MandrakeSoft Upgrades Its Desktop Linux

MandrakeSoft has upgraded its desktop Linux operating system for machines running x86 processors, improving the installation process and adding newer versions of Linux components, the company announced in a statement this week.

Mandrake Linux 9.1 is based on version 2.4.21 of the Linux kernel and includes the KDE (version 3.1) and Gnome (version 2.2) open-source desktop environments, along with version 2 of the open-source Apache Web server.

Included as well are version 1.3 of the open-source Mozilla Web browser and version 1.0.2 of the open-source productivity suite OpenOffice.org, the company said in a statement.

Also new with Mandrake Linux 9.1 is support for the Advanced Configuration and Power Standard, allowing improved power management in laptops; for NTFS (Windows NT File System) partition resizing in the installer; for "a number" of Wi-Fi devices; and for antialiasing, which improves the way fonts look on screen, the company said.

The core version of Mandrake Linux 9.1 is downloadable now from MandrakeLinux.com.

Those who prefer receiving the product in a box can place orders now. Orders will be fulfilled beginning in mid-April.

There are three retail versions of Mandrake Linux 9.1: one for regular users, one for power users, and one for small and medium-size businesses, which cost $40, $70, and $200, respectively.