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Mandriva Linux 2010.0 Released

Paul Lilly — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:18:07 -0600

Already feeling bored with Ubuntu and thnk you're ready to start experimenting with other Linux distros? You may want to consider Mandriva Linux 2010.0, which was just released on Wednesday.

Mandriva 2010.0, or "Adelie" if you prefer to use its codename, promises to be snappier than previous versions, including faster boot times. It's built around the Linux 2.6.31 kernel, which means improved hardware support as well, and the feature-list unrolls from there. Just a sampling of these include improved parental controls, easier WiFi setup, easier partitioning with Ext4 now being used as the default file system, a new security framework, better virtualization, and more.

Some helpful links:

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Image Credit: Mandriva

There's Way More to Linux than Ubuntu: 8 Distros Compared

Will Kraft — Thu, 07 May 2009 11:30:00 -0500

Yes, there is more to Linux than Ubuntu. As you are probably aware, there are many different types of Linux to choose from, even though not all get the attention they deserve. These are organized into separate distributions, (distros) and each one is different. If you've read our previous Beginner's Guide to Linux, you are already familiar with the advice we gave about choosing the right distro for your needs. This guide will shed more light on some of the more common distributions in use today and will cover the distinct advantages or disadvantages of each.

For the purpose of comparison, we personally tested each distro and critiqued it based on several distinct areas: appearance, ease of use, system administration, software/package management, security, and the level of support available for the distro. We graded each factor on a scale of zero to five: 0 – Abysmal or non-existent; 1– Very bad; 2 – Needs improvement; 3 – Average; 4 – Good; and 5 – Excellent. We hope that this guide will give you a better understanding of the current state of Linux, so you can make an informed decision about choosing the right Distro without just defaulting to Ubuntu (which we've included in this roundup)

Fedora

History

Fedora Linux is the successor to Red Hat Linux. It was formed when the original Red Hat Linux distribution was discontinued in 2003 and was redesigned as Red Hat Enterprise Linux, a primarily server-oriented distribution. The desktop aspect of the old Red Hat Linux became Fedora as part of a community-based movement called the Fedora Project. Although Red Hat currently sponsors the Fedora Project, there is little direct involvement. Due to this, there is a degree of separation between Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which is currently the only “official” distro in the Red Hat product line.

Fedora is designed as a desktop-oriented distribution. All server functionality has been separated into the official Red Hat Enterprise Linux distribution, available from Red Hat. Since RHEL requires a non-free support contract, a community-oriented clone of RHEL called CentOS was created. Since the free software licenses that RHEL falls under mandate the release of all source code, CentOS was created based on that code. CentOS is virtually identical to RHEL aside from differences in artwork/branding.

Appearance

Fedora has always been a very attractive distribution. By default, it uses a very rich blue color scheme that goes well with the standard GNOME environment. Although Fedora has always been a classic GNOME-based distribution, it does have packages for KDE 4 and other window managers.

Intended Audience and Ease of Use

Fedora is a very well-done operating system, on par with Ubuntu. Fedora is mostly intended for a desktop audience; if you want a Red Hat-based server system, you would be far better off with CentOS. Fedora is about as easy to use as any other desktop-oriented distribution.

System Administration

Fedora is like Ubuntu in that there is no centralized system administration utility like Mandriva's DrakX or openSUSE's YaST. However, what is presented is adequate to properly administrate the system. The only downside is that the system administration menus in Fedora's implementation of GNOME are slightly non-standard, but this is easy enough to get used to.

Software and Package Management

Fedora uses the “Yellow Dog Updater, Modified” (YUM) tool to manage its packages. There is a frontend for this called PackageKit which allows you to manage programs much like similar programs in openSUSE and Mandriva. In addition to that, there is also a tool called apt-rpm that allows you to have Debian/Ubuntu-like package management in Fedora if desired.

Although Fedora has quite a bit of software available for it in the official repository, there is not quite as much as there is for Ubuntu or Debian. Fortunately, FreshRPMs.net is able to partially compensate for this problem. To facilitate this, there is a tool in the administration menu that allows you to easily manage your software sources.

Support Availability

Fedora's documentation is fairly poor compared to that of other distros, so any assistance must come from outside sources. Unlike Ubuntu, Fedora has a strict stance on allowing only free open source software in its default installation. (this means no non-free proprietary drivers are available out of the box) Fortunately, Fedora includes a guide about how to set up non-free software if you need it. Like Ubuntu, Fedora has an entire support forum dedicated to it: http://www.fedoraforum.org.

Security

Security is where Fedora truly shines. Out of all the distros we tested, Fedora had the best level of out-of-the-box security. There is a proper separation of root and regular user accounts on Fedora. In addition to that, Fedora also comes equipped with SELinux (a security-focused extension of the Linux kernel) out of the box and provides a nice interface to manage it. Although openSUSE and Ubuntu also support SELinux, it does not come pre-installed on those distros at the time of this writing. Fedora also provides a nice interface for setting up and managing a firewall.

Bottom Line

Fedora is a very well-developed distro, and is one of the best choices if security is a top priority.

Appearance: 5 --- Fedora looks great and is very professional.

Ease of Use: 4 --- Fedora is suitable for most users

System Administration: 4 --- There is no centralized administration, but the tools work well enough

Software & Package Management: 5 --- Package management is easy and there is a lot of software to choose from if you include extra repositories

Security: 5 --- Rock-solid. We would give this a 6 if our critique scale went that high.

Support Availability: 5 --- There is extensive documentation available and an entire support forum to answer your questions.

Total: 28/30

Mandriva Linux

History

Mandriva is the descendant of the older MandrakeLinux distribution. The name change occurred because of legal issues; the Hearst Corporation filed a trademark claim over the name “Mandrake”, even though MandrakeLinux had nothing at all to do with the “Mandrake the Magician” character in Hearst's publications and there was no reasonable way that the two could be confused with each other. From the very beginning in 1998, MandrakeLinux was geared as a novice-friendly distribution. This allowed it to find its niche with new users in the years before Ubuntu came on the scene. Although Ubuntu has overshadowed many other distros, Mandriva is still very capable and enjoys a strong following.

Appearance

Mandriva has three versions, each with different artwork and appearance. The color theme in the free edition is a light blue that is aesthetically pleasing, while the non-free editions feature a darker theme that helps to effectively differentiate them from the free version. Mandriva has been primarily a KDE-oriented distro ever since the days of MandrakeLinux, and Mandriva 2009's use of KDE 4.2 is extremely effective and useful. Although KDE 4.2 offers the traditional KDE menu, Mandriva has a special implementation of it that provides additional functionality (it shows previous commands/documents and provides a run command prompt while the default menu does not)

GNOME 2.24 on Mandriva is also done well. Instead of including the bare minimum with its GNOME packages, Mandriva has taken the extra time to make GNOME as nice as the KDE component. GNOME uses the “La Ora” theme by default, which includes nice sounds and window decorations. Even small Window managers like IceWM include a degree of customization, which is unusual. All in all, the distro is meticulously built, which is a very good thing.

Intended Audience and Ease of Use

Mandriva has always been easy to set up and use. Although there is no LiveCD functionality in the Mandriva 2009 DVD, (The CD releases do incorporate LiveCD functionality) the setup utility is straightforward and very easy to use. Unlike Ubuntu, Mandriva allows you to determine which packages you want to install. Current versions of Mandriva are just as easy to use as MandrakeLinux was. Mandriva makes no distinction between a desktop and server release; typical server functionality like Apache and MySQL are bundled with the desktop distribution. However, these are not installed unless you specifically select them on the custom installation screen in the setup utility.

Mandriva also offers a unique proprietary tool called Codina. This tool allows you to purchase the codecs required to watch encrypted DVDS and play certain audio formats like MP3. (MP3 is not supposed to work out of the box on Linux due to software patents) Many Linux users frequently use unlicensed audio codecs to provide MP3 support and tools like DeCSS to break DVD content protection so they will be able to watch the movies they paid for. While such activity is technically illegal under the United States patent law and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, many people feel that such laws (especially the DMCA) are unjust and are able to get away with using the unauthorized tools and codecs for free. Codina offers a solution to new users who may not know how to use the unsanctioned utilities or may wish to stay completely legitimate.

Mandriva has some proprietary tie-ins and is not pure open source software. On the desktop, there are two icons that allow you to join the Mandriva Community and upgrade to the the non-free deluxe edition of Mandriva. By default, Mandriva shows a splash screen that advertises Mandriva “One” (the middle grade) and Mandriva “PowerPack”. (the premium version) However, these icons are easily deleted and do not really hinder your performance in any way. The advertisement screen can be disabled by un-checking a single box, but its presence may upset more die-hard Linux users. On the flip side, there are plenty of Linux users who would be open to the idea of paying for certain features if they are truly worth the money. Ultimately, it comes down to a matter of personal choice, and Linux is here to serve everyone.

System Administration

Regardless of the desktop environment in use, Mandriva includes excellent system administration tools in addition to the standard tools provided by the desktop environments themselves. Both sets of tools work well together and don't step on each other's toes. The Mandriva Linux Control Center (DrakX) is a very nice program that includes modules for software management, online administration, hardware, network & internet, system, network sharing, local disk settings, and boot settings.

Software and Package Management

Mandriva provides a wide assortment of software out of the box. Two complete desktop environments (GNOME and KDE4) are available on the DVD release, in addition to IceWM and other small Window Managers. Mandriva's implementation of KDE seemed better than that of Kubuntu. Like most distros, Mandriva comes fully loaded with all types of software like internet tools, graphics utilities, and the OpenOffice.org 3.0 office suite. (mostly things that are standard in practically every distro) Mandriva also includes extensive documentation (including a complete manual) which is a valuable resource if you are new to Mandriva or Linux in general.

Mandriva is a RPM-based distro. While it is possible to install packages on the command line, many new users prefer to use a graphical frontend instead. The package management frontend tool provided in Mandriva is excellent, with packages organized by category and the ability to exclude packages based on certain criteria (like the absence of a GUI)

Support availability

Mandriva has support available from Mandriva Expert, the official support service from the distro maintainer. Mandriva Expert offers several tiers of service: answers for individual questions from regular users are provided for free while a subscription provides a response in a guaranteed amount of time. There is also unofficial support available at LinuxQuestions.org

Security

Mandriva offers good security with proper separation of root privileges from regular user accounts. Sudo is properly implemented with the root password required for temporary privilege escalation.

Bottom Line

Mandriva is an excellent distro. It is very beginner friendly and offers an exceptionally good KDE 4.2 implementation. For a desktop-oriented distro, Mandriva is one of the best around. However, it is not 100% free.

Appearance: 5 --- (All window managers are effective and the distro is quite attractive)

Ease of Use: 4 --- (Mandriva is one of the easiest distros we have used, but multimedia codecs cost extra)

System Administration: 5 --- (Exquisite management tool makes managing the distro very easy)

Software & Package Management: 5 --- (The package installer is excellent and has a wide selection of software. The days of RPM hell are over for Mandriva. )

Security: 4 --- (Security out of the box is what it should be, but it doesn't have anything extra)

Support Availability: 3 --- (Help is out there, but it is not as good as Ubuntu or Fedora)

Total: 26/30

openSUSE

History

openSUSE is a distribution published by Novell. It is derived from the original SuSE distribution, which was originally not freely available. The distro was renamed to openSUSE when Novell decided to make the distribution free to encourage community involvement. Technologically, openSUSE is the equivalent of the professional edition of the original SuSE. In recent years, Novell and openSUSE have come under scrutiny ever since Novell made an infamous deal with Microsoft about rather baseless patent allegations. (however, we are going to ignore that event and focus on the software itself)
openSUSE is not the only distribution under the SuSE brand; Novell also makes SuSE Enterprise Desktop and SuSE enterprise Server. These two distributions are not related to the openSUSE in any way other than the name. Unlike openSUSE, they are not free and receive much more direct development attention from Novell.

Appearance

Like Mandriva, openSUSE (and SuSE before it) has traditionally been a KDE-oriented distro. By default, openSUSE comes equipped with KDE 4.2. The appearance of openSUSE is downright beautiful; we could tell that quite a bit of time was spent making this distro look good. The standard green theme in KDE 4 was very good, although the blue window decoration looked out of place amongst all the green. openSUSE's GNOME implementation is rather strange and is very different from the standard GNOME appearance.

Intended Audience and Ease of Use

openSUSE is a nice middle-of-the-road distro. While it is not as simplified as Mandriva or Ubuntu, it does have its moments. Although the interface is fairly straightforward, openSUSE caters to developers and higher end users. One of the way is this is apparent is the inclusion of a build resource in openSUSE that allows users to compile software for multiple distros. This can be done over the web or through a local command-line utility.

openSUSE is primarily a desktop-oriented distribution, but it does include server-oriented functionality as well. The installer for SuSE is one of the best we have ever seen, and makes setting up the system very easy.

System Administration

Like most other distros, openSUSE comes fully equipped out of the box and uses a package manager to install and maintain software. For this purpose, openSUSE uses a utility named YaST. (Yet another Setup Tool) However, YaST is much more than a mere package manager; it allows the system administrator to manage software, hardware, system-wide settings, network devices and services, Novell Apparmor, security, virtualization, documentation, and more. YaST is designed to be failsafe; if you accidentally break the GUI, YaST will still work in a simplified text mode and will remain fully functional. YaST is a much more centralized and advanced administration tool than many other distros include, although it is not quite as easy to work with as Mandriva's equivalent. YaST makes the other tools provided by the KDE4 desktop environment seem superfluous in comparison.

openSUSE also includes a unique tool called Sysinfo that is sort of a YaST-powered plugin for the Konquerer component of KDE4. Sysinfo shows detailed system information in real-time.

Software and Package Management

Although YaST makes package management simple, we noticed that there was not quite as much software available for openSUSE as there is for Ubuntu or other distros.

Support Availability

openSUSE offers paid support and an official forum

Security

Although security is generally good, openSUSE suffers from the same flaw as Ubuntu: out of the box, the regular user's password can be used to perform root-level activities. This was readily apparent when we tried to install software with YaST; we were prompted for the root password, but the root password was the same as the password for our regular account! It is possible to define a separate root password with “sudo passwd”, but this really should have been done during setup. On the flip side, SuSE does include Novell AppArmor and can also use SELinux.

Bottom Line

openSUSE is primarily a developer's distro, since it has multiple developer tools like Eclipse and Netbeans in its repository and features a unique build service to make compiling software for multiple distros easy. Once the security problem is resolved, openSUSE is serviceable enough.

Appearance: 4 --- (KDE is the best solution, since the non-standard GNOME has more of a learning curve)

Ease of Use: 4 --- (openSUSE is a bit more complicated than other distros we reviewed for this article)

System Administration: 5 --- (Yast is extremely powerful and thorough, but is also quite complicated compared to Mandriva's tool)

Software & Package Management: 4 --- (YaST resolves dependencies and has a frontend for package management, but there is not as much software available as for other distros)

Security: 3 --- (The security is adequate but could be improved)

Support Availability: 4 --- (Better than Mandriva, but not as good as Ubuntu)

Total: 24/30

Knoppix

History

Knoppix is what most people think of when they envision a Linux Live CD. Knoppix was created by Klaus Knopper, a native of Germany. Unlike most Linux distributions, Knoppix was designed to run in real-time from a CD in a temporary session instead of being installed to the hard drive. During its session, Knoppix makes no changes to your computer's hard drive; when the Knoppix session terminates, the computer will be exactly the same way as it was before.

Appearance

Versions of Knoppix prior to 6.0 have traditionally used a complete version of the KDE 3.x desktop and the other software that goes with it. Historically, each release of Knoppix has used different artwork for the wallpaper and boot prompt screen, but other parts of the UI have remained largely consistent. Version 6.0 is a radical departure from other versions; the aging KDE 3.5 desktop has been removed and replaced with LXDE. (Light X desktop Environment) This version of Knoppix is much faster than previous versions since it does not have the inherent overhead of a heavy desktop environment like KDE. Unfortunately, this also means that Knoppix has been trimmed down somewhat. GNOME users may prefer Gnoppix, a fork/derivative that is built around GNOME instead of KDE or LXDE.

Knoppix is unique to many other distros in this article in that it provides accommodations for visually impaired users with a specialized “Adrianne” release as of version 6.0. This is named for Klaus Knopper's wife Adrianne, who has a visual impairment. This version incorporates screen-reading tools and uses a text-based menu by default instead of starting a GUI automatically.

Intended Audience and Ease of Use

Knoppix generally has a dual audience. While it is ideal for people who want to give Linux a try without committing to a full installation, Knoppix is really best used as a system rescue disc. This is an invaluable resource to Windows users, since many OEMs fail to provide adequate rescue tools; the typical disk image restoration tool that most OEMs provide makes no attempt to allow users to recover their files before destroying the old installation. Since Knoppix is a Live CD, it is able to bypass a damaged system and allow you to access the contents of any hard drive on your computer. Knoppix is also a solution for secure on-the-road computing or forensics; it is sometimes convenient to carry a Knoppix CD with you to provide a sterile and fully trustworthy computing environment if you know you are going to need one.

The Knoppix environment is temporary. Although you are able to create files and save them to your home directory in Knoppix, the files will not last beyond the end of the current session. However, Knoppix allows you to create a “persistent home directory” which will allow files to be saved to a file on the hard disk that works like a virtual home directory.
Knoppix is available in only two languages (English and German), only offers one desktop environment, (If you like KDE, stick with version 5) and is only available for the x86 chip architecture. All official versions of Knoppix are 32-bit, but unofficial 64-bit rebuilds are available if you know where to look.

System Administration

Not required!

Software and Package Management

Although it fits on a 700 MB CD, Knoppix features a massive collection of software, (over 1000 packages) made possible through efficient on-the-fly decompression. Knoppix packs in more software than many other distros include out of the box. (the DVD version of Knoppix has even more) Since Knoppix is a read-only operating system, a wide assortment of software is necessary for the operating system to be useful for a wide variety of purposes.

Knoppix can be installed to a hard disk like any other operating system, but it is seldom a good idea to do so. Knoppix was designed to be a Live CD operating system, and installing it does not change that fact. Since it is a variant of Debian, Knoppix uses the Aptitude package manager and is mostly compatible with the Debian repositories. However, keep in mind that the software that came pre-installed on Knoppix is not handled by Aptitude and must therefore be managed manually. (This is one of the many reasons why installing Knoppix is not recommended) Also, since Knoppix is a mix of the various branches of Debian, package management can be a nightmare.

Support Availability

Since Knoppix is a Live CD and not an installed distribution, there is no enterprise-level support for it. Although Knoppix is mostly binary-compatible with Debian, Knoppix users are generally not welcome on support services which cater to Debian. However, there is an official forum where Knoppix users can get their questions answered: http://www.knoppix.net/forum/ Other unofficial support resources can be found with a little bit of time on Google.

Security

Since Knoppix is read-only, no security is really needed.

Bottom line

Although you would have to be crazy to install Knoppix on a production computer like you would with any other distro, Knoppix fills an important niche and should be in everyone's toolkit as an emergency rescue disc.

Appearance: 3 --- The artwork is nice, but the distro looks a bit rough around the edges compared to others.

Ease of Use: 5 --- As far as rescue discs go, nothing beats a fully self-contained operating system.

System Administration: N/A (defaults to 3) --- It's a Live CD; there's nothing to administrate!

Software & Package Management: 1 --- Package management on Knoppix is difficult yet possible, but you would seldom need to install anything. Since nothing lasts between reboots, adding software to a session is mostly futile; you would be better off re-mastering the disc.

Security: N/A (defaults to 3) --- There's nothing to secure, since the operating system is automatically reset each time it is used

Support Availability: 5 --- Very good for a Live CD distro

Total: 23/30

Ubuntu

Overview and History

Today, when most people think of Linux, Ubuntu comes to mind first and foremost. This amazingly popular distribution has experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity since its introduction in 2004. Back then, the Linux world was a very different place; although Linux had been making slight progress towards mainstream desktop use, Ubuntu was the first distro that tried to be accessible for everyone. The very name of Ubuntu echoes this sentiment, since it means “humanity to others” in Zulu. This philosophy is put into practice, since one of the main cornerstones of Ubuntu is a large and dedicated user community. This resource is often invaluable for new users.

Ubuntu was born as a solution to a problem. From a technical standpoint, Ubuntu is a direct descendant of Debian. Debian is one of the “classic” Linux distros, and Ubuntu greatly resembles its “parent”. While a well-earned reputation for stability has always been a prime asset of Debian, it caused a new problem: years would often pass between Debian releases because of the time it took to make a new version “stable” by Debian standards. To alleviate this problem without compromising Debian in any way, the code for the Debian unstable branch (which was still sufficiently stable, despite its name) was forked, and the new branch became Ubuntu.

Appearance

By default, Ubuntu uses a distinctive brown color scheme. This has received fairly mixed reviews throughout the Linux community; some people like the color scheme while others despise it. Ubuntu also includes the other typical GNOME themes, like Crux, Motif, Glider, etc even though there is a shortage of wallpapers to choose from out of the box.

Kubuntu is much more generic in its appearance; there is very little to show it is associated with Ubuntu at all. The interface situation of Ubuntu is rather strange; on one hand, you have a heavily customized and enhanced GNOME, but on the other hand you have an almost generic KDE. This lack of balance is a significant fault in the distro. While Kubuntu gives KDE aficionados a reason to use Ubuntu, Kubuntu would benefit greatly from additional attempts to make it look more unique and bring it up to the same standard that GNOME in the regular Ubuntu distro has been elevated to.

Intended Audience and Ease of Use

As previously stated, Ubuntu Linux has been specifically designed for beginners and advanced Linux users alike. Ubuntu has always been easy to install, thanks to the “Ubiquity” installation tool. Ubuntu is available in several base configurations and derivatives. The main configuration of Ubuntu is a full-featured desktop-oriented operating system built around the GNOME desktop environment, (GNOME is easily the most effective interface on Ubuntu) but several official derivatives exist.

Some of these fill specific purposes (Edubuntu as an educational tool, eeeBuntu for netbooks, MythBuntu as an Ubuntu-based solution for MythTV, etc.) or offer alternatives to the GNOME interface (Kubuntu is built on KDE 4.2, FluxBuntu is built on Fluxbox, Xubuntu is built on XFCE, etc. ) In addition to the main desktop offering, Ubuntu also comes in a server edition. In this way, Ubuntu is a multi-niche operating system, unlike other distros which offer only one official configuration.

System Administration

Unlike many other distros, Ubuntu and its variants do not have any type of centralized system administration tool. Virtually all system administration is done through the standard tools found in GNOME or KDE. These tools are virtually the same on any distro; the only real difference with Ubuntu is that several new non-standard modules have been “bolted on” to the GNOME system administration menus. When using a more lightweight window manager, the system can be quite difficult to manage if the various pieces of the administration tools are not all referenced properly. Centralized administration would help to solve that problem if it were ever implemented.

Software and Package Management

Ubuntu offers a very comprehensive library of software for a wide variety of purposes. Although Canonical provides support for a reasonable assortment of software, there is much more software available that is not officially supported. All software packages are divided amongst several different repositories. Most of the software available for Ubuntu can be found in the “Universe” repository, which is structured much like the main Debian repository. Ubuntu's packaging system is also able to interface with unofficial repositories but it is generally a bad idea to use a repository that is not fully trusted and cryptographically verified.

Software management is built around the amazingly powerful Aptitude package manager. (in addition to apt-get) This tool can work with various frontends to make software management easier for people who may not be fully comfortable with the command line.

Support Availability

The level of support and assistance for Ubuntu is excellent. Canonical provides official support for a fee, but there is no need for the average user to resort to that. (paid support is primarily for enterprise-level deployments) Due to Ubuntu's popularity, the web is replete with various articles, how-to guides, and general support information for virtually any Ubuntu problem. There is even a troubleshooting forum dedicated exclusively to Ubuntu: http://ubuntuforums.org

Security

While Ubuntu has numerous strengths, we also noticed a flaw that could cause problems. In Ubuntu's default configuration, the root account is disabled by default and users are encouraged to use “sudo” (a temporary privilege escalation tool) to execute commands that would normally require root permissions. While there is nothing bad about sudo, Ubuntu's implementation is rather strange. Many other distros require that the root password be used for sudo (that way, you keep the benefit of a separate root account without having to switch to it) but Ubuntu has sudo configured to use the default user's own password for administration purposes. We noticed that this can be a major security risk, since an attacker would only have to compromise one password instead of two to gain full root access to the system. It is preferable to keep a wide degree of separation between regular and administrator accounts, especially in a corporate environment.

Bottom Line

Ubuntu is an excellent distro and definitely deserves its good reputation, but it does have room for improvement. If the sudo issue could be addressed and equal effort could be put into all variants, Ubuntu would be very hard to beat.

Appearance: 4 --- (Excellent GNOME, KDE lags behind)

Ease of Use: 5 --- (Ubuntu is ideal for just about anyone)

System Administration: 3 --- (It works, but could be much better)

Software & Package Management: 5 --- (Any program you need is available in the massive repositories)

Security: 2 --- (The system is moderately secure, but it really should be better)

Support Availability: 5 --- (someone is out there to help you if you need it)

Total: 24/30

Next, let's look at some specialty distros!

Specialty Distros

In addition to the five distros we have reviewed in-depth, here are some other distros that fill a specific niche or purpose.

Puppy Linux

Puppy Linux is one of the small, ultra-lightweight desktop distros. Weighing in at only 100 MB, Puppy Linux is unique from other Live CD distros in that it can cache itself entirely in RAM, thereby allowing you to have free use of all your optical drives. (other distros like Knoppix keep the CD drive it is using locked until system reboot) Puppy Linux uses only 128 MB of RAM, so it is ideal for old equipment or for those who want to wring every last bit of performance out of their hardware. Since it runs completely in RAM without having to periodically pull data from optical media, PuppyLinux is extremely fast and responsive.

For an extreme lightweight, Puppy Linux packs in about as much software as the average Linux distro. Many of these programs are very light alternatives to things like OpenOffice.org and Gimp, but they are very useful. Puppy includes Abiword and GNUmeric for the office suite, and tools like InkscapeLight and MTPaint for graphics tools. Puppy Linux is very attractive, despite the simple JWM interface it uses.

Backtrack

Backtrack is a specialty Live CD distribution dedicated to the art of computer security. Backtrack includes various tools for penetration testing, brute-force attacks, spoofing, and other security-related subjects. To get much use out of Backtrack, you must be familiar with the various tools of the trade that the distro includes and know how to use them. Backtrack uses a KDE interface and is built on a Debian-derived architecture.

Arch Linux

Arch Linux is a distro that is designed to be fast, lightweight, and simple from a developer's point of view. Arch is similar to Gentoo, but is binary-based rather than source-based. Arch is for advanced Linux users who know what they are doing and have a firm grasp on the command line. There is no graphical frontend for package management; the Pacman package management tool is handled exclusively through the command line.

Arch is quite powerful, but it is not very beginner friendly. Although it has LiveCD functionality, it is largely text-based and there is no GUI at all out of the box. Arch's installation tool is a throwback to the multi-step menu-based installers of years past, where you must manually invoke each part of the installation procedure from a list with no clearly defined order. You must also set up your bootloader manually. This is understandably daunting to anyone other than a Linux expert.
We really advise new users with little to no prior Linux experience to choose a distro other than Arch, since Arch may be very intimidating to users who have never had to deal with something like it before.

Analysis

As you may have noticed, most Linux distros are built using the same components and include the same software. (most have Gimp, OpenOffice.org, etc.) Under most conditions, it is possible to make any software package (like a desktop environment) work on practically any distro. However, not all distros make use of these tools equally or implement them as well as any other.

Some distros are best experienced with GNOME (Ubuntu and Fedora, for instance) while others are best used with KDE. (openSUSE and Mandriva) Because of this, one of the things you must consider when choosing a distro is the desktop environment you plan to use. If you are a Linux user, you probably have a preference in regard to your desktop environment. If your preferred environment is not available, your productivity may suffer as a result. In the same way, you should consider which type of package management works best for you. Many people become overly dependent on one type of package management and are hesitant to fully commit to a different distro “family” that uses a different kind.

Next, you must address your current level of skill. If you are new to Linux, you are going to be very frustrated with something like Arch. Likewise, more advanced users may be hindered by an easy-to-use distro because the user-friendliness in a distro like Mandriva may get in the way or come across as patronizing. A fairly competent user would be best served with a distro like openSUSE, Ubuntu, or Fedora.

You must also address security. The way the distro landscape is set up, there is sometimes a trade-off between security and user-friendliness. For instance, Ubuntu is easier to use than Fedora, but Fedora provides much better security out of the box. However, Ubuntu's security can be enhanced by installing SELinux, better managing sudo on regular user accounts, and re-enabling the root password. In this way, the differences between the two can be equalized.

In the end, choosing a distro is about compromise. You must prioritize and decide which factors are the most important to you and which distros will offer it to you while forcing you to compromise the least. Despite its downsides, the Linux distro situation is better than Windows since Windows requires you to adapt to its way of doing things. Linux offers you more choices and allows your computing environment to better fit your needs.

The Beginner's Guide to Linux, Part 2: Installation

Will Kraft — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:30:00 -0600

Part 1: Finding the Right Distro

Part 2: Partition and Installation

Part 3: The Linux GUI

Part 4: Introduction to the Terminal

In part one of our guide, we walked you through the process of finding a distro that is right for you. By now, you hopefully have become more familiar with the distros that are out there and have at least one that you would like to try. This chapter is going to walk you through downloading and burning a CD image of your chosen distro(s), the traditional way of partitioning and setting up a dual-boot system, and another way to dual-boot without repartitioning. Instead of providing a step-by-step tutorial for a specific installation process, our goal is to educate you on the underlying concepts in a more generalized way that you will be able to apply towards many different Linux distros. You should also read our previous guide to installing Ubuntu for further instructions.

Acquisition and preparation

Before you can install and play around with Linux, you have to acquire it first. While some computers come pre-equipped with Linux through the OEM, (certain Dell models and various netbooks, for instance) most of you will have to download it from the internet. The most considerate way to do this is through Bittorrent, since peer-to-peer eliminates the bandwidth strain on servers that conventional downloads create. All you have to do is find a torrent file of the distro you want and start the download. (assuming the torrent is still being seeded) We advise you to follow proper etiquette and seed as much as you download (at least a 1:1 ratio) so other people can benefit from the torrent like you did.

For some of you, Bittorrent is not a good option. Several internet service providers throttle (artificially limit the speed of) all torrent download speeds because they have oversold their lines and there is not enough bandwidth to allow everyone to torrent at full speed. Bittorrent is a huge drain on providers, and they often use piracy as an excuse for throttling.

Fortunately, you can still fall back on old-fashioned FTP. Very few providers limit FTP download speeds, so your download will go as fast as the server on the other side or your own connection will permit. Most Linux distros are mirrored on several servers, so there is a good chance that at least one of them will be fast at any given time. However, if you try to acquire a new version of a distro on the same day it came out, Bittorrent may be a far better option (even if you are being throttled) since all FTP servers are likely to be very slow or even non-responsive as a result. (many people are trying to download at once and the server can only handle a finite load) Bittorrent is not prone to that type of slowdown problem due to its decentralized nature, and your download will actually go faster as more people start seeding.

If you're still stuck on dial-up, downloading Linux may take up to several days. Rather than having to tie up your phone line for that long, you have the option of ordering pre-made Linux installation media from several different suppliers. (distrowatch.com has links to these providers) Most of the media acquired in this way comes on professionally pressed discs and is much more durable than typical burned CD or DVD media. Many of these discs are very reasonably priced.

Some big-box electronics stores also sell boxed copies of various distros in their software section; these discs are also professionally made. Alternatively, many books on specific distros include a disc with the full operating system on it. The downside to this last method is that the included version may be slightly out of date by the time you buy the book.

If you download Linux yourself, you are going to end up with one or more ISO files. An ISO file allows you to replicate a CD or DVD without requiring an existing disc to copy from; it is essentially a container file for everything on the original disc. These days, it is common for distros to come on more than one CD, (although some distros like Ubuntu still manage to fit on only one) so make sure you download the ISO files of all the discs that are required for installation. Alternatively, many distros have a DVD version as well, (larger download size in exchange for the convenience of one disc) so choose which one you want.

If you've never burned an ISO image before, it is rather different than making a normal CD or DVD. Burning the ISO file to a blank disc like you would with any other file will not work. (it would only waste a disc) The object here is to extract the contents of the ISO file to recreate the original disc. Most CD/DVD burning utilities (even low-end ones) have an image burning utility built into them, so look for a “Burn Image” feature or something similar. If your burning software doesn't support this, you can still use isoburn to make your installation media.

Testing the distro

Once you have created or otherwise acquired your Linux install discs, you may have an opportunity to test the distro on your system prior to conducting the actual installation. Many modern distros incorporate LiveCD functionality, essentially the ability to run a temporary yet fully functional session of the operating system from the CD or DVD instead of from the hard drive. The LiveCD session will make no permanent changes to your computer. (unless you choose to install)

LiveCD functionality is useful because it gives you a change to experiment with the distro without making any real commitment and lets you determine whether or not it will be a good fit for your system. The LiveCD has most (if not all) the software that will be in the installed system available for use, so it will give you a good idea of what the distro is capable of out of the box. In part one of this series, we mentioned that some distros have better hardware support than others.

Judging by how well the LiveCD works, you will have a fairly good idea of how well your particular hardware configuration is supported. Keep in mind that certain specialized hardware like wireless devices (especially the Broadcom 43xx devices) or graphics cards/chipsets (ATI or Nvidia) may require additional drivers or firmware to work, and the LiveCD may not support them out of the box. The last part of this article will tell you how to deal with this problem should it arise. Fortunately, hardware support on Linux is currently better than it has ever been before, and most of your hardware will work fine.

In any event, you should treat the LiveCD functionality as a test run or a preview of the real thing. Also remember that some distros (like CentOS) do not have LiveCD functionality.

<< Back to Part 1: Finding the Right Distro

Partitioning

Each operating system you install requires its own partition on your hard drive. Partitioning effectively splits your hard drive into one or more distinct areas that operate independently of each other. If you build your own boxes, you have the luxury of determining your partition structure before you install any operating systems at all, and this allows you to set aside space for both Windows and Linux if you decide to dual-boot.

Most people do not have that luxury; computers with OEM copies of Windows usually have a large Windows partition and a small recovery partition taking up the entire hard drive. In such a situation, some space must be freed on the hard drive before Linux can be installed. Free space on a hard disk is not the same thing as free space in a partition's filesystem, and most hard drives are completely “full” from a partitioning viewpoint.

There are many ways to handle partitioning, but some carry more risk than others. The easiest and safest way to set up a dual-boot system is to install a second hard drive if your system can accommodate it and install Linux to that. In addition to insuring that your Windows partition and any OEM recovery tools remain untouched, this method also provides the greatest possible amount of disk space for your Linux installation.

Furthermore, it becomes easier to transfer your Linux installation to a new computer every time you upgrade. (You would only have to change the bootloader on the new machine after installing the Linux hard drive) If you choose this method, you should always use an internal hard drive. An external hard drive may be more convenient, but the USB interface present on most devices is not fast enough to provide the best performance. (external SATA would probably work fine, but we have not tested this)

Another way to accommodate Linux is to resize a partition on your existing hard drive to free up space. This is generally the most dangerous installation method since it presents the greatest chance of data loss. However, it is possible to do it safely. Windows Vista has a built-in tool to manage partitions, and this tool will allow you to shrink your Vista partition to free up some space. The amount of space the Vista tool will be able to reclaim will vary widely between systems and cannot be predicted beforehand with any certainty. However, the tool is reliable from our experience and we have yet to run into any problems from using it.

The process of shrinking a Windows XP partition is much more complicated since it has no built-in tool for the purpose like Vista does. The process requires several different tools and must be done in a specific order. Before resizing an NTFS partition on a Windows XP or older NT-based system, it should be thoroughly defragmented to ensure that all files are grouped together in the filesystem. It is critical that you resize the filesystem before you resize the partition because the sizes of these are determined separately. If you resize the partition first, you will accidentally chop off part of the filesystem and you will not be able to boot from the partition.

Fortunately, practically every Linux distro has a partition resizing tool in its installation utility that will handle this delicate procedure for you and will safely perform all the steps in the correct order. All you have to do is decide how much you want to shrink the existing Windows partition and then have the setup utility do it. Obviously, you will not be able to shrink the partition to a size that is smaller than the sum of the data it contains, including any space set aside for swapping.

Shrinking a NTFS partition in Fedora setup

Also, keep in mind that the filesystem resizing utility may refuse to work under certain conditions, such as any instances where Windows wasn't shut down properly or if the filesystem needs to be checked for errors. You must resolve any such problems before the resizing utility will let you continue; this is a deliberate design feature meant to keep you from resizing a filesystem that is not able to handle the procedure in its current state and causing further damage as a result.

The new Linux partition should always be located at the “end” of the drive. Many OEM recovery tools are hard-coded to boot from a specific partition. The recovery tool will not work if it expects to find its partition in a certain place on the hard drive but finds Linux there instead, and you will be unable to fix your Windows installation as a result. Since the recovery partition is generally the second partition on most OEM machines, (Windows is the first one) the new Linux partition should be third.

Once your partitions are resized, the newly freed space is typically allocated to the “end” of the drive anyway, so this is seldom something you will have to manually adjust. However, it pays to make sure that your partition order is set correctly so you will not suddenly find out you have a broken recovery tool in an emergency. Furthermore, if you install Linux on a separate hard drive, you do not need to worry about this particular issue at all.

For a well-rounded desktop system, you should set aside at least 10 gigabytes at the bare minimum. Although you might be able to get by with less, we really don't recommend it. Make sure you have enough space for what you need to do on your Linux partition, because it is very dangerous to mess with the partitions again if you run out of space. Remember that Linux is only able to install software to its own partition and that some of that partition must be reserved for swapping (even if you have plenty of RAM) if you want features like hibernation to work.

The installation procedure is summarized here in the Ubuntu installation wizard.

Installation

Although the installation process on Linux is fairly straightforward, there is one important thing to remember: If you want to prepare a dual-boot system, Windows must always be installed first after you prepare your partitions. Each operating system will install a bootloader, which is a program that tells the computer which operating systems are installed and gives you a list to choose from when you turn on your computer. Most modern Linux distros will install a bootloader called GRUB. The main issue here is that some bootloaders handle dual-booting better than others do.

GRUB on Fedora Linux

If you install Linux first and then install Windows, Windows will replace GRUB with its own bootloader. This bootloader can also boot into Linux systems, but it will not look for them by default like GRUB does. In such a situation, you would not be able to boot into your Linux installation, and to remedy this you would have to reconfigure the Windows bootloader to include a Linux boot option or reinstall GRUB. Neither option is very beginner-friendly, so it is far easier to do things the right way to begin with.

A dual-boot system with Ubuntu 8.10 and Windows XP, utilizing the GRUB bootloader

If Windows is already installed when you run a Linux setup utility, (as it would be if you resized a Windows partition) GRUB will automatically find Windows and create an entry for it and its related utilities (like OEM system recovery tools) in the boot menu. That way, you will be able to boot into any operating system you have on your computer. The same is also true if you are triple or even quad-booting; GRUB will attempt to add an entry for every operating system it finds on your computer, be it Windows, Mac OSX, BSD, or another Linux distro.

Windows NTFS and Linux partitions shown in a dual-boot configuration on a virtual hard disk in the Gparted utility.

Installing Linux is very simple compared to many Windows systems. The old text-based installers are mostly a thing of the past; since many distros have LiveCD functionality, they also have easy-to-use setup utilities that incorporate a GUI. These installers walk you through a step-by-step process of choosing your time zone, partitioning, setting up user accounts, configuring your bootloader, etc. Since Linux is free software, you will not have to provide any serial numbers/product keys and you will not have to worry about activation. In most instances, you will not even have to consent to a license agreement.

Other installation methods

In recent years, there have been several different ways of dual-booting Linux without resorting to the traditional method discussed in the previous sections of this guide. Although virtualization software allows you to run a fully functional installation of Linux, that is technically not dual-booting since the virtualized operating system is not running independently. However, several utilities were formed that allow you to install Linux without repartitioning your hard drive and replacing your bootloader. The most famous of these tools is called Wubi, which installs Ubuntu. Similar programs include win32-loader (installs Debian) and Instlux. (installs OpenSUSE)

The Wubi installation utility running on Windows XP

Wubi and the other tools like it work by creating a large file in your Windows partition. This file acts like a partition within a partition, and Wubi installs Ubuntu to this location. Wubi also modifies the Windows bootloader to include an option to boot to the simulated Ubuntu partition file, so there is no need to install GRUB. (the other programs act similarly) Furthermore, these special Linux installations may be easily removed like any other program through Windows and your computer will go back to how it was before. The main drawback of Wubi and similar tools is that there is no hibernation functionality and improper shutdowns can cause significant damage to the Linux filesystem.

Post-installation

After you get your new Linux system installed, there may be a few additional things you have to do to get it fully functional, depending on your hardware and your dual-boot situation.

After installation, Windows will probably detect the partition changes and will run a disk check. This is normal and you should not worry about it

As stated earlier in this article, certain types of hardware may require additional drivers or firmware (software that interacts directly with the device, which in turn works with a driver from the operating system) to function. Many of these additional packages have some proprietary aspects and are considered “restricted”. (while they may be free to acquire, they may not be fully open source) Some of these packages are from the hardware manufacturer while others have been reverse-engineered by the open source community due to a lack of manufacturer support. Because of licensing and intellectual property issues, they cannot be included in the main distribution. Quite often, your distro will detect the need for this software (Ubuntu in particular has a restricted drivers manager) and will offer to install it for you.

If you are dual-booting, you will probably want write access to your NTFS partitions. Linux can read NTFS partitions out of the box, but to write data to them you will need to install NTFS-3g from your distro's repositories. It can safely write to NTFS volumes from all versions of Windows.

Once you go through these final steps, you should have a usable Linux installation. In part three of this guide, we will cover the basics of using your new Linux system.

Next, Part 3: The Linux GUI >>

The Beginner's Guide to Linux, Part 1: Finding the Right Distribution

Will Kraft — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:30:00 -0600

Part 1: Finding the Right Distro

Part 2: Partition and Installation

Part 3: The Linux GUI

Part 4: Introduction to the Terminal

We are certain that many of you want to try Linux to see what it is like, but have no idea where to start or how to get into it. This article is the first installment in a four-part guide that will gradually introduce you to the Linux environment and how to adjust to it if you are a new user.

One of the hardest things to do while starting out is finding a distro that is right for you. Many users try several before settling on one of two that they really like. Once they find a distro that feels right, they are often reluctant to switch unless the distro becomes unsuitable for their needs for whatever reason.

In most instances, choosing a distro ultimately comes down to several factors:

Your skill level
The purpose of the system
Package management

Your skill level

Arguably, the most important factor in choosing a distro is your general level of experience with Linux. Not all distros cater to the same intended user audience. Some (like Ubuntu) are designed to be more accessible to novice users while other distros have a greater learning curve. Distros like Gentoo or Slackware are not necessarily meant to be “harder” than Ubuntu; they simply work out that way because they are less automated and often sacrifice ease of use for the greatest possible user control or system transparency. Many advanced users know what they are doing and prefer doing things their way.

Ubuntu's desktop

Distros that emphasize ease of use tend to get in the way of such people and impact their productivity. However, not every advanced user feels this way, since there are plenty who prefer to focus on actual work rather than worry about every nuance of their operating system. A user who prefers a less user-friendly distro is not necessarily a “better” or “more skilled” Linux user than someone who uses something more beginner-friendly even if they have a lot of experience. In the end, it comes down to individual preference and choice, and Linux is able to give people from both extremes (and everyone else in between) what they want.

In your situation, you should focus on where you are in your Linux experience and choose accordingly. If you have never used Linux before and choose something like Gentoo, you are probably going to be confused and frustrated very soon after starting. If you are coming from a Windows background, you will probably need an environment that is familiar to what you are used to and has a well-rounded software library that will help you gradually adapt to your new computing environment.

For such an individual, we would recommend something like Ubuntu (due to its large software library, ease of use, and large community of people who can offer assistance) or Mandriva (due to its tools that help Windows users migrate).

Mandriva's desktop

However, if you are a well-established Linux user and are feeling adventurous, you should feel free to try something more expert-oriented because it will teach you more about how your computer works behind the scenes and will make you more versatile. Alternatively, you may feel satisfied with what you have because it fits you perfectly and you wish to stay put. There is nothing wrong with that, either.

The purpose of the system

In addition to skill level, Linux distributions are also differentiated by purpose. Some (like Mandriva, OpenSUSE, and Ubuntu) are pre-configured to be desktop distributions (although some of these have a server-oriented variant) while others (like CentOS) are server deployments. A few distros (like Debian) may even be considered neutral and are suitable for either purpose depending on how the user configures them.

Debian's desktop

Desktop-oriented and server-oriented distros usually are not interchangeable without a great deal of trouble. You may be able to get away with implementing server functionality on a desktop distribution. While doing this is not difficult, it is often a waste of time and effort since other distros come with such functionality out of the box. However, there are exceptions to this rule; many programmers build hybrid systems to assist in application development. (this allows projects like web applications to run locally) However, these systems are seldom used outside of a test/development environment and should never be considered for production use.

Server distros are much less flexible, since they simply lack much of the hardware support that is common in desktop distributions. Awhile back, we had extensive trouble getting anything better than 800x600 VESA (bare-bones graphics, forget about any 3d acceleration) in CentOS 5.2 during a test run. In contrast, Ubuntu supported our monitor's native resolution (1440 x 900) out of the box on the same machine and 3d acceleration was working after we installed the NVIDIA driver.

CentOS's desktop

Graphics are typically not a big issue on servers since many system administrators run their servers headless (without a monitor) anyway, but graphics support like what we encountered with CentOS would be absolutely brutal on a desktop distribution. Finally, desktop distros include many packages that server distros just don't need (like games, office suites, media players, etc.) This just adds bloat to the system without providing any benefit. Ideally, servers should run as lean as possible, since any resources needlessly used by the operating system are not available for the server's intended functions.

Server distros usually emphasize long-term stability (a result of being loaded with older software that has been more thoroughly debugged) whereas desktop-oriented distros tend to be more cutting-edge with newer packages. (but may be more unstable as a result) These two options are often mutually exclusive, so choose which one is most important to you.

OpenSUSE's desktop

Before setting up a system, you should weigh out all the possibilities of what it will be used for. If you need a server, you should choose a distribution like CentOS, Debian, or SME Server. However, if you need a desktop, choose one of the many desktop-oriented distributions. (Ubuntu, Mandriva, Fedora, OpenSUSE, etc.) If you need a hybrid system, start with a desktop distro and install the server functionality you need. (modern package management makes this easy)

Fedora's desktop

Package management

One of the most fundamental differences between distributions is how they manage software packages. For those new to Linux, software installation is handled differently than in Windows. Instead of running a setup.exe to install new software, software installation is a fairly modular process. Programs are distributed in one or more “packages”, and each package either contains parts of a program or its dependencies. (other components that a program needs to run) Once all packages needed by a program are installed, the program will be able to be used.

Package management with Ubuntu (apt-get)

In the old days, package management was either nonexistent or a very tedious process where each user had to locate packages all by himself or herself from a variety of different sources. (Some distros still do things that way, however) Packages were (and still are) very version-specific, so users often had to hunt down a specific version of package from an obscure corner of the internet to get a program to work. Fortunately, several automated package management tools were created to help solve this problem, and the tools now do the hard parts for you.

Package management with Mandriva (urpmi)

Many users swear by a particular package management tool. Each one has its own distinct advantages, disadvantages, and quirks, but they all operate in much the same way. Package managers automatically locate all packages needed by a program, download them from one or more central repositories, resolve all dependencies for you, and then install/configure the program.

You must become familiar with the package management tool included in the distro(s) you are interested in using. To facilitate this, we have provided you with a brief list to cover the most common package management tools and some of the distros that use them. Although this list is not fully comprehensive, it will help you get started. We cannot tell you that one package manager is better than another, since such things are largely a matter of opinion.

Package Management Tools

Tool Name	Used by
Advanced Packaging Tool (apt-get)	Debian, Ubuntu (and its variants), gOS, Linux Mint, Sidux, Knoppix
YUM	Fedora, CentOS/Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Yast	OpenSUSE
Portage	Gentoo
urpmi	Mandriva

Each distro has a large repository for the package management system to use. Some repositories may be more complete than others. Remember that that while many distros use the same package management tool, packages should not be shared between distributions. (don't mix Ubuntu and Debian packages, for instance)

Package management with OpenSUSE (Yast)

It may be tempting to install a package from another distribution when you need a package that is not in your distro's official repositories, but such shortcuts often lead to problems. However, if your distro is popular, someone else may have set up an additional repository that has exactly what you need.

The bottom line

The key to finding the right distro is experimentation. Each distro has a slightly different feel, and it may take several attempts to find one you really like. Virtualization software makes it easy to test several different distros at once with minimal risk. The next installment of this series will walk you through the installation process and will also tell you how to prepare a dual-boot system.

Next, Part 2: Partition and Installation >>

The Little Vendor That Could - The Latest In the Mandriva vs Microsoft Saga

Mark Soper — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:34:31 -0600

Earlier this ~~Last~~ week, we told you about how a 17,000-seat deal for Mandriva Linux in Nigerian classrooms had been scuttled by Microsoft at the last moment. Well, the saga continues: according to the IDG News Service, the deal is still on.

USPF Pays for 11K Systems, Says Linux Stays

Although the contract calls for 17,000 computers and operating systems, the money isn't coming from a single pocket. The Nigerian Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) is paying for the majority of the systems (11,000), and a spokesman for USPF said "We are sticking with that platform," meaning Mandriva Linux.

TSC vs USPF Tug of War with a $400K Rope

Microsoft isn't going to give up on Nigeria. Microsoft's Nigerian product manager says that the folks from Redmond are negotiating a $400,000 deal with the Nigerian Technology Support Center for marketing activities once the Classmate PCs are switched to Windows XP Pro. TSC is in charge of the classroom computer deployment, and it's also the company that had tried to scuttle the Mandriva deal.

100K>17K, Everywhere

Why would Microsoft offer $400,000 in "marketing funds" on a 17,000 seat contract? The math, at first glance, makes no sense. However, dig a little deeper, and you discover that the stakes are much higher. After the first 17,000 systems are deployed, another 100,000 are part of phase two.

How Much for that OS in the PC?

Mandriva, on the other hand, is not making a ton of money on this deal, assuming it goes through. According to Dele Ajisomo, who owns Microbyte International, the West Africa representative for Mandriva, Nigeria will pay around $10/seat for each Mandriva license, including support.

Why Microsoft vs Mandriva Is Important, No Matter Your Preferred OS

If Mandriva finally wins out in Nigeria, it will be a major victory for Linux. So, why should Windows users care about a measily 17,000 seat contract, and whether the competitors are playing fair? As anyone who's been reading this blog (and comments) over the last few months knows, lots of Microsoft users (including me) want Windows to stop acting as if it owns users' desktops, want higher-quality software, and, in general, want the folks in Redmond to realize they work for us, the users, and not vice-versa.

The only way that will happen is if Microsoft has genuine competition on the desktop. Whether you call it MacOS X Leopard, Mandriva, Ubuntu, Fedora, or some operating system or distro that's yet to be born, doesn't matter. What does matter, whether you prefer penguins or Start buttons, GUIs or command lines, is that there's more than one choice. Choice leads to innovation - and that's good for everyone.