Linux-Mandrake 7.2 now available for download

Enjoy a new experience in operating systems: Linux-Mandrake is now available for download

San Francisco - October 30, 2000 - The Linux-Mandrake 7.2 (Odyssey) is immediately available via different Internet servers through http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/ftp.php3. With this new version, MandrakeSoft confirms its commitment to empowering people by releasing a fully-secured solution which is one of the most complete and easy-to-use operating systems ever.

Soon to follow this announcement, Linux-Mandrake 7.2 will be available in packaged version.

MandrakeSoft will be the first publisher to include in Linux-Mandrake PowerPack Deluxe 7.2 - without any additional cost - IBM ViaVoice, the voice recognition system which facilitates dictating documents.

"With the many easy-to-use and automated administration tools provided in Linux-Mandrake 7.2, we are offering a complete operating system with powerful office tools, high-performance server applications - all tuned to a high degree of security, stability & usability. This release of Linux-Mandrake will certainly attract many Windows® Me, NT & 2000 users to Linux !" said Jean-Loup Gailly - CTO of MandrakeSoft.

Incredible graphical desktop

Linux-Mandrake was born with the objective of offering the world a fully-graphical Linux operating system; ideally, this Linux system would be easy enough for a new user to get up and running quickly, yet complete and powerful enough to satisfy the most seasoned Linux professional. We firmly believe we've achieved this goal with Linux-Mandrake 7.2.

At a time when many Linux distributions seem to be settling on one or another desktop environment, MandrakeSoft remains committed to providing the best of all available desktop environments, pre-configured "out of the box" so each Linux user can decide for themselves which environment is most appropriate. Linux-Mandrake 7.2 exemplifies this commitment by providing a comprehensive suite of graphical interfaces including :

To help with the exploration of these desktops, all the applications installed on a Linux-Mandrake system are conveniently located in the same menu categories regardless of which desktop is chosen. The menus are easy to customize and update automatically as additional applications are installed or removed.

Administer your Linux box in a simplified manner

Linux-Mandrake 7.2 makes all of its system administration tools readily available by way of the easily accessed DrakConf application located on the desktop. In 7.2, one will benefit from the new configuration utilities such as MenuDrake, which makes creating customized menus fun and easy; CUPS and Kups show you how printer administration should be while DrakNet & DrakGateway handle Internet connections (modem, DSL, Cable, ISDN, etc.) and home networking.

A concerted effort has been focused on helping those who use Linux on laptops; this has resulted in a new profile-managing tool (DrakProfile) and a graphical data synchronization utility (DrakSync).

CUPS, the Common Unix Printing System, is made available for the first time in a Linux distribution; CUPS is undoubtedly the most efficient and practical way to administer printers (single or networked). This new system has the potential to radically alter the way printing is performed on all Linux systems in the future.

The latest application are available

In addition to the newly introduced Linux-Mandrake utilities, we also include in 7.2 the latest KOffice applications that can transform your Linux box into an office powerhouse! KWord, KSpread, KChart and KPresenter are all included to help quickly dispatch your company's daily reports. In the gaming area, new additions have been included such as some great new games like Chromium, Clanbomber, Pingus, GLTron and Cannon Smash.

And Linux-Mandrake still features...

Linux-Mandrake retains many additional features that continue to make this distribution unique, such as a journalized filesystem with ReiserFS, transparent access to removable media with Supermount, the many pre-configured security levels, MandrakeUpdate for free automatic online upgrades of system software and a high level of Internationalization (several dozen languages included).

Linux-Mandrake continues to provide the world-class Internet servers that have helped make Linux a success such as Apache with PHP, MySQL, Bind, Sendmail, Postfix, OpenLDAP, and the rest...

For a visual look at Linux-Mandrake 7.2, drop by the "Quick Look" section on the Mandrake website:
http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/demos/Demo/

Then head over to one of our mirrors listed at http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/ftp.php3 and download your copy of Linux-Mandrake 7.2 today.

About MandrakeSoft

MandrakeSoft publishes the Linux-Mandrake operating system, based on open-source development (which provides free access to source code published in accordance with a General Public License, or GPL). Several hundred developers throughout the world contribute to the constant improvement of the product directly over the Internet. This international developer community has given Linux-Mandrake a product that is available in over 40 languages.

Linux-Mandrake is a very complete system with a choice of several powerful, pre-configured graphic interfaces (notably the leaders KDE and Gnome), as well as more than 2300 applications including Netscape Communicator, the StarOffice suite, and the Apache Web server.

In a testament to its success, MandrakeSoft received the awards for "Best Product of the Year" and "Best Linux-Distribution/Server" at LinuxWorld Expo 99, as well as the PC Answers Platinum Award in April 2000. The company has signed a strategic partnership with the American publisher Macmillan and held the number one spot in Linuxn North American sales for Macmillan in July & August 2000.

"Born on the Internet", MandrakeSoft established headquarters in Pasadena (U.S.) and Paris (Europe). Please visit the web site, http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/ for more information.

Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Linux-Mandrake is a trademark of MandrakeSoft S.A. All other trademarks or tradenames are the property of their respective owners.

(*) If not included in your product, the final version of KDE 2.0 is available through MandrakeUpdate.