More Linux power: Mandriva 2009 launched

It’s not news that Linux became a very popular OS among the average computer users and with several good Linux distributions available, Linux has also become a preferred operating system. A such Linux distribution is Mandriva and I’m sure many of you are familiar with it as it combines the Linux power with stability and ease of use.

The good news is that Mandriva is richer with one new version, the Mandriva 2009. While the Linux market is currently dominated by Ubuntu, a very powerful Linux distrubution, Mandriva comes in force and will try to make a stand. So, as an Ubuntu user, let’s review some of the features of Mandriva 2009 and let’s see if it can convert me into using it.

Mandriva 2009 important features:

- Revamped Control Center;
- Redesigned installer;
- Improved boot speed;
- Repositories are automatically configured;
- Better mirror management;
- Out of the box support for many webcams;
- Improved DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support) management;
- Improved language selection;
- Implementation of the PolicyKit and PackageKit technologies;
- Improvements to the Mandriva Windows Migration and Parental Control utilities;
- Live Upgrade (was about time);
- initscript improvements;
- Atheros wireless network (WLAN) drivers;
- Splashy boot splash system;
- Support for the Intel G41 graphics chipset;
- system-config-printer, the new printer configuration utility;

The new Mandriva also includes KDE 4.1.2, GNOME 2.24 and Linux kernel 2.6.27.

It’s obvious that Mandriva took a very serious leap ahead and will compete with Ubuntu directly, matter that will benefit us users greatly.

You can download Mandriva 2009 free from our software archive.