What Is Mandrake?
Mandrake is a Linux distribution that changed its name to Mandriva in 2005. The company offers both personal desktop and enterprise server versions of the operating system. Most of the products offered by Mandriva are available for a price, but the basic desktop version is available to download and use for free. The server version is also available to download and test for free.
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Linux
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Linux is an open-source Unix-like operating system. Like Unix, Linux is a multi-user, multitasking operating system. This means many people can perform multiple tasks simultaneously on one machine.
Because Linux is open source, there are many different versions, or distributions, of the operating system. Each distribution has a set of features or default applications that make it different from any other. Open source also means that each distribution can choose to distribute the software for free or charge for it.
History of Mandriva
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The original version of Mandrake was created by Gael Duval and released in 1998 under the company name MandrakeSoft. It was designed to be an alternative or replacement for the Windows operating system. In 2001, the Mandrake Expert and Mandrake Club---communities where Mandrake users could interact and have questions answered---were created. In 2003, Mandrake Move was introduced. This was the first USB based Linux desktop.
In 2005, MandrakeSoft merged with Conectiva, a Brazilian Linux vendor, and the name was changed to Mandriva. Also, in 2005, Mandriva acquired Lycoris, a North American Linux distributor. The company acquired Linbox Rescue Server.
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Mandriva Features
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Mandriva is an RPM-based Linux distribution. This means it uses the RPM package management system for software installation and management. The package manager for Mandriva is called urpmi, and has a graphical front end called rpmdrake.
The Mandriva Control Center contains the drakxtool set, which are used to configure system settings. Mandriva uses the Galaxy II theme for the applications and the desktop environments. Mandriva comes with the KDE, GNOME and Xfce and twm desktop environments.
Personal Versions
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Linux One is Mandriva's freely available option. It is possible to download and burn the OS on a single cd-rom. It includes the option to run the OS completely off the CD, which allows users to try the distribution without actually installing it.
Powerpack is a Mandriva desktop application that is available to purchase. This version includes software applications that are not available on the free version. The purchase price also entitles the user to online support for installation and configuration.
Mandriva Flash is a complete Linux distribution on a flash drive. The operating system can be run completely from the flash drive, including saving documents. Users can also install the operating system onto a computer from the flash drive.
Mandriva also offers an online backup solution called Click'n Backup. The backup solution is fully integrated into the desktop environment. Users can access their backups from their computers or over the web through a dedicated interface.
Enterprise Solutions
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Mandriva offers a Linux server version that is free to download and evaluate. They also offer a directory server for managing employees, customers and partners as well as network resources. The Pulse 2 product provides support for software and hardware inventory, applications and updates deployment and provides help desk functionality.
The Linbox Rescue Server is a complete backup and recovery solution for businesses. It can be used on both the Windows and the Linux operating systems. It includes a web console and complete software and hardware inventory.
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