LinuxHouse

Mandrake Linux was created in 1998 with the goal of making Linux easier to use for everyone. At that time, Linux was already well-known as a powerful and stable operating system that demanded strong technical knowledge and extensive use of the "command line"; MandrakeSoft saw this as an opportunity to integrate the best graphical desktop environments and contribute its own graphical configuration utilities and quickly became famous for setting the standard in ease-of-use and functionality.

With this innovative approach, MandrakeSoft offers all the power and stability of Linux to both individuals and professional users in an easy-to-use and pleasant environment. Thousands of new users are discovering Linux each and every day and finding it a complete replacement for their previous operating system. Linux as a server or workstation has no reason to be jealous of any other more established operating systems.

Using the Open Development model that has helped make Linux a success, MandrakeSoft provides independent programmers and volunteer users with a pilot version of its upcoming distributions, code-named Cooker.

Hundreds of volunteer developers have been attracted to this project and the possibility of pooling their ideas and programs to create the best Linux distribution available. This ability to organize members of the Linux community is also part of the Mandrake touch, and allows MandrakeSoft to provide the latest versions of Linux programs.

Differences with other Linux operating systems:

With a user-friendly graphical installation process recognized by many as the best available, Mandrake Linux offers the most advanced and efficient hardware detection.

A graphical approach to system administration, in addition to the command line, makes Mandrake Linux the operating system which takes integration and management of a user interface the
furthest to dispel the image of a Linux system managed only via command line or text mode.

Friendly and integrated environments

Perfect integration of user-friendly graphical environments such as KDE and GNOME provide comfort and ease-of-use.

Several pre-configured security levels

Mandrake Linux offers several pre-configured levels of security. A user can therefore choose a desired degree of security specifically for their computer.

Centralized configuration system

Thanks to the Mandrake Control Center, a user can resort to a single panel to administer the entire system.

Who uses Mandrake Linux?

Individual users without specific IT knowledge who require a Linux distribution that is simple to use. Mandrake Linux is by far the easiest.

Experienced users who prefer not spending hours installing and configuring their Linux machine. Mandrake Linux is the most effortless Linux system to install and maintain.

Professionals who need powerful, comprehensive and stable systems. Mandrake Linux is the most complete Linux distributions and is quickly becoming one of the most favored systems in businesses (see http://www.mandrakebizcases.com/ for many examples of MandrakeSoft in the workplace).

A few examples of how Mandrake Linux is being used:

Personal purposes:

• Office (StarOffice, KOffice, Abiword, Gnumeric, Evolution...) Internet (Web, Email...)
• Multimedia (Video, Audio MP3, RealPlayer...)
• 2D and 3D games
• Advanced programming (C/C++/Java/Assembler/Perl/Python/HTML/PHP/GTK/QT)

Server use:

• Web server (Apache with HTTP, PHP...)
• Mandrake Linux is used to operate computers that deliver web pages.
• Database Server (PostgreSQL, MySQL, IBM DB2, Oracle...)
• Mandrake Linux is a useful operating system for computers designed to host database and to link them with Internet servers.

LDAP Server
A LDAP server stocks one or various directory data bases.

FTP Server
FTP Server are the computers that deliver files following the FTP protocol.

DNS Server
A DNS server attributes the IP addresses (numeric addresses) of computers linked to the Internet.

NIS Server
A NIS Server enables the globalization of user accounts on a given network

File Server in a Windows environment
Mandrake Linux manages the attribution and sending of files in a network of computers running on Windows thanks to the Samba application.

Email Internet Server (SMTP, POP3, IMAP...)
Mandrake Linux is used in companies and on the Internet to manage employees' electronic mail.

Print Server
Mandrake Linux administers printing services for all machines in the computer network.

Scientific calculations (SMP, Clusters...)
Mandrake Linux is widely applauded by organizations and all those who need to carry out scientific calculations. Its optimization for modern processors gives Mandrake Linux a significant
advantage in comparison to other Linux systems.