Mandrake Linux 9.1 packs are currently available for purchase at MandrakeStore. MandrakeStore offers a new tracking system which allows customers to monitor their orders each step of the way. The full press release is here.
Mandrake Linux 9.1 Packs Have Arrived
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
Follow me on Twitter @EugeniaLoli
step right up folks and enter into the magnificent world of Mandrake Linux
hi eugenia
Finally, I can’t wait until it arrives 🙂
Supposedly was going to ship April 21, nothing yet however. I’m not fixing my newly-broken system (re-installing 9.0) because I really want XFree 4.3 and KDE 3.1. I have done a pretty good job of hosing what I have trying to manually upgrade to Xfree 4.3!
I am really sorry to say this, but Madrake 9.1 is no exception. I’ve tested it extensivelly and its still bloated and in more than one way badly configured. They should at least do a couple of things like:
1) Give up Red Hat legacy, like init scripts and config-files.
2) Pay more attention to gcc optimizations and how they link/compile packages.
3) The Mandrake kernel is way to bloated, and now using an earrly 2.4.21 pre kernel didn’t help in any way. It just made things worst.
Otherwise they are a fine distro and I appreciate their hard work. If they would fix at least this things I would move definetly to mandrake linux.
Just my humble oppinion.
For watch it’s worth, I’ve found 9.1 harder to “break” than the previous versions I’ve used. My 9.1 system has been running 24/7 always under full load (Folding At Home) non stop for about 2.5 weeks now. Would have been uninterrupted if it wasn’t for the breif power outage at home that rebooted all my computers.
So yes, it will be worth the wait, I’m sure you’ll have a much more pleseant time with 9.1 unless you really like to tinker.
Ugh, typos. “For *what* it’s worth…” Now back to sleep before I say more stupid things. Oops too late.
I have the free 3cd download are the packs worth buying?
The packs are expensive but contain a ton mor stuff than the mere “standard editions.” I hope that this is a good sign for Mandrake and its economic recovery. It is a truly great system.
Why not copy Lindows idea and create some usefull services that they can sell?
Or like Apple, they are successfully selling mp3:s to their customers.
Linux is perfect for giving away and sell extra services to those who wants it (Mandrakeclub is a good start but make it more integrated with the OS)
Mandrake 9.1 works on my home computer. Yes it does, and I cant say anything but good things about it. Fast, Stable, so many mdk.rpms that I am amazed….EXCEPT: I did break it. Its ok, I do break things, so I reinstalled it. Easy enough.
BUT my laptop is a different beast, it just doesnt work on it.
So the laptop get Redhat 9. Go figure. But I really should get off my lazy butt and gentoo them both.
What is up with the package manager using Mandrake. I mean come on I have to configure the manager, then update it then quit that app. Then go to update manager then get stuff. WHY? Why isnt it integrated? Two steps to do the same thing. To update it I have to do it again, one step to update, quit that app, then go back to the download manager. And why if it doesnt get the signature for the file does it want to just quit and ask me if I want to erase ALL the RPMS I downloaded? Why not just move on? SO I say NO and then I have to find where they are cached and manually install them? 9.1 is very nice, but its looking for 9.2
Pre-ordered my Mdk9.1 DVD-only eons ago.
Still ‘Order waiting to be processed’ in their tracking tool.
Now I don’t mind buying the stuff (been buying all versions in PowerPacks since 8.0) to show my support for Mdk or paying dues for being a MandrakeClub member (2nd year), but it somehow seems wrong that every cheapskate can get 90% of functionality for free since end March while loyal, paying customers get to wait 2 months.
Ah well, you’re either a supporter or you ain’t
i think it’s worth buying linux, but not the mdk packs.
most of the extra soft you are getting is either a trial or not well tested (so you can dl it from the web and install it with less hassle)
just cramming a few cd’s full of untested or trial software is not worth the price
i would have to agree with sell more that the future for mandrake lies elsewhere (cfr lindows/xandros/…)
i told this after the 9.0 release and i have the same feeling after 9.1:
mandrake needs to pick a direction, make decisions based on it and work towards the future. Wild “improvements” and untested software just don’t cut it.
now you can track your orders at mdkstore, but from what i’ve heard the “real” problems have barely gotten better (i bought my 9.0 pack at my local store after hearing the story’s).
also mandrakeclub is pretty nice, but make it even better and it will actually be worth the money
– click’n run anybody?
– move mandrakeexpert to the club section
– move muo to the club section
and finally:
a) set up a decent bugzilla (last time i checked you were only supposed to report bugs against cooker/beta). and hire someone to fix the bugs.
b) do something about the late sec. update releases
Well it depends if you want to or not. If you buy Mandrake You do get the Nvidia driver as well as a few other drivers that for some Mandrake can not put in the download edition for legal reasons. So, if you don’t have a nvidia card and don’t mind starting the first boot without X; be able to download nvidia’s script and install you would be fine not buying it. Although there are other drivers as well. Also by buying it you do support Mandrake, so if you like their product and have the cash to support them, do so 🙂
Re: Still waiting for the pre-order….
By UglyMike (IP: —.proximus.be)
I’m still waiting for the Standard Edition to ship as well. I do like their OS, but their support and shipping seems extremely slow. If I do not get it by the end of the month… I’ll cancel my order, if possible, and download it.
They only just now have the boxes available for purchase online at the mandrake store???? Geez.
I’m not a Mandrake user, but I thought for SURE they were selling boxes online shortly after they released the isos for download, what with all their money problems and all. I mean, it’s clear Mandrake can’t distribute their product through regular retail channels, since all my local computer stores have had RH 9 since it was released to the public and they have had SuSE 8.2 for a couple of weeks now. Wasn’t Mandrake the first of the big three to release their isos?? I mean, no boxes on the shelves means no word of mouth to the general consumer, no “face time.” People wonder about Linux and they’ll think RH and SuSE is all there is.
No wonder Mandrake can’t make a dime. These guys don’t know how to run a business!!! I can’t friggin’ believe it.
Good luck to ya Mandrake!
“These guys don’t know how to run a business!!!”
’nuff said
So you would have preferred to have the release of the .iso’s delayed for a month simply so the box sets would come out at the same time – even though the distribution was completely finished?
Oh, yes, i’m sure EVERYONE would’ve thought that was a good idea.
How can a kernel be bloated? Lots of stuff does NOT = bloat. Bloat is lots of useless stuff that slows the software down.
What the hell does “pay more attention” to optimisations mean? For packages that benefit, they’re built with -O2 or -O3. Unless this introduces bugs, in which case they aren’t. Quite simple. i586 with i686 optimisations is still used as the arch system because very few packages benefit from full i686 / athlon optimisation and it’s not worth losing Pentium compatibility.
westy: because the apps do different things. edit-urpm-sources.pl manages the sources. rpmdrake and rpmdrake-remove install and remove the packages. DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS. why are you updating the lists all the time anyway? for a stable release, the hdlists of the main repositories never change. The only one which changes is the hdlist for the updates source. there’s no need to update the sources if you’re just installing a stock 9.1 package. if you run a system where the hdlists change more frequently (third-party repositories, or cooker) just use the command line tools – urpmi.update, urpmi and urpme. and rpmdrake should let you ignore the fact that a package has no signature and install it anyway.
dabooty: the stuff in main is generally well tested, and there’s some in the packs that isn’t on the main CDs. much of the stuff in contrib (the rest of the extra software) is excellently packaged and stable, and it’s a hell of a lot less hassle than compiling it yourself. but this isn’t really the point of the packs, as you can get that from an online contrib repository anyway. the point is the non-free stuff (think java, nvidia, linmodems), the documentation, and the support.
“No wonder Mandrake can’t make a dime. These guys don’t know how to run a business!!! I can’t friggin’ believe it.”
Maybe they should use your business as a model. Now, what is your business called?
Right, but urpmi totally owns the graphical packaging tools. It’s a lot simpler and a lot easier to use; who actually goes for the graphical package management utilities?
So you would have preferred to have the release of the .iso’s delayed for a month simply so the box sets would come out at the same time – even though the distribution was completely finished?
Although I do like the way Mandrake works together with community, even better than RH or SuSE does, from a business view it just doesn´t make sense.
I would hold the free ISOs at least for a month or more for the boxed set hit the shelves at retailers and to allow the paying customers at MandrakeClub get faster downloads.
The idea for a subscription update service exclusive to MandrakeClub members in a more integrated manner like Lindows´s CNR is good, too.
Regards,
DeadFish Man
“So you would have preferred to have the release of the .iso’s delayed for a month simply so the box sets would come out at the same time – even though the distribution was completely finished?”
Yes, exactly, if they expect to sell any boxes and make any money.
Me too. Too much waiting.
I pre-ordered the ProSuite 9.1 (mostly to have a trial version of DB2 IBM RDBM /* k-r5kz r w-elc0m9 */ )
and the integrated extra CDs to the GUI installer and packaged the extra software (nvidia, jre – is it there ?, 3rd party) and … to *support* Mandrake.
My problem is everyone who didn’t pay for it and downloaded it is running Mandrake 9.1 for weeks while I have payed and don’t want to download it still have no System.
(This was already said, just another unsatisfied pre-order guy).
This feels really bad for Mandrake customers and club members which are who supports them.
Bad customer care. (OK I feel better now, after some whining). Ah well, you’re either a supporter or you ain’t.
They should provide *one* install CD with some mdk tools like the software installer and hardware config and make people interested to buy ‘Standard’ version (You should be whiling to pay if you *like to have fun* with Linux, even if it is not ready yet !)
Some people want everything for free and can’t understand there are costs envolved, they only see their umbilical body zone
.
(Is SuSE 8.2 Pro -alas, it has less software than mdk ProSuite9.1 – any better ?)
Hey westyvw,
What kind of laptop do you have and what happens when you try to install Mandrake on it? I’ve used Mandrake on Compaps, Dells and Toshibas with relatively few problems.
I clicked on an ad from DistroWatch and I see Amazon has had Power Paks for a week ar a little more now. $54 US.
Anyway, I just bought 9.0 on Spring Sale. I saw the $49 price and jumped on it, not realizing it was not the newest version. My order was delayed, but I am expecting it today. Even though the order was delayed, they were responsive when I sent them emails asking them about it.
I guess in a month or so, I will buy 9.1, and upgrade my system. I have been using 9.0 for a while, so I feel like I should pay for it. BTW, 8.2, 9.0, and now 9.1 have been very sweet releases. Good job, Mandrake.
imagine right now the NEXT release of Mandrake.
oh yes, oh yes
Mandrake *do* sell boxes. Low sales have never been Mandrakesoft’s financial problem. They could support themselves on the level of box sales they get, so far as box sales matter to revenue. The problems are elsewhere. They argue that making the .ISOs freely and widely available drives sales, as decent people who download the free version and enjoy it buy the box set, or encourage others to do so.
I’ve been using Mandrake 9.1 for several weeks now, and currently use it every day consistently. I’m developing a cross platform demo on it and I’m finding it to be less stable than Win2k. The KDE debugger (kdbg) has often sent X into a spin, where it suddenly bloats to 200Mb and most of the CPU time. Under WindowManager (still 9.1) this doesn’t happen, though one a couple of occasions CPU usage was hovering around 20% for X.
Some KDE applications have been fairly unstable – Konq (the file manager) is a prime example. Kdbg as I mentioned above is another one. Kmail is my favourite app of the lot of them; clean, simple and quick.
I haven’t had any major crashes aka BSODs, but the problems with kdbg were more serious than any problems I’ve recently had on Win2k.
Still my favourite part of Mandrake 9.1 is having anti-aliased fonts working for everything out of the box; it’s about time I say! That’s the prime reason that I’m using it.