Linux Mandrake 7.2 Desktop

Unlike Windows there are many versions of Linux available. These versions are known as distributions and are all made by different companies. Each distribution is made around the same core components, the most important being the Linux kernel. Linus Torvald created the first version of the Linux kernel in the early 90's, it is heavily based on UNIX. The latest Kernel, version 2.4, was released at the start of this year. If you don't know what Linux is I have written an op on Linux in General which can be found from the main Linux section. I don't have enough time to go over it again here, so I will review Mandrake 7.2 assuming you have a basic ...  Read the complete review

For years the excuse for not swapping from Windows to Linux was because Linux was not user friendly enough. Well with the latest releases of linux this excuse can no longer be used. For the pupose of this opinion i am refering to my friend Mandrake 7.2. This distribution is fabulous. Lets start with what has baffled new users for years shall we, the installation. Mandrakes installation really couldn't get any easier, everything is automated and needs very little user input. Ontop of that, drivers. There has been the addition of many more drivers for your conveniance. Now there is one probablem that i always find with all distibutions is the sound cards. No ...  Read the complete review

Linux mandrake 7.2 is definitly the best linux distribution I have tried. It contains the latest versions of lots of software especially things like KDE 2. The install is very easy and I had virtually no problems. It autodected all my hardware even my TV card (which is a first!). The only problem with the install is the way you select software as a percentage of the total which is not very clear. Once installed it is ready to go. I was very impressed with KDE 2's enhancements. Some of the highlights are KOffice and the enhanced internet dialer which finally make linux be able to work out the DNS servers like windows does. It is definitely the easiest ...  Read the complete review

Pros: * Easy to install, infact it's only Linux distribution that i managed to install on my computer without any problems. * It is easy to update online. * RPMDrake, brilliant program for trouble free installing and uninstalling of software. * Best Linux distribution for beginners. * Comes with a very good selection of software. Cons: * Mandrake's own sound configuration called SoundDrake didn't manage to do its job, in order to get sound on my system I had to use a program called sndconfig from a CD that came with Mandrake 7.1, but there is no mention of having to use this program in the ...  Read the complete review

I have to say that this came off a cover disk, so I'm sure I'm missing some of the goodies you get when you fork out for the boxed set. Conpared to something like Debian, installation was swift, informative and went like a dream. For Windows users want to try out Linux this was an easy way in. Unlike RedHat or Debian, Mandrake comes with KDE as the GUI rather than Gnome. It looks slick and is easy to navigate. Like everything else in Linux it's extremely configurable. There's also an Office suite to go with it, KOffice, which has all the usual features. If your interest is in using Linux primarily as a desktop rather than as a ...  Read the complete review