The first Mandriva Linux release is now available.

Mandriva Linux Limited Edition 2005 is a transitional release which provides all the best and up to date open source applications to power-users, 32-bit/64-bit trouble-free coexistence, capability to boot from a USB key and many other features, with an excellent stability.

It's available right now for Mandriva Club Members and contributors, and as a DVD through Mandriva Online Store (http://www.mandrivastore.com)

Here the full press release:

Mandriva's Limited Edition 2005 brings the ultimate to Linux enthusiasts

Moreno Valley, Ca; Paris, France - April 13th 2005 - Mandriva (pronounced "Man-dree-vah"!), the company formerly known as Mandrakesoft, today released Limited Edition 2005, a special new version of its operating system that blends the most up to date popular open source applications, including Firefox 1.0.2, with specific customisations resulting in advanced multimedia, internet and development capabilities. These features include out-of-the-box Web content RSS reading and software sound mixing (so multiple applications can play sound at once). Limited Edition 2005 is the only Linux system to allow the trouble-free coexistence of 32-bit and 64-bit applications. It also offers enhanced hardware support for removable devices, including the ability to boot from USB keys. Sold exclusively online by Mandriva, this new release is available right now as a download to Mandriva Clubmembers who benefit from privileged as well as discounted access to the company's products. Other customers can purchase the Limited Edition's DVD set on Mandriva Store.

"People have always turned to Mandriva Linux for the latest and hottest in Linux. Limited Edition 2005 is a strong embodiment of that desire, while maintaining excellent stability. Some open source enthusiasts don't want to wait 10 months to take advantage of Linux's breathtaking pace of innovation. Those enthusiasts will find great value in LE 2005," commented François Bancilhon, Mandriva CEO.

Summary of important applications:

- Linux kernel 2.6.11.6
- KDE 3.3.2 (with some backports from version 3.4, including kpdf)
- GNOME 2.8.3
- Firefox 1.0.2
- GCC 3.4.3
- The GIMP 2.2
- Cdrecord 2.01.01a21 (with DVD+R dual-layer support)
- OpenOffice.org 1.1.4
- MySQL 4.1.11


* Power user's dream *

Linux power users will welcome the advanced Web experience, enhanced hardware compatibility and expanded development options brought by Limited Edition 2005, along with significant performance gains. Firefox 1.0.2 offers the most advanced Web browsing experience, with multi-tabbed navigation, pop-up blocking, increased speed, and unmatched security. Limited Edition also offers the RSS reader Akregator. RSS is a format used to simplify the aggregation and syndication of Web content. RSS feeds contain news and updates from websites and blogs, providing personalized access to information.

Limited Edition 2005 is built to optimize and increase performance. It has been developed with x86-64 technology in mind, which allows for the use of more powerful applications. Support for dual-core technology adds to potential performance, allowing the use of advanced
new processors. Developers and power users running demanding
multimedia configurations will appreciate the additional power those features provide. Some special optimizations enhance the overall speed delivered by the system. For instance, KDE 3.3 is 10% faster, thanks to special tuning by Mandriva.

Addressing both the x86 and x86-64 architectures, Limited Edition 2005 is the only Linux system to allow the seamless installation and running of 32-bit applications on 64-bit platforms. This will allow users to benefit from all the power and performance of 64-bit technology while continuing to use vital 32-bit applications. Developers will welcome the ability to develop 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the same application on the same machine, without the need to use chroot. Finally, Limited Edition allows you to copy the contents of the DVD to the hard disk during installation, removing the need to use the DVD for subsequent software installation, and so saving even more time.

Limited Edition 2005 provides better support for removable devices such as digital cameras, CD-ROM drives and USB keys through immediate detection of devices as they are plugged in, and by allowing you to boot the installation from a USB key.

Also available is DKMS which allows kernel modules to be dynamically built for each kernel on your system in a simplified and organized fashion.

A special feature that will certainly appeal to gamers and enthusiasts is that the new release from Mandriva has support for the Xbox console, empowering users to bridge the divide between gaming and other computer activities. Additional hardware enhancements include full support for Adaptec Host RAID controllers (RAID, SCSI, SATA) and extended recognition for the most recent flat screen monitors, including widescreen resolutions.

More information is available at:
http://www.mandriva.com/products/limited-edition

* Availability *

Mandriva Club members and Mandriva's contributors have immediate access to LE 2005 through Bittorrent or HTTP download. Limited Edition 2005 is immediately available for preorder to other customers as a DVD set at the price of 65 USD (59 euros): http://www.mandrivastore.com

Mandriva Club subscriptions:
http://www.mandrivalinux.com/en/club

A free download version will be made publicly available at a later date.


About Mandriva

Mandriva, formerly known as Mandrakesoft, is the publisher of the popular Mandriva Linux operating system, one of the most full-featured and easy to use Linux systems available. The company offers its enterprise, government educational customers a complete range of GNU/Linux and Open Source software and related services. Mandriva products are available in more than 120 countries through dedicated channels and also from Mandrivastore.com, the company's online store. Number 1 in several countries, Mandriva has won many awards for quality and technical innovation. "Born on the Internet" in late 1998, has offices in the United States, France and Brazil. Mandriva 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.mandriva.com