“I like MandrakeSoft very much, but I have some concerns. Here is some constructive criticism. I do not oppose your core business model – in fact I like it a lot. My proposals here should be compatible with it. MandrakeClub has become a bit of a ‘secret society’. Non-members have no idea of what’s going on inside, so they see no point in joining. I think you should merge Mandrakeclub.com and Mandrakeforum.com.” PCLinuxOnline’s Yama writes an editorial for MandrakeForum.
Ideas for Improving the MandrakeClub
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
Follow me on Twitter @EugeniaLoli
I’ve always pushed Mandrake as the best desktop distribution. I still think that and I agree with Mandrake about the Drake’s doing a good job. Mandrake Control Center and Mandrake software installer are both very good and offer genuine value adds.
More than anything else Mandrake’s setup is confusing as hell. On a Mandrake desktop there is somethign like 4 links to different mandrake subgroups providing totally different information. “mandrake user” “mandrake expert” “www.mandrakelinux.com” mandrakeforum.com. Much much to confusing. they also own: http://www.mandrake.com but that takes you to http://www.mandrakelinux.com. How about:
http://www.mandrake.com — general start page includes full sitemap
rpmdownload.mandrake.com — rmp updates
discussion.mandrake.com
paidtechsupport.mandrake.com
knowledgebase.mandrake.com — free tech support articles
etc… Clear names making it easy to figure out where you are and what you are trying to get.
Then it becomes clear what you do and don’t get from the user groups. I also agree with the article paid club members should get free update CDs every few months. A CD in a mass mailing will run a few bucks tops. This also creates a pool of knowledgeable late beta testers.
Lol!
Why do I suddenly get images from an old Monty Python sketch?
Graham, wearing only a pair of boxer shorts and socks, a hat with moose antlers sticking out of the stop, smoking a pipe, with a sash across his chest with the words “I am a MandrakeClub Member!” emblazoned on it.
FWIW, I’m a Mason, too!
> http://www.mandrake.com — general start page includes full sitemap
> rpmdownload.mandrake.com — rmp updates
> discussion.mandrake.com
> paidtechsupport.mandrake.com
> knowledgebase.mandrake.com — free tech support articles
or even simpler:
http://www.mandrake.com
download.mandrake.com
club.mandrake.com
support.mandrake.com
Did anyone tried both Mandrake Club and Red Hat Network? Is their a clear ‘winner’? Advantages, disadvantages?
Cheers,
Andreas
I joined Mandrake club not too long after it started. I figured…why not. I’ve used Mandrake for years without paying for it. Time to give something back. Then after joining and realizing what I had just paid for…I felt raped and vowed never to use or promote Mandrake again. Now…before saying why I feel this way, I’d like to say how pissed off I was that it took them over 3 months to actually charge my credit card. That’s not cool. Anyway, so I finally get into the Mandrake club page (which took two days)(even porn sites are instant) and I realize what a crapfest it is. There are a few (not alot…a few) trial versions of software (fat lot of good that does me seeing as how I could have just gotten them from the software vendor). There was one printer driver (for a printer I don’t have). Discussion groups(as though you can’t get those anywhere on the net). And then the inbox MANDRAKESPAM newsletter. Look… The point is this. I am willing to pay for something when I get good stuff in return. This is a shitty product. Try again Mandrake.
or even simpler:
http://www.mandrake.com
download.mandrake.com
club.mandrake.com
support.mandrake.com
No that’s the current problem its unclear where to go for what. What do you get at the club that you don’t get at support? If you are looking to download a patch where do you go? Is support.mandrake.com for paid support or free support?
merge the mdkclub and the mdkforum? um ok, but i use neither for discussion or support. i always used the mdkuser’s forums.
some benefits to being a club member may be instant support, but i can find that for free in many locations. i think it’s just a way to generate some cash flow. now if i liked mdk8 or 9, i may buy the standard version instead of joining some fan club.
I remember when mandrake just came up with it, announce it is cash flow positive. It has announce that it has made a successful Free Software company business model that works. Doing what? Distributing non-Free Software of course.
I am not a Mandrake user (I use Conectiva) but I think that all distributions should be the same. It is more honest to sell a cheap service (at a normal magazine) for privileged downloads, cheap linux CDROMs, an electronic magazine, etc than try to sell boxes (like SuSE) or individual licenses of useat expensive prices.
I find the business model stupid :-P. Mandrake Club is nice, but I’m not sure how well it standards against Click And Run and IRIS.