Through this partnership with Shenri, MandrakeSoft now offers local language support and expertise for its award-winning distribution. MandrakeSoft also established an R&D center in Shanghai devoted to the optimization of the Chinese version of the Linux-Mandrake distribution. The initial tasks of MandrakeSoft's new engineering team in China include package maintenance and development and translations.

Thanks to excellent collaboration between Shanghai and Paris teams, the 8.0 version of the Linux-Mandrake distribution now fully supports Chinese in both GB2312 code and Big5 code, including viewing, input and printing.

« We are very excited about expanding to China », said Jacques Le Marois, CEO, MandrakeSoft. « By teaming with Shenri Technology, we are demonstrating our commitment to pursue global expansion and always being at the forefront of Linux technology by delivering a global Linux. With this new development center and a well-adapted product integration, we will provide complete Linux solutions tailored to this specific market with optimal support. It is also a new step towards ensuring our global presence and success."

"We are extremely pleased with this partnership, as MandrakeSoft shares our common goal of delivering high-value, world-class software to the Linux community, stated Yang Jun, CTO of Shenri Technology. "Linux-Mandrake is the most popular retail version of Linux on the market and we strongly believe in MandrakeSoft's high potential in China."

About MandrakeSoft

Mandrakesoft provides a trusted interface between users of information technology and open source developers. The company offers customers in the small office, home office (SoHo), small and medium size enterprise, government and educational sectors a set of GNU Linux and Open-Source software and related services, user-friendly and highly competitive information technologies at a very attractive total cost of ownership. In addition, Mandrakesoft offers technologists committed to open software and courseware a trusted channel to offer their services.

The Linux-Mandrake distribution, which became the leader in US retail sales last year (PC Data), received the awards for « Best Product of the Year » and « Best Linux-Distribution/Server » at LinuxWorld Expo 99, as well as the PC Answers Platinum Award in April 2000, the Linux Magazine Editor's Choice Award in September 2000 and the Chip Magazine « Best Technique and Winner of the Test » in December 2000.

« Born on the Internet » in late 1998, MandrakeSoft established headquarters in Pasadena (U.S.), Montreal (Quebec), England, Germany and Paris (Europe). Please visit the Web site, https://mandriva.com for more information.

About Shenri Technology

A leading company in IT infrastrature and e-commerce solution in China, Shenri Technology has just merged iTRANS, a private company focused on applied linux and founder of SLPC (Shanghai Linux Professional Committe). In 1998, iTRANS started www.linux.org.cn to serve the Chinese Linux community. The Plinux distribution, which was merged into the Linux-Mandrake distribution was published, aiming to further the ease of use of Linux. Since 1999, iTRANS has developed a linux based server (1jt), supporting e-commerce applications for small to medium enterprises, which was awarded "Best creative IT product" in 99, Shanghai.
For more information, please visit the Web site, http://www.1jt.com