A new Mandrakelinux roadmap

___ For Immediate Release ___

New Mandrakelinux Roadmap for 2005, new version naming scheme.

Moreno Valley, CA; Paris, France - Mandrakesoft, publisher of the
Mandrakelinux operating system, today announces adjustments in the
2005 Mandrakelinux release schedule. Several changes will occur: (1) a
new release cycle for retail products, (2) a new naming scheme, (3)
the integration of Conectiva's technology into Mandrakelinux, and (4)
the immediate availability of a transitional product. 

These changes are motivated by several factors: 

1. Requests from partners and distributors for a more convenient
   release cycle; for a long time, distributors and resellers have
   asked us to adopt a longer release cycle that is more adapted to
   their specific constraints.

2. Requests from users and customer for a greater investment of time
   into the development of new features and functions.

3. The opportunity, following the Mandrakesoft-Conectiva merger, to
   build an exciting new product that will integrate the best features
   from each of these distributions.

As a result, the new release cycle for products will be annual. This
change fulfills the requirements of our channel partners and will give
us more time to invest in technology.

Taking into account this new schedule, product naming will henceforth
be based on year names. The next release will be in the fall and will
be named "2006". 

Additionally, Mandrakesoft has decided to release a transitional
version of Mandrakelinux in spring 2005. Built on the current
Mandrakelinux development branch, this version will provide up-to-date
and newly released open source software, including KDE 3.3, GNOME 2.8
and Firefox 1.0.1. This special version will be available as a DVD and
a CD set through Mandrakestore and Mandrakeclub and as a download, but
not through retail channels. 

The transitional version will be called "Limited Edition 2005".

Later, by fall of this year, the new boxed "2006" release will fully
integrate Conectiva technology and Mandrakesoft online services into a
new product. It will be released through traditional retail channels
as well as by direct sale from Mandrakestore and Mandrakeclub, and
will offer all support options and related services.

François Bancilhon, CEO of Mandrakesoft, explained: "We needed a
transitional version to give us the time to ensure good integration of
the Conectiva technology into Mandrakelinux. That's the reason why we
chose to release this "Limited Edition 2005". Additionally, we decided
to change the way we name the versions, because our users needed to
better identify our releases. As a result, we choose a new yearly
release scheme."

Both the Limited Edition 2005 and the 2006 version will be released in
32-bit and 64-bit editions.

2005 Roadmap Sumary:

Name: "Limited Edition 2005"
Expected date of release: Spring 2005 
Technology: Based on current development branch
Support & Services: No
Release Channels: Mandrakeclub, Mandrakestore (DVD + 6 CD set)

Name: "2006"
Expected date of release: Fall 2005 
Technology: Integrates Conectiva technology
Support & Services: Full
Release channels: Mandrakeclub, Mandrakestore, retail (DVD, Packs...)

About Mandrakesoft 

Mandrakesoft is the publisher of the popular Mandrakelinux operating
system, one of the most full-featured and easy to use Linux systems
available. The company offers its enterprise, government and
educational customers a complete range of GNU/Linux and Open Source
software and related services. Mandrakesoft products are available in
more than 120 countries through dedicated channels and also from
Mandrakestore.com, the company's online store. Number 1 in several
countries, Mandrakesoft has won many awards for quality and technical
innovation. "Born on the Internet" in late 1998, Mandrakesoft has
offices in the United States and France. Mandrakesoft is traded on
Paris Euronext Marché Libre (ISIN Code: FR0004159382/MLMAN; Reuters
code: MAKE.PA) and the US OTC market (stock symbol MDKFF). 

Http://www.mandrakesoft.com