From: Denis HAVLIK <denis@mandrakesoft.com> To: <lwn@lwn.net> Subject: Mandrake Linux Community Newsletter - Issue #17 Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2001 17:42:17 +0100 (CET) *********************************************************************** M A N D R A K E L I N U X C O M M U N I T Y N E W S L E T T E R Issue #17 Tuesday, 30 October 2001 *********************************************************************** Welcome to the Mandrake Linux Community Newsletter -- dedicated to keeping you up-to-date with the latest Mandrake-related news & info. You are receiving this newsletter because you have subscribed to one of the Mandrake services. To be removed from this mailing list, or to request the newsletter in a different language, please see the bottom of this page for instructions. *********************************************************************** 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&lang=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&lang=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&lang=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&lang=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&lang=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&lang=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&lang=en