Mandrake Linux PowerPack Edition 8.2

The PowerPack edition features 7 CD-ROMs packed with thousands of the best open-source and commercial applications, an installation guide, plus a detailed reference manual. Support is also included with this package: you'll get 60 days of free, premium Web-based support via MandrakeExpert.

Create office documents with StarOffice 6.0, the Microsoft Office-compatible Linux office suite. Manage your personal finances with GnuCash (Quicken compatible), and read PDF documents with the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Access the Web securely with Mozilla or Konqueror, and edit images and photos with the GIMP, powerful graphics manipulation software. You can also create and enjoy MP3 and Ogg files using Grip and XMMS, or burn CDs easily with Gcombust. Mandrake Linux 8.2 PowerPack Edition also includes the latest development environments (Kdvelop, QTDesigner, and Glade), and the latest programming software and choice of programming languages (C, C++, JavaPerl, PHP, Python, and Fortran).

While RedHat is suited better for enterprise users, Mandrake and SuSe try to adapt their packaging for the average home user. SuSe 8.0 has to be the "easiest" linux distribution out there now by virtue of its great system configuration tools and streamlined installation. While Mandrake 8.2 has good configuration tools, it lacks the friendliness and wide scope of SuSE Linux.

Two features that caught my eye in this distro are:

1. Mandrake's utility for configuring Samba file sharing and browsing, and
2. Mandrake's font installer. Unattractive, out-of-the-box fonts typically plague Linux distributions, so a good font installer is a must. In tests, the Mandrake font utility was much easier to use than the KDE-based utilities that come with Red Hat and SuSE.

Overall, Mandrake 8.2 has taken some great steps. However, if you are looking for a replacement for Windows, SuSe 8.0 is a better option.


Best Linux yet.   May 22, 2002
Thomas ward (Coshocton Oh, USA)
18 out of 19 found this review helpful

I've been using Linux for about two years and Mandrake 8.2 is the best I've seen yet. Here is what you get with Mandrake 8.2.

Easy to setup with Mandrake's graphical installer drakx. Includes great packages such as cups print server, proftpd, postfix, Star Office 6, Real Player, kamera, chat, and scanner software.

You can choose from 11 desktops including Gnome and KDE. You get games, multimedia, development, and a large assortment of extra printer drivers, and special Mandrake configuration tools to get up and running pretty easy and painless.

I had Mandrake 8.2 installed in about 30 minutes, and it was near painless. It was the easiest install of any Linux distribution I have ever done.

So if you are sick of Windows, and are looking for something else try Mandrake 8.2. Even old Linux hands can enjoy 8.2.


highly recommended by a beginner in linux   October 26, 2002
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

easy install on a dell 8200 pentium4 w/santa cruz sound card w/nvidia 4, viewsonic
digital lcd, wireless logitech keyboard and wheel mouse via ps/2, old panasonic
dot matrix. all working under linux mandrake v8.2. and automatically configured
my dsl connection. soon to kiss mr gates goodbye. my computer came with
win xp on it and it froze on the first day. wiped it out and put on win98 until i
could find a linux distro that would work for me. try it, u will like it!


I cannot believe there is no telephone support   August 30, 2002
5 out of 15 found this review helpful

I totally agree with Elmer P. VanDenburgh's comment on this product, after buying this product you have to pay for extra cost to get extended phone service. On top of that, the customer service person at California is totally rude.


Mandrake is getting closer to perfection...but not yet   July 7, 2002
G. Maxwell (Pennsylvania)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Mandrake 8.2 is a big improvement over the last two releases; however, the install routine locked up toward the end of my installation...twice! Fortunately, when I restarted, it booted up normally and everything worked fine.

I like the interface although Mandrake chose to go with the KDE 2.2.2 desktop instead of 3.0.

Although there are some bugs, it is every bit as good as Windows XP or any Windows for that matter! After a few days of getting used to where things are, you will be doing evrything that you did under Windows but at a lower total cost of ownership, and with more applications than you would ever know what to do with!

Buy it if you're looking for a stable, secure desktop without the licensing hassles associated with...well...you know who!