Mandriva Linux Development

Mandriva Linux it is a combination of two distributions that is the Brazilian one called Connectiva Linux and French based called Mandrake Linux. The model was initially released on 23rd July,1998 with its developer being Mandriva. Its Kernel type it is Monolithic Linux and after every 18 months, there is always for base updates such as software and Linux updates.

The latest release of the Linux was on 28th August, 2011 which led to formation of OpenMandriva the continuation of Mandriva. It was established by the French Law to represent OpenMandriva community and the first version of the OpenMandriva Linux was developed and it was characterized by the 2011 Mandriva Linux model.

Features of the Mandriva Linux

Desktop

In 2011, when the Mandriva Linux was released, Plasma Desktop came along with it. Other desktops were there but not fully supported by the Linux.

Package Manager

Urpmi it is the package manager that is used by the Mandriva Linux which has functions of wrapping to the rpm binaries.

Its ability to retrieve back packages from other sources of media, makes it media transparent

Live USB

The Live USB of the Mandriva Linux can be manually created.

Installing, control and Administration

To make configuration easier, the Mandriva Linux has a control center to manage also its settings.

Mandriva Linux Editions

The following are some of the major editions of the Mandriva Linux and each has been derived from same Linux and available in open software and free versions:

Mandriva Linux Free- This edition requires one to install the distribution to the computer before it starts running. It was designed and made available for public download with no charges applied. It aimed at users who preferred installing in the CD system and also to those whom having freedom of software was important.

Mandriva Linux One- Its download is free either in a live CD or an installer. The Mandriva Linux One editions were provided to the preceding Mandriva Linux of 2008. This edition gave the users options to choose the languages on either KDE or GNOME desktops. Each of the versions of the Mandriva Linux One included non-free software.

Mandriva Linux Power pack- DrakX it is an installer that comes with the Mandriva Linux Power Pack that it is used to install the distribution to the desktop before it starts running. This edition requires payment which has an intention of adding value for the end user.

Mandriva Linux Discovery­- It was sold through the Mandriva store and also it could be downloaded by the subscribers of the Mandriva Club. This edition was aimed and directed to users who use the novice desktop since it has a simplified menu layout which was easier to work with.

Mandriva Linux Power Pack+ – This version is the same with the Power Pack version having additional packages especially the commercial software.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Mandriva Linux.

Advantages

  • It has special configuration tools for instance msec which gives permit to the user to change the settings from GUI
  • The development committee responsible for the manufacturing of Mandriva Linux is open and accessible.
  • If you have KDE and GNOME together installed in your system, the program menu is easier to work along with.
  • All graphical configurations are centralized in their Control Centre.

Disadvantages

  • Late security updates
  • The configuration tools may be tampered with bugs.

Installation Process of the Mandriva Linux

Before the installation process begins, the following are the requirements:

  • A processor of any Intel
  • A RAM of 512MB being the minimum but 1BG it is the most recommended
  • A hard disk with a recommended capacity of 6GB, minimum is 2GB
  • Graphics card such as NVIDIA. This will depend on compatibility of the hardware and the database.
  • Sound Cards such as HAD and AC97 which are supported by the Linux
  • Controllers such as SATA, IDE and some that are supported in RAID mode.

The following are the main steps of installation:

  • Insert the CD and reboot the system
  • Press ENTER button when the Welcome message appears on the screen and follow the instructions carefully.
  • Once the installation is complete, take out the media when ejected and automatically, the system restarts. If it does not, restart it manually.
  • Mandriva Linux will start after that, and you can login using the user account that has been set up during installation.

Beside the process above, you can also install the Mandriva Linux from network media. At this point you will be required to have a bootable image on a CD to start the installation process and change to a network media.

If you have graphical installation problems, you can use Text Mode installation whereby you will be required to press F1 at the Mandriva Linux Welcome Screen.

OpenMandriva Linux

This edition was produced in 2012 when Mandriva Linux was abandoned. It was established by the French Law to represent OpenMandriva community.

The first version of the OpenMandriva Linux was developed and it was characterized by the 2011 Mandriva Linux model.

Its final release of the OpenMandriva Linux was released in 2016, and after its release most of the developers started abandoning the i586 processor design in the OpenMandriva.

OpenMandriva Linux Installation

The installation of the OpenMandriva it does not have much difference with the Mandriva Linux installation process. The following are the major steps in installing the OpenMandriva Linux:

  1. Select the language to use
  2. Accept the licensing agreement
  3. Once you have accepted the agreement, choose your time zone and format it to either 12 hours or 24 hours.
  4. Click next and select the Keyboard layout
  5. Once done, double click the ‘openmandriva lx installer’ icon and choose the language you will use.
  6. Go through all steps in setting up the installation and once done remove the installation medium and restart the whole system.

OpenMandriva Linux Pre-Installed Applications

OpenMandriva usually comes pre-installed with some of the applications such as:

  1. Libreoffice which includes calculator, document reader among others.
  2. Firefox Internet
  3. Graphics supported by Glenview image viewer
  4. Multimedia
  5. Accessories such as HP send fax, ark.

Conclusion

In summary, the Mandriva Linux has been of great importance in the technology world. The versions of it has led to better developed systems and easy to work with. Additionally, the introduction of OpenMandriva Linux has led to better experience than the Mandriva Linux. Booting process is fast, possible and it can be easily installed in the desktop.

It gives an option of choosing a video driver during installation. All the configuration tools have been centralized in the Control Centre making it available to the Mandriva users.