According to Frédéric Bastok, co-founder and CTO of MandrakeSoft, "Our user-friendly and powerful solution, which includes over 2500 applications, suits both the server and the desktop markets perfectly. Moreover, our range of offerings is expanded with major new features such as MandrakeOnline, MandrakeSoft's new service. With the top level support of MandrakeExpert, Mandrake Linux 8.1 users benefit from quick response technical support of MandrakeSoft's experts."

Available packages

Mandrake Linux 8.1 is available at leading software retailers and on www.MandrakeStore.com:

Mandrake Linux Standard Edition: The key to Linux. Both beginners and experienced users appreciate the easy-to-use graphical installer which features automated hardware detection. It includes 3 CDs plus detailed Installation Guide and 30 days of MandrakeExpert web technical support and MandrakeOnline.
Suggested Retail Price: $29
Available: October 22, 2001

Mandrake Linux PowerPack Edition: All the power of Linux. PowerPack includes the best Open Source and commercial applications currently available for Linux with easy to use wizards and customized configuration tools. PowerPack 8.1 is ideally suited for setting up a full-featured workstation.
It includes 7 CDs packaged with thousands of the latest Linux applications, a comprehensive Installation & User Guide, a detailed Reference Manual, 30 days of phone support and 60 days of MandrakeExpert and MandrakeOnline.
Suggested Retail Price: $69
Available: November 12, 2001

Mandrake Linux ProSuite Edition: The Linux server solution. Designed for small and medium businesses, Mandrake Linux ProSuite Edition 8.1 has been specifically customized to include all the necessary tools to build a Linux Server Solution. ProSuite Edition 8.1 scales easily for large enterprise deployments. It includes 9 CDs (with a special Mandrake Server CD) + 1 DVD packaged with thousands of the latest Linux applications and server configuration wizards, Extended Server Support including 60 days phone support and 90 days of MandrakeExpert and MandrakeOnline. As an added benefit there are 2 update CDs during the product life.
Suggested Retail Price: $149
Available: November 12, 2001

Mandrake Linux ProSuite Gold Edition: This special version of the ProSuite Edition includes:

• Mandrake Linux ProSuite Edition 8.1 for Intel's Itanium Processors (IA64)

• Extended server support by phone, web, mail and fax and MandrakeOnline for one year.

Suggested Price: $1190
Available in mid November only in the USA, France and Germany through MandrakeStore

Mandrake Linux OEM Edition 8.1 and Master CD (to make their pre-installation easier) are also available for desktops & servers at leading hardware vendors. For more information: [email protected].

New features of Mandrake Linux 8.1

Services included

- MandrakeOnline, MandrakeSoft's new service offers many possibilities:

• Alerts on security or package updates according to hardware and software configuration

• Email alias "[email protected]"

• Special rebates for MandrakeExpert, MandrakeSoft's online top-level support platform www.MandrakeExpert.com

- MandrakeExpert enables Mandrake Linux users to benefit not only from community technical support but also from top-level support furnished by MandrakeSoft's experts (48 hour response time).

Best graphical interfaces

MandrakeSoft continues to build on its promise of offering a fully graphical Linux operating system for both the novice and professional user with the latest leading Open Source environments.

Mandrake Linux 8.1 contains the latest versions of the best graphical interfaces, including:

• KDE 2.2.1, the user-friendly environment with the most integrated and easy-to-use features:

• Konqueror: The versatile file and web browser now includes enhanced JavaScript support and better HTML rendering.

• Kmail: The integrated and powerful KDE mail client now includes support for IMAP servers and many ergonomic enhancements.

• KOffice 1.1: The complete and light-weight KDE office suite has undergone major changes since version 1.0 (complete rewrite of Kword, inclusion of a new chart application called KVivio, improvement of MS Office filters,...).