In addition to packaging KDE SC 4.4.2 for the just released Mandriva Linux 2010 Spring Beta 1, the hard-working Mandriva KDE Team, lead by Nicolas Lécureuil (neoclust), have also prepared packages for current stable version of the distribution. To get the latest version of your favourite desktop and applications first add the packages repository by issuing this command from Konsole (as root user of course):

If you’re using a 64-bit edition:
urpmi.addmedia KDE-4.4 ftp://ftp.kde.org/pub/kde/stable/4.4.2/Mandriva/2010.0/x86_64

If you’re using a 32-bit edition:
urpmi.addmedia KDE-4.4 ftp://ftp.kde.org/pub/kde/stable/4.4.2/Mandriva/2010.0/i586

If possible use KDE mirror that is closest to your location. In case you already have a repository for an older KDE SC 4.4 release, you can just edit the URL from Mandriva Control Center. After the repository is configured use the following command to automatically update all repositories, select all updates and perform a test update:

urpmi --auto-update --test

If all goes well the updated packages should get downloaded and you should get a message that the installation of updates is possible. Now run the previous command again. this time without the "–test" switch, wait a few minutes and the latest and greatest of KDE software should be installed. Don’t forget to logout and login and all will be ready. Enjoy!

In the beginning of February Mandriva announced the creation of Mandriva Linux Assembly with aim of improving communication between users, contributors and Mandriva company. All to make Mandriva Linux distribution even better than it already is. I candidated as a representative of translators, although I also try to help as much as I can with testing development versions. Well a few days ago the results of the vote came in and after some shuffling of positions, to better represent different parts of community, I became a Cooker Chef, representing translators. Thanks to all who voted for me and thanks to Fabrice Facorat for transferring his spot to me. I’ll try my very best to do my job well. If any of you have any problem with translating and localising Mandriva Linux or have an idea for improving the process, do not hesitate to get in contact with us. You can find us on translation forum or mailing list.

Since this is my first blog post on Planet Mandriva, let me also say “Hi!” and introduce myself. I’m a 28 years old Free Software enthusiast from Bohinjska Bistrica, Slovenia. As far as Mandriva Linux goes… I’ve started using Mandrake with version 7.0, sometime around the year 2000. I began contributing to Mandriva Linux in 2003 by testing beta versions and reporting bugs. A few years later I also started helping translate it into Slovenian language and in 2008 I became the Slovenian translations coordinator. I’ve also tried to learn some packaging but didn’t have much time yet, maybe sometime later Besides this, I also contribute to two more Free Software projects: Thousand Parsec (a framework for creating space-empire-building 4X strategy games) and KDE. Additionally, I’m an active member of Linux Users Group of Slovenia (LUGOS).

Enough about me. Now let’s get back to making Mandriva Linux the best translated and localised distribution available.

A new version of one of the most user-friendly distributions of free and open source operating system Linux has just been released. Mandriva Linux 2008 Spring (or 2008.1 if you wish) packs quite a lot of goodies. It brings official full support for the highly popular ASUS Eee PC laptop, has easier synchronisation with various mobile devices, a new parental control utility, Elisa multimedia centre is there, so is Codeina for easy multimedia codecs installation. They have also switched to PulseAudio sound server, updated software to latest versions (yes even KDE 4.0.3 is available) and given the distribution a fresh new look. Go download it from here (or via BitTorrent) and while downloading be sure to check out a visual guide to what’s new in Mandriva Linux 2008 Spring.

As with previous releases I also did my fair share of beta testing and bug reporting this time. In addition this is also the first release where I have been the coordinator of Slovenian translation team. We did a great job and almost everything is translated. The only thing left are initscript messages (which are hidden most of the time).

Even during beta testing this release proved to be of very high quality. Looks like after some hiccups a year or two ago Mandriva have put their act together and the quality of releases is increasing every year now. They are also doing a great job with improving their relationship and interaction with community. If they continue in this direction they can soon be back at the top, although it will be hard since unfortunately there is not so much hype surrounding Mandriva as there is around some other very popular Linux distribution.

Tags: mandriva, linux, distributions, eee pc, eeepc, free software, open source, operating systems

A couple of days ago a French company Mandriva released the final version of Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring (also called 2007.1). One of the major new features in this version is the integration of Metisse, an advanced window manager that provides an easy to use environment for designing and implementing new innovative ideas for computer desktops. They have also added the very popular Beryl, a 3D OpenGL-accelerated desktop which makes Windows Vista Aero look like an old and boring slideshow. In Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring you will also find KDE 3.5.6, GNOME 2.18. Firefox 2.0, Thunderbird 2.0 and OpenOffice.org 2.1.

I downloaded PowerPack DVDs two weeks ago, as I am a member of Mandriva Club where I was enrolled in Early Seeders program for BitTorrent sharing. First I upgraded my sister’s computer which was running Mandriva 2007. All went without a hitch and she is now enjoying the new Mandriva 2007 Spring. Later during the week I also installed the new version onto my laptop, where I have a special partition which I use for testing various Linux distributions. All works fine here too.

The only annoyance was the new Mandriva themed KDE start button. While it looks very nice it took up way to much valuable space in kicker (about 3 or 4 buttons long). This was quickly solved by following these instructions to switch back to default KDE K menu button.

In my opinion Mandriva Linux with the release of 2007 Spring remains one of the best Linux distributions for new Linux users (right next to Kubuntu). For more information about the new release check out:
Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring Release Announcement
Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring Release Tour (with screenshots)
Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring Release Notes

And of course, don’t forget to download Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring and check it out for yourself.

Another great thing is that Mandriva is back to 6 month release cycle. So work has already begun on the next version and Frederik Himpe has written about some of the features that might come with Mandriva Linux 2008.

Tags: mandriva, linux, spring, distributions, metisse, beryl, free software, open source, operating systems

From this day forward Mandrake is no more. The French company, famous for their simple to use Linux distribution, has changed the name into Mandriva. There are two primary reasons for this step. Firstly, Mandrakesoft - Conectiva merger needs a new identity. Furthermore, they avoid a long-winding trademark lawsuit with Hearst Corporation. It is time to update your bookmarks to Mandriva Linux, Mandriva Club and other web pages

You can read more in this press release:
Mandrakesoft Announces Name Change!