Pasadena and Paris - October 22, 2001 - MandrakeSoft (www.mandrakesoft.com), the publisher of the powerful and user-friendly Mandrake Linux operating system, announces the immediate availability of boxed sets of Mandrake Linux Version 8.1 in retail outlets throughout the world and on www.mandrakestore.com. There are four versions of the 8.1 product, each designed to suit user needs: Mandrake Linux Standard Edition 8.1, Mandrake Linux PowerPack Edition 8.1, Mandrake Linux ProSuite Edition 8.1, and Mandrake Linux ProSuite Gold.

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 http://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: oem@mandrakesoft.com.

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 "name@mandrakeonline.net"

· 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,...).

· GNOME 1.4.1, the most powerful user environment with many enhancements such as:

· Nautilus 1.0.4: The new GNOME file browser features major speed improvements and many ergonomic enhancements based on user feedback.

· Mozilla 0.9.4: The integrated Web Browser and communication suite now has dramatic speed improvements and better usability.

MandrakeSoft's tools

· Mandrake Control Center, the one-stop location to setup and configure entire machines with:

· LogDrake: An easy tool to monitor computer activity (through logs)

· Embedded root console available for maintenance purposes

· MandrakeFirstTime: An easy-to-use wizard that helps setup desktop environment (KDE, GNOME, etc.), choose a theme and configure email settings.

· DrakNet: A tool to easily configure networks or Internet connections, including DSL.

Complete and powerful server solutions

· Enterprise Kernel 2.4.8: This special edition of the Kernel comes with native support for HI Memory (>1024 MB) and SMP (Symetric Multi Processing)

· Full support for Journalized FileSystems: XFS, Ext3, ReiserFS and JFS come in standard ensuring files integrity

· Special version of Samba: Combined with XFS and latest kernel, Samba 2.2.1.a allows Windows® file sharing with the same fine-grained permissions as Windows® NT

· PHP Groupware: A full-featured groupware suite accessible anywhere from a simple web browser with secure connection

Easy-to-use installation and system management utilities

· Server configuration wizards for a faster and more convenient use (Web Mail, Firewall, File & Printer sharing, ...)

· Mandrake Server CD: A complete server orientated distribution featuring the best Open Source server software combined with Mandrake Linux easy-to-use DrakX installer

· Web Administration with Webmin: allows easy configuration DNS, Samba, NFS, local/remote file systems and more from any computer with a secure browser connection

· URPMI: Automated software management systems URPMI provides a hassle-free way to install and upgrade applications.

· Auto-Install tool: Servers and workstations are duplicated effortlessly with the new "auto install" feature.