Mandrake Linux PowerPack Edition 8.1

MandrakeLinux PowerPack Edition 8.1 offers seven CD-ROMs that include thousands of open-source and commercial applications, packaged with phone and Web support, a comprehensive installation and user guide, plus a detailed reference manual. The PowerPack edition allows you to perform securely and thoroughly all computing tasks: multimedia and office tasks, server deployment, software development, Web development, and more. Assisted by easy-to-use wizards and customized configuration tools, you will be able to set up your own full-featured Linux workstation smoothly and quickly. PowerPack Edition 8.1 includes: Kernel 2.4.8 and 2.2.19, KDE 2.2.1, GNOME 1.4.1, KOffice 1.1, Evolution 1.0 beta 3, Mozilla 0.9.4, XFree86 4.1, Glibc 2.2.4, gcc 2.96 and 3.0, RPM 4.0.3, and QT 2.3.

The install only took me a half an hour and it detected all my hardware without a hitch. The only peice of hardware i own that wasn't linux friendly was a winmodem that came bundled with my Dell Dimension Desktop. But i've already found some online sources to help me with that problem (at the installers suggestion).

The OS comes fully loaded with an MS compatible office suit and all the tools i need to scan, edit photos, play multimedia, and burn cd's. I beleive the pro-suite boasts a full 7 CD's full of applications for whatever your heart desires. It has everything from internet chat programs (icq/aim/yahoo compatible) to applications for developing your own programs. The firewall is a big plus since i'm switching to a cable modem and i'll constantly be online. It has a bunch of window managers (gnome, kde, sawfish, etc.) and it even installed a graphical LILO that let's me choose which OS i want to run, since i'm still dual booting with Windows ME. But hopefully after i get my feet wet in the linux world, i will eventually be able to stop using that. Plus it's very multiuser friendly and supports true type fonts... the list just goes on and on and on.

I would definately recommend this product to any desktop users considering switching to linux. I've been blown away by this product, especially if your hardware can't keep up with the rigorous demands of XP... my 800mhz pc feels top of the line again when i'm running linux.


Easy Install/Configuration. Consistent, logical Menus   January 24, 2002
Scott E Bicknell (San Jose, CA United States)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

Mandrake PowerPack 8.1 is the best path for migration from Windows. Its collection of desktop software is more complete than Red Hat's, and its menus are logical and consistent from one window mangager to another. SuSE probably has more applications in their Professional edition, but Mandrake's menus and configuration tools, including its installation routine, are better.

With Red Hat, I had to download many applications to have just what I wanted. Mandrake includes all of them. Red Hat and SuSE both have disorganised menus that are not consistent from one window manager to another. So when switching to, say Window Maker from KDE, most of the applications you use will not have menu entries for convenient startup. You will have to configure them manually if you are not running Mandrake.

Even within KDE or Gnome, finding menu entries for often-used applications can take time because of the poor organisation within Red Hat. Mandrake's menus, on the other hand, make finding applications easy.

Personal firewall software is included and is set up through a wizard that asks very clear questions about how your machine will be used on the internet. Setting it up takes about 2 minutes.

Do not be put off by the lack of boxed application software for Linux on the shelves at your local software store. Most applications are included and what isn't may be downloaded and used free of charge. Very good office applications are included: StarOffice 5.2, GnuCash for personal finance, Evolution to replace Outlook, Galeon and Opera for tabbed-interface web browser fans, dozens of games of every kind, and the usual endless choices for programs in all categories that open source software junkies have come to expect.

If you are looking for an escape route from Microsoft's licensing shake-down tactics, from the endless upward spiraling costs of software/hardware upgrades, a low cost complete software bundle, and better security and stability than Windows can offer you, then you won't find a better solution than Mandrake Linux PowerPack Edition 8.1.

When comparing its price with Windows, gather together into a pile Windows XP, Office XP, Visual Studio 6.0, personal firewall software, and as many games as you want. Add up their prices and compare the total with the price on the Mandrake box. Consider what you could buy with the difference between them. This is a truer price comparison than comparing operating system cost with operating system cost. Now take out the software from the Windows pile you would never buy and revise your total. The difference should still be impressive.

Compare the hardware requirements, including what each vender recommends, and if in considering Windows XP you are also considering buying a new computer to run it, include the cost of that in your evaluation. When added together, the cost of all the software and hardware to run Windows XP should give you cause to shudder.

The Mandrake Linux alternative will save you thousands of dollars. And if you get your software from your buddy at work ;-) Linux will give you the freedom to share your software without violating license agreements. You may make as many copies of it as you like and install them on as many computers as you like, and give them to as many of your friends as you like--legally.


As easy as Windows, and more powerful   December 12, 2001
Bryan W Tighe (Arlington, VA United States)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

Mandrake Linux installs effortlessly. When you need to install new sotfware onto your machine, this task is also effortless. I'm a first time linux user, and I was outright shocked at how easy the whole procedure was. People say, "sure, but Windows is easy, too." But, Windows crashes. Windows doesn't have a webserver right out of the box. Windows doesn't have enormous libraries of FREE software to install. Windows doesn't run fast on older machines. Linux does all these things and more, and the Mandrake team has put together the tools that make it easy enough for the average person to switch over with no hassle.


mandrake is awsome period   December 3, 2001
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

This OS rules, and its great for newbies. It was the only linux distro to detect my ethernet card and video card. It comes with over 6 user interfaces such as gnome, kde, enlightenment, ( my personal favorite) blackbox, and many more (unlike windows which has only 1). The installation was fairly easy, very graphical, you could also choose different themes for the installation. Hardware detection and installation was impeccible. It even has a graphical LILO (linux loader) for those who want dual-boot so you can use both mandrake and windows. You can also edit the configuration files to suit the way you want linux to run. So if your tired of using microsoft windows and want more options, stability, multi-tasking, multi-user, multi-server, and multi-desktop get mandrake!. ... And also the game station rules such as Tux racer!


Mandrake Linux 8.1 Power Pack-Good Value   January 5, 2002
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

I bought this product as an alternative to MS Windows 2000. I had had major system problems with Windows 2000 -- multiple crashes arising from conflicts between it and other so-called windows compatible software (including its own drivers and service paks).

The Linux install went very smoothely. It recognized all of my hardware. I picked the Gnome desktop and found it as appealing as Windows but more flexible. Linux is another flavor of Unix and as such is very mature and stable. Though I did something which caused the system to freeze, I was able to work around it, and regain control without rendering the OS unusable.

There's a load of software that comes with the package and I'm having a great time exploring it. Star Office is a powerful integrated package that includes a word processor and spread sheet (MS Office has to be purchased separately and may conflict with Windows 2000) I've discoved that there is a desktop beyond Windows that delivers stability and operability but without a big price tag or licensing restrictions.