Mandriva, Mandrake, Lycoris Archive

"Have you ever wished you had another computer handy? Maybe you want to try a new operating system out. Maybe you want to test something experimental without potentially breaking your own system. Maybe you need to run some software that only runs in a different operating system. Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring comes with a range of virtualization options that can help."

Distrowatch has reviewed Mandriva Spring, and concludes: "All in all I'd say it's a fairly typical Mandriva release. It features improved looks and added features, but it is released with a few issues. I don't think many of the problems are of major importance for the average user, but for myself, I won't be using Mandriva without wireless support."

Mandriva announced the release of Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring. Download the hybrid live/install CD One or the purely free/open source Free. Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring includes the latest software (KDE 3.5.6, GNOME 2.18, Firefox and Thunderbird 2.0) and several new features: Metisse; WengoPhone; Google desktop applications like Picasa and Earth; updates and improvements to many of the Mandriva configuration tools and the brand new drakvirt for configuring virtualization; and a brand new desktop theme. For more information see the Spring product page and the Wiki page, where you can find download and installation instructions, the Release Tour, the Release Notes and the Errata.

Mandriva today launches the 4GB version of Mandriva Flash, its live flash drive. Mandriva Flash 2GB, which was released in December 2006, has been a true success for Mandriva. It was sold out in less than two weeks! Mandriva has listen to user feedback and decided to develop a new version of its best seller flash drive.

Mandriva is pleased to announce the release of the first release candidate for Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring. Spring features a raft of improvements and enhancements over its predecessors, including the latest software, extended support for the latest 3D desktop technologies (including Metisse), enhanced and improved system configuration and software installation tools, better hardware support, and a new look. The official announcement includes all the details on this release candidate, what you will find in it, and where to download it.

Mandriva has launched the beta program for version 4.0 of its Corporate Desktop. "Mandriva is pleased to announce the launch of the beta program of Corporate Desktop 4.0, the brand new version of its enterprise-dedicated work station. Ergonomic, secure, comprehensive, easy to use and to administer: by consulting its corporate clients and by exploiting its experience in the desktop area, Mandriva developed Corporate Desktop 4.0, a distribution that can be installed in less than 10 minutes and extensively customized thanks to a new post-installation tool."

Metisse is a window manager developped by the In Situ project. It is available under the GPL Licence. Mandriva Linux is using Metrisse in its latatest Live-CD. Metisse differs from a 'classic' 3D desktop in the way that it offers innovative windows interactions, thus enforcing work efficiency. It is using basic openGL commands for most of its feature and can run on entry level 3D graphic cards. This workshop describes the hard disk installation and Mandriva One setup. Additionally you will find information how to use the Metrisse 3D Desktop.

The first beta release of the upcoming Mandriva Linux 2007.1 is now available for download and testing: "Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring Beta1. Main changes: GNOME 2.17; KDE 3.5.6; Firefox 2.0; new suspend and hibernate infrastructure (with bootsplash support); new DNS servers framework (using resolvconf to handle DNS servers from multiple interfaces, and sort them by interface priority); documentation is included on live systems." Update: AdamW, OSNews reader and Mandriva employee, just emailed me that the .iso images of the Mandriva One live version are not yet the official beta version; the version currently on their servers is an earlier version with certain issues. The conventional installation .iso's are fine, though. The correct Mandriva One 2007.1 Beta 1 .iso's will be released early next week.

"For some time now, I've been working with members of In Situ team to integrate their Metisse software in Mandriva Linux and it is really exciting. Mandriva will announce very soon (today or tomorrow) Metisse will be part of Mandriva Spring 2007 and is also available as a Live CD based on Mandriva 2007.0 and GNOME right now so everybody can try Metisse right now and report bugs."

"Customers and partners can sometimes make a difference. In accordance with their feedback and Mandriva's analysis of the overall advantages and drawbacks of the longer development schedule, Mandriva decided to adjust the life cycle of the consumer oriented products to a shorter 6 month period."

"Mandriva Flash is a 2GB Dane-Elec USB key loaded with Mandriva Linux 2007. It gets points for style: the key is an attractive deep blue surrounded by a sturdy metal fence that leaves room on both ends to attach the key to a lanyard or keychain. The release notes say that the operating system and related files only take up half the space on the USB drive, leaving 1GB for my own files. This little powerhouse packs a lot of punch, once you get it up and running."

"Mandriva Flash is meant for all those who want to have a complete OS and their personal data handy at all times without the hassle of carrying a laptop around. It is a full workstation, packed with all the latest technologies. It includes the brand new Mandriva Linux 3D desktop technology, as well as the best open source software available."

"Mandriva Linux, once the most popular desktop GNU/Linux distribution, still enjoys an enthusiastic following and a positive cashflow, and has settled into the niche it established in 1999: a technologically advanced operating system that's easy to install, configure, and use without dumbing everything down. Last year's merger with Conectiva and Lycoris more than doubled the size of the company, bringing together hundreds of dedicated and experienced employees to further challenge the Red Hat and Novell desktop GNU/Linux stalwarts. Below are interviews with three of those everyday people."

LinxForums reviews Mandriva 2007, and concludes: "If Mandriva could have improved their packages, their artwork and fix a few little things here and there they could have made this release the best on the market. They got really close though, and although I can find things to criticize I am still very impressed by some of the innovations and the overall quality."