Mandriva Linux 2009 threesome outed

So many flavours, so little time

By Kelly Fiveash • Get more from this author

Posted in Software & Security, 10th October 2008 11:27 GMT

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Mandriva has released the latest version of its desktop Linux distribution, which comes loaded with new KDE, Gnome, Firefox and OpenOffice tools.

Mandriva Linux 2009 was made available for download yesterday. It reduces boot time and includes an installer that optimises the platform for diminutive laptops, the open source software publisher said. Three editions of the distie are available: One, Powerpack and Free.

Mandriva Linux 2009 One is the beefiest edition of the platform, and it comes in eight versions: four KDE, and four GNOME. It’s not available as a x86-64 version, however, as the distie is i586-only.

Powerpack is the commercial edition for those fanboys out there happy to part with some cash for the Linux desktop platform, with a few added bits of proprietary software, support and services built in for £47 a pop.

Unsurprisingly, Free Mandriva Linux 2009 is, er, free. It’s the simple version of the distie for all the open source puritans out there not interested in Intel, Java, Flash etc.

KDE 4 serves as the default desktop, which comes with lots of new features, including an improved email client and organiser. But Mandriva admits that there are “a few unfortunate regressions” compared to KDE 3. It’s working on updates for these.

The distie also includes the Firefox 3 web browser and version 3 of the OpenOffice.org productivity suite.

Mandriva also boasted about being “on the money” with its entry into the netbook market in spring this year. Support is available for all Eee models including Acer Aspire One, the MSI Wind, and others, the company said. ®

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