Mandriva

Urpmi also has an easy-to-use graphical front-end called rpmdrake, which is integrated into the Mandriva Control Center.

Rather than GNOME, PCLinuxOS uses the KDE desktop environment and is essentially a lighter-weight version of Mandriva (see below).

Formerly known as Mandrake, Mandriva is notable for its cutting-edge software, excellent administration suite and 64-bit edition.

Instructions on adding repositories and installing software can be found on the Mandriva Wiki.

Despite the technical excellence, Mandriva Linux has had a roller coaster ride in recent years.

Our recommended method for installing new packages is to use the Mandriva package management system.

Nevertheless, Mandriva has been struggling lately as a result of some controversial decisions made by its French maker.

You can also download individual packages for your installed Mandriva system.

In the same year I was invited to join the marketing department at ConectivaSA, today known as Mandriva.

Mandriva Linux contains the Mandriva Control Center, which eases configuration of some settings.

The product lifetime of Mandriva Linux releases is 18 months for base updates and 12 months for desktop updates.

For instructions on how to install and remove software and set up additional repositories, please see the Mandriva Wiki.