of the ways to integrate is to build Mandrake pref applets into KControl. This is where SuSE and to some extend Red Hat don't get too. Placing everything in a centralized place actually is a convienice to the user.
- Better installation. For many, this would be their first look on Mandrake in real. And Mandrake's installer looks completely unprofessional. Using the same widgets used in the default desktop would increase the look of professionalism.
Another problem with the installer is that it asks too much questions. Many of the questions is better asked after the installation (First Time Wizard, anyone?). The help message located on the bottom of the screen should be more helpful. Each choice, without looking at the help, should be well explained. Try to reduce on jargon, for example replace the word "root" with Administator.
- Competitive Egde. They should have their own looks. Currently, they are all around ugly. What I suggest is something like Keramik, which is original. Only unlike Keramik, use smaller widgets (less beveled, smaller shadow). You don't have to use your corporate colours inside the system on the buttons, icons etc. Red Hat's and SuSE's corporate colours is red and green respectively, but they don't use these colours in their UI look.
It is highly important that you should look different from the others. You must strenghten up your brandname so when someone sees Mandrake he wouldn't say "Hey, that's Linux!", instead, "Hey, that's Mandrake".
Other ways to improve their competitive egde is to make custom apps like those similar to iApps, a custom version of Mozilla that looks native in KDE, a custom version of OpenOffice.org that includes mroe features and also looks and feels native under KDE. Stuff like that. Mandrake-only stuff.
- MandrakeClub. Really, what it is currently is just cheap commercial software for Linux. What Mandrake should develop it into is something like Click And Run. There are many problems with CNR, if Mandrake fixes them all, it would be bliss.
MandrakeClub should be merged with MandrakeExpert and Mandrake User, Mandrake Forums, and Mandrake Online. Certain parts of the site would be pay only, the rest would be free. Plus, for software sales, it should be a way to retail software. In other words, it would be nice to have pay-as-you-download option. So if I only download CrossOver, I pay for that only.
The merge should perhaps be called either Mandrake Club or Mandrake Online.
- Improve their site. Personally, after Conectiva.com.br, Mandrake's network of sites is one of the worst designed ever. My suggestion is that Mandrake should remove the clutter from their website. Their main website should be at Mandrake.com. www.mandrakesoft.com/linux should be their product website. www.mandrake.com/developers should be development (Cooker) related topics. Stuff like that.
The site should be geared in quickly telling potential customers the BENEFITS (not features) of their product. They shouldn't target people that would be interested in the littlest of things like the kernel version.
- DON'T be bleeding edge. Mandrake should start their software freeze 6 months before release. Incorporate all patches as you can. You want a polish release. So what if the kernel is 6 months old? As long it doesn't give kernel panics, it is just fine. Now, just say they started development for Mandrake 9.1, and is using KDE 3.1. A month later, KDE 3.2 comes out. STICK with KDE 3.1.
Also, have long product cycles, preferably 18 months. Between the 18 months, continually patch up the current versions. You shouldn't bother about people who want the bleeding egde. They are not profitable. Get the untapped market.
- Make more partnerships. The problem with current Linux companies is that they want to do everything themselves. Make partnerships with ISVs. For example, license Red Carpet.
Also, don't always follow in the shadow of Red Hat. If it can get back the same amount of support they got in their peak, they could set their own standards.
Maybe I should write a article about this.