Mandrake linux free

A quality, stable product, Mandrake Linux ProSuite Edition 8.0 proves to be one of the most user-friendly and intuitive distributions available. Based on Red Hat, it's the best choice for Linux newbies, who shouldn't have any problems running applications compiled for that distribution. But Mandrake cannot yet match Red Hat or Caldera when it comes to breadth of support. Thanks largely to aesthetic points, it is the distribution best suited to desktop and notebook use.

Frustrating, bare-bones, command-line–driven setup procedures were often the first reason to disregard Linux as a viable Windows alternative. Mandrake's DrakX installation tool spoils that objection. A clearly outlined 15-step process steers users clear of having to edit configuration files by hand.

Like most of our tested distributions, Mandrake has the 2.4.3-kernel KDE 2.1.1 and GNOME 1.4 (Debian and Turbolinux both use versions of the 2.2 kernel). Development tools and server-class services such as DNS, FTP, and Web round off a comprehensive package.

Among its array of applications and tools, the distribution includes StarOffice and Ximian's Evolution mail client. Mandrake also provides its own set of configuration tools, such as DrakConf, which lets you change system settings after finalizing your installation. DrakConf, an umbrella application that can be likened to the Control Panel in Microsoft Windows, contains a host of small tools and applications.

One of Mandrake's best features is package selection, a critical yet typically cumbersome installation step, that here, is divided into logical groups. At the top level you have two categories: workstation and server. Within these categories, packages are grouped by function and the potential role of your system. You can mix and match them until you have a final build that fits your needs. We were also impressed with Mandrake's automatic printer configuration, network wizard, and dial-up installation.

Two reasonably comprehensive manuals ship with the distribution. An Installation and User Guide walks users with little or no Unix knowledge through a Linux installation. More in-depth topics such as security and detailed system configuration are covered in the second book.

Securing your system is still a daunting task, but Mandrake has made it easier by providing Bastille, a security tools suite. Bastille lets users choose from three predefined security levels, or if they prefer, perform an advanced custom security configuration. The options include IPChains firewall configuration, file system and user security, logging, and remote access, as well as service and daemon configuration.

MandrakeExpert, a good support package, offers the free Community Support user-to-user forum and MandrakeSoft Support, an expert-to-user forum run by MandrakeSoft support personnel, billed on a per-case basis.

Copyright ?? 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in PC Magazine.