Mandrake Linux Community Newsletter – Issue #17

“This Week’s Summary: Mandrake Linux 8.1 boxes soon in a Store near you;
The release candidate of Mandrake Linux 8.1 for Itanium architecture;
Mandrake in the News; What’s cooking at MandrakeSoft?; Business case of
the week; This Week’s Online Poll; Security-related Software Updates;
Headlines from MandrakeForum.”

Mandrake Linux 8.1 boxes soon in a store near you
-------------------------------------------------

This week Mandrake Linux boxes started shipping to wholesalers.
Simultaneously, MandrakeStore started shipping pre-ordered boxes.
One way or another, in a few days you should have one of
Mandrake Linux 8.1 boxes in your hands.
Just a quick reminder, Mandrake Linux 8.1 comes is available in 3
editions:

- Standard Edition (Basic product, mainly for Desktop users)
- PowerPack (Additional applications and development tools)
- ProSuite  (Special server-oriented package)

A full description of different Mandrake Linux packages is available on
MandrakeSoft products pages:
http://www.mandrakesoft.com/products/range

In addition to the above mentioned packages, MandrakeStore
(http://www.MandrakeStore.com) also sells cheap 3-CD "Download Edition"
version, as well as a DVD version.

These two offers are intended for users who are familiar with Linux as
they include neither support nor manuals.


The Release Candidate of Mandrake Linux 8.1 for Itanium
-------------------------------------------------------

Constantly in the shadow of the "mainstream" Mandrake Linux version
for Pentium and compatible processors, development of Mandrake Linux
for Itanium has received very little attention so far. Obviously,
first-generation i64 architecture from Intel still offers too little
for too high a price, but sooner or later Itanium will end up in your
server room, and eventually power your desktop too.
It's good to know that Itanium-optimized Mandrake Linux will be there
when you need it!

http://www.Linux-mandrake.com/en/ia64-rc.php3

Mandrake in the News
----------------------------------------

This week, a rumor about "Mandrake Linux 8.1 Gamers Edition" leaked
out on "BluesNews"
(http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.pl?action=viewthread&threadid=29767)
first, and Slashdot
(http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=01/10/20/1755210) quickly picked up
the story.

Judging from comments on Slashdot, plenty of people out there have been
eagerly waiting for a gaming-oriented Linux distribution for a very long
time, and we are happy to confirm the story:
there will be a "Gamers Edition" of Mandrake Linux 8.1 in a near future,
and it will contain "The Sims".
(http://www.MandrakeSoft.com/company/press/pr?n=/pr/products/1318)


What's cooking at MandrakeSoft?
----------------------------------------

If You have problems with installing or running Mandrake Linux 8.1, take
a look at Mandrake Linux 8.1 errata page
(http://www.Linux-mandrake.com/en/81errata.php3), and related
discussions on Mandrake Forum (search for "errata"). These pages list
solutions to most important problems encountered so far, and reading
them can save you a lot of time.

Btw, 8.1 erratas are slowing down, i.e. we have reached the phase where
most of the problems with distribution are known, and workarounds or
bug-fixes have already been published.

Our developers are asking your help:

No laboratory is big enough to do complete tests on some types of
software (kernel, Internet connection tools, hardware detection...)
Therefore, Mandrake developers occasionally make "calls for help" on
cooker mailing list and on MandrakeForum.
This week there have been two calls for help on MandrakeForum:

First call concerns those of you who connect to Internet with (A)DSL,
especially TDSL in Germany. Support for (A)DSL in
Mandrake Linux distribution is almost legendary good, but some users
have nevertheless reported problems with this type of connection.
An updated version of the script has been provided, and you are kindly
asked to test it and report what happened.

Second call is for testing a future kernel update which solves several
security problems, and fixes Supermount.
(see: http://www.MandrakeForum.org/article.php?sid=1327?=en) Unless
some grave problems are found, this kernel
may already be in 8.1 updates directory on ftp servers, if not you are
kindly asked to join the testers.

Business Case of the Week;
----------------------------------------

The Southern Illinois Power Cooperative is a 272 MW power
generating station. Recently, they have updated their internal
IT infrastructure - including 24x7 data monitoring and
network core  services - to a robust information system
based on Mandrake Linux. The story is on Platts.com, and it's
worth a read.

http://www.MandrakeBizcases.com/article.php?sid=160

Read many more examples of Mandrake Linux in the workplace at:
http://www.MandrakeBizcases.com/

If you use MandrakeSoft products in your business, please share your
story by submitting your own personal "Bizcase".

This Week's Online Poll
----------------------------------------

Is Mandrake Linux used in Your company?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Not Yet

Cast your vote in the Voting Booth and check the results:
http://www.MandrakeForum.com/pollBooth.php?pollID=16?=en

Software Updates
----------------------------------------

Following updates have been reported since October 15-th:

Bug fixes: initscripts, locales-it, xcin,
Security:  open ssh, Zope

A complete list of all official security and bugfix updates for
all Mandrake Linux distributions is available in the "security" section
of Linux-Mandrake.com (http://www.Linux-mandrake.com/en/security/)


Top Stories of the Week from MandrakeForum
------------------------------------------

Rescue your LinuxCounter entry before it's too late!
Linux Counter is going to freeze almost 100.000 inactive accounts on
November the 1-st. Check if yours is one of them, and save it before
it is too late!
http://MandrakeForum.com/article.php?sid=1283?=en

Mandrake/PPC related discussion on Mandrake Forum?
Mandrake Linux 8.0 version for PPC processors has been neglected
on MandrakeForum so far, but you can change this. If you are
a lucky owner of an iBook, or a "cube", and want to discuss
about PPC-specific issues on MandrakeForum, go for it now:
http://MandrakeForum.com/article.php?sid=1310?=en

How Many Hits Can A Mandrake Server Take?
Ever wondered how much traffic could your web server take? Comments
attached to this article will help you find out what are the limiting
factory in your case, and how to benchmark your web-site.
http://MandrakeForum.com/article.php?sid=1309?=en

Online update trough HTTP proxies
Software Manager (rpmdrake) is coming of age. One of the missing
features which have been added to a newest rpmdrake version is
"updating trough HTTP proxies". Read what other users have to say
about the latest rpmdrake here:
http://MandrakeForum.com/article.php?sid=1313?=en

Urpm in Mandrake Linux 8.1
As you know, rpmdrake is just a graphical interface to urpm tools.
In Mandrake Linux 8.1, these tools have been updated. In particular,
search facilities have been greatly improved since Mandrake Linux 8.0
distribution.
http://www.MandrakeForum.com/article.php?sid=1277?=en