Mandrake Linux 9.2 released

Mandrake Linux 9.2 celebrates 5 years of Innovation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Altadena, CA; Paris, France; October 14th, 2003 -
MandrakeSoft, a leading Linux producer, today announced the availability of
a new version of its flagship operating system -- Mandrake Linux 9.2
"FiveStar". This new release celebrates the fifth anniversary of the
Mandrake Linux distribution. Version 9.2 delivers many new and exciting
innovations to the Linux world and to the worldwide computing
audience. Mandrake Linux 9.2 (FiveStar) is available in four versions
tailored for individual computer users and for small/medium-sized
businesses including a new "Discovery" pack, an easy-to-use desktop product
customized for first-time Linux users. The PowerPack is a comprehensive
bundle for Linux power-users. Also available is the Mandrake Linux 9.2
ProSuite, a full-featured server product for businesses and
enterprises. All Mandrake 9.2 products can be pre-ordered at
MandrakeStore.com. A Download Edition is also available. An Athlon64®
version will ship at the end of October.

An updated range of products

Mandrake 9.2 Discovery is a unique new Linux product that even a computer
 novice can use. The Discovery Pack has been designed to ensure a smooth
 transition from MS-Windows® and includes everything needed for a
 full-featured Linux desktop or laptop workstation. The Discovery Pack
 includes all the best Web, Email and Office applications, including the
 famous Microsoft® Office-compatible suite OpenOffice.org 1.1 (which offers
 substantial enhancements such as on-the-fly PDF generation). The Discovery
 Pack also provides dozens of games and multimedia software such as a MP3
 and DVD players, RealPlayerTM, FlashTMPlayer, plus many other
 favorites. The Discovery Pack's graphical installer is simpler to use than
 ever, even for inexperienced users, and allows Linux to safely share the
 computer with an existing Windows installation. Suggested Retail Price:
 39.00 USD/EUR. The Discovery Pack includes 2 CDs, 1 Manual, 30-days
 web-based Installation support, plus one month MandrakeClub membership.

Mandrake 9.2 PowerPack is the perfect Linux environment for advanced PC
users who need a multi-purpose product. The PowerPack provides numerous
advanced features for Linux "power-users" with an extended collection of
applications, including desktop, server and development software. Suggested
Retail Price: 69.00 USD/EUR. Includes: 7 CDs, 1 Starter Guide, 60-day
web-based Installation support and one month MandrakeClub Membership.

Mandrake 9.2 ProSuite is an affordable solution for businesses. The
ProSuite is specifically designed for large desktop deployment, Intranet
& Internet infrastructures, and features automated server setup. The
ProSuite Edition has received numerous awards by the press, most recently
by InfoWorld and Open For Business. Mandrake 9.2 ProSuite includes several
extended support options and provides the unique opportunity to evaluate a
complete version of IBM's® DB2® Universal DatabaseTM for 90 days. Suggested
Retail Price for the ProSuite is 199.00 USD/EUR and includes 9 CDs, 1 DVD,
1 Starter Guide, 1 Reference Manual, 5 phone-support incidents for 60 days,
90-days of web-based Installation support and 3-months MandrakeClub
Membership.

All Packs include third-party applications such as Adobe® Acrobat®
ReaderTM, FlashTMPlayer, RealPlayerTM, and additional drivers that support
devices such as Conexant® modems and Alcatel Speedtouch® USB.

Mandrake Linux 9.2 Download Edition is the "core" Mandrake Linux
product. The Download Edition ISO images are available now to MandrakeClub
members and to the numerous developers and translators who contributed to
making Mandrake 9.2. The public release of ISO images is scheduled for the
end of October 2003, when Mandrake retail packs begin shipping. A special
15-day offer is available for "Silver" level Club members and above: These
members can download the first three ISOs of the PowerPack, which includes
everything from the Download Edition plus numerous additional applications
such as Adobe® Acrobat® ReaderTM, FlashTMPlayer, RealPlayerTM.

Additional information about MandrakeClub's benefits and subscription
options can be found at:
http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/club

"Mandrake 9.2 marks a new step in MandrakeSoft's quest to offer easy-to-use
Linux products for all computer users. We've put extensive research and
numerous innovations in the new 9.2 release, and the Mandrake 9.2 product
line has been revamped to better suit users' needs; particularly with the
arrival of our first real desktop product -- Mandrake Discovery", declared
François Bancilhon, CEO of MandrakeSoft.

Most advanced Linux features

Mandrake Linux 9.2 -- based on Linux 2.4.22 and ready for Linux 2.6.0 --
offers the most advanced features currently available, in terms of
technology as well as the comprehensive selection of up-to-date software.

In addition to recently introduced technologies such as NTFS partition
resizing, ACPI power-management, "Zeroconf" network support and support for
many of the latest WiFi devices, Mandrake 9.2 offers numerous improvements
such as automatic configuration of more printers, scanners, and
multi-function devices than ever before.

The software management utility URPMI/RPMDrake, which was recently
acclaimed in a Linux Weekly News study, now offers built-in GPG keys
management support. The Mandrake Linux 9.2 upgrade process has also been
improved to be more efficient and trouble-free.

The minimal hardware requirements for Mandrake Linux 9.2 are listed on the
features page at: http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/9.2/features/ 

Unequaled ease of use

Continuing the tradition of making Linux easy-to-use with unique features
such as the famous "dynamic desktop" for auto-detected devices, various new
improvements have been introduced in Mandrake Linux 9.2 such as a refined
"MandrakeGalaxy" look & feel which offers an attractive and consistent
appearance in the various Linux graphical desktop environments currently
plus improved support for anti-aliased fonts.

The various ergonomic improvements include a revamped interface for several
utilities including DrakPerm (system permissions utility), DrakSec
(security tool), PrinterDrake, UserDrake, and contextual help for most
Mandrake tools.

Top security features

Mandrake 9.2 includes all the tools required for a secure and modern
operating system. For instance: security levels can be easily modified
depending upon the intended use of the system. Additionally, Mandrake 9.2
includes a full-featured firewalll tool that can be easily used to block
and stop attacks coming from the Internet.

A new feature for entreprise environments is the new Mandrake Linux account
management system - UserDrake - which now offers Account expiration and
locking, plus password aging capabilities.

Internationalization and Linux Standards

Building upon 5 years of leadership in the Internationalization field,
Mandrake 9.2 offers major improvements with full or partial language &
font support for 63 languages.

Mandrake 9.2 also offers LSB1.3/LI18NUX compliance.

Mandrake Linux 9.2 for i586 processors will ship to more than 120 countries
through MandrakeSoft's online store at 
http://www.mandrakestore.com. Store
shipment and retail availability will commence at the end of
October. Mandrake 9.2 for Athlon64® will be released at the end of
October.

Additional information is available at the following locations:

Mandrake Linux 9.2 complete specifications, screenshots and package list:
http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/9.2/features/

Mandrake Linux 9.2 Packs, descriptions and comparisons:
http://www.mandrakesoft.com/products/92

Mandrake Linux 9.2 Pre-orders (Discovery 9.2, PowerPack 9.2, ProSuite 9.2):
http://www.mandrakestore.com

MandrakeSoft professional services and complete range of products:
http://www.mandrakesoft.com

About MandrakeSoft

MandrakeSoft is the publisher of the popular Mandrake Linux 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
been awarded many times for quality and the technical innovation of its
products. "Born on the Internet" in late 1998, MandrakeSoft has established
headquarters in the U.S.A. and in France. MandrakeSoft is traded on Paris
Euronext Marche Libre (Euroclear code: 4477.PA; Reuters code: MAKE.PA) and
the US OTC market (stock symbol MDKFF).