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Mandrake 6.1 Flattens the Linux Learning Curve

Linux Mandrake 6.1 is similar to Red Hat Linux, but it's easier to set up and use.

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Red Hat has received a lot of attention for its Linux packages, and deservedly so--its distribution of the operating system is stable, versatile, and will run on just about any PC. But Red Hat Linux is still geared toward IT professionals who need a server operating system, and it remains a bit too rough around the edges for use as an everyday desktop OS.

That's where MandrakeSoft's Linux Mandrake comes in. Mandrake adopts some of Red Hat Linux's components, and software packages built for Red Hat will work on Mandrake. But Mandrake adds some real value: The developers have worked hard to configure the system to work well, right out of the box. With Mandrake, Windows users can start using Linux as a desktop OS without huffing and puffing over a huge learning curve.

Also, at just $50, Mandrake's new 6.1 PowerPack--with a staggering 1800 applications--is a better value than the $64 Red Hat Linux 6.1 Deluxe (packaged with more than 300 applications). Linux Mandrake can also be downloaded free, and Macmillan offers its Mandrake 6.1-based package, Macmillan Complete Linux 6.5, for $27.

Linux for the Rest of Us

Linux Mandrake 6.1 has been optimized for Pentium-class CPUs and comes with cutting-edge versions of the Linux kernel (2.13 prerelease 7), the KDE interface (version 1.1.2), a recent version of the GNOME graphical user environment, the PGCC compiler, and version 3.3.5 of the XFree86 graphics subsystem, which supports a long list of graphics cards. Because of the Pentium-optimized kernel, Mandrake won't run on 386- or 486-class computers. But this won't be a problem for most users, and otherwise, Mandrake's hardware compatibility list is impressive--as good as Red Hat's.

Mandrake 6.1 uses the same installer as Red Hat Linux 6.0 and earlier, which makes for a relatively easy (albeit text-based and lengthy) installation. One serious drawback to the installer is that it cannot shrink or move existing hard disk partitions to make room for Linux, so you'll have to do that with a third-party program like PowerQuest's PartitionMagic. Linux distributions from Caldera and Corel (set to launch next week) handle this process for you.

Once installed, the KDE graphical user interface is neatly set up with desktop shortcuts, system utilities, and programs. And we loved the slick, easy-to-use update applet, Mandrake Update, which lets you keep your Linux system current with just a few mouse clicks.

Despite the prerelease Linux kernel in Mandrake, our test system--a 500-MHz Pentium III machine with 128MB of RAM--never crashed during the course of testing. The PGCC compiler, however, refused to run a recompile of the Linux kernel source code, a refining process that can make your Linux system run leaner and faster.

But overall, Linux Mandrake achieves its goal, making Linux easy to install and easy to use right out of the box. If you're curious about Linux and want to give the operating system a try, Linux Mandrake 6.1 is a great place to start.

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