Mandriva 64bit Review (Page 1 of 1)
Written by
John James Inkpen
Posted on: Sep 14, 2009 at 02:33pm
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Mandriva 64 Linux Powerpack is one of four editions of the Linux desktop produced by Mandriva. Others are Mandriva Flash, Linux One and Mandriva Linux Free, both of which are free to download.. It also supports KDE 4.2, and GNOME 2.26. Mandriva Linux Powerpack is the commercial edition, and costs 49 EUR.
Visit Mandriva web site here for more news and other information. Mandriva Community is a great source for information and help. Users from around the world help new users get comfortable providing help when request - you should search for help before making an official request as chances are very high that a solution is already prepared.
Mandriva Wiki is also a excellent source of information and howtoos.
This installation is for GNOME but you can choose KDE or custom install and all are on the DVD.
Mandriva Linux features the latest and greatest GNOME release, 2.26, with Nautilus 2.26.2 the GNOME file manager now in browser mode by default,. CD/DVD application is Brasero 2.26.1 NOTE: you can use Nautilus to burn an ISO file to DISC by right clicking the ISO image and choose write to disc from the drop down context menu. Firefox (3.0.13) and Epiphany 2.26.1 browsers are included.
A few Desktop edits are included.
Installation
The Powerpack installer is simple and easy to use just answer the questions that appear. Unfortunately there is no back button available which requires that you be accurate - I did manage to cancel out of a Custom screen.
DrakX is a great installation process - easy for the new Linux eye and for the Linux expert, the install program with detect other existing Operating system - such as Windows adding them to the Boot process and menu. The only trick is not to destroy existing partitions. Mandriva recommends that all hardware be connected to the PC, printers, fax, modems etc before you start the process.
The install process also allows for Multi-Language to be installed on your system if you have users that require this service.
It would be nice if there was a go Back button - even us Linux users make mistakes <wink>
Origin: France
- Architecture: i586, x86_64
- Desktop(s): AfterStep, Blackbox, Fluxbox, GNOME, IceWM, KDE, LXDE, Openbox, WMaker, Xfce
- Category: Desktop, Live CD, Netbooks, Server
Select Install to start the process, or other options provide.
Scroll through the tree and locate your country, then language. Don't forget the multi-language options if required.
You have to accepted the License Agreement or quit. The next screen is where you start the install or Upgrade Mandriva Linux. I have not tested the upgrade option. It does say that upgrades may take a long time.
Partitioning Options - This is another area that Linux has excelled in and is very easy to configure the system the way you want it.
Free space - does just that, use your free space to create a working area for the install and Operating System.
Use existing partition(s) - if your drive already has a Linux partition(s) you can choose to use them and either keep the partition(s) as they are or have them formatted destroying whatever is there.
If you have Windows install an option will appear allowing you to remove them.
Custom partitioning - create your only layout. Usually a root (/), swap, and a /home. Here you can destroy your entire system if you make a mistake. So if you want a clean install this is a good place to start.
If you have addition media to install it may be done here. According to Mandriva if you have a CD/DVD media disc you would select the CD-Rom option or if you have a repositories from Mandriva Club you would select one of the three Network options - choose a mirror from a list and it will be installed from that location.
DESKTOP SCREEN
Here you choose KDE or GNOME. Custom install allows one to select each package and application to install as per the screen below, which is only available if CUSTOM is enabled.
Linux is all about choices - very different from a Windows and even a Mab Box.
If you choose that option you should visit their site for more detailed information. Hovering your mouse over an section provides more information pertaining to that group.
The screen below is simple. Set a root password and user account. Choose a good strong passwords easy to remember but hard to guess. No known words.
TIP: johnny100 (not a good password) but if o's = 0 (zero) h=8, n=N, 1=! 0 (zero)=@and you always end a password with *.* then johnny100 isj08NNy!@@*.* a strong password - crackable in 300+ years?
Strong passwords are a good idea on multi-user systems.
The next section is where to install GRUB and unless you have some reason not too. The First sector of the drive (MBR) is the default.
Most of this speaks for itself. Bootloader should be set to the correct drive and not require any changes here.
Services should be reviewed and apply what you need, sound and graphical should be alreadt set correctly but checking is a good idea.
Check to see what level the Firewall is set at and the rest should be good-to-go. There may be some tweaking required. All when well for me.
Next the installer will check for updates and apply them if any. There always is.
Remove media and press enter and reboot.
The Mandriva Linux GNOME Desktop
The install is very easy and should not be a problem for the new Linux eye. The only problem is the lack of a go-back button and no key-ring manager (an easy fix). I know others have had problems installing Mandriva it may have been with the Free Edition as I'm not sure. I used the Free Edition and did not experience any problems - I may have luck on my side.
Mandriva is a user friendly Linux Operating System and GNOME helps it along. I'm sure that KDE Desktop does the same. The whole feel of the applications seems slick, the 3D effects on my AMD64 Desktop machine is awesome. The NVIDIA 1024MB card works flawlessly. Disc, Flash and Camera card pop to life shortly after they are inserted.
The GNOME Desktop Environment package depends on the standard set of applications that are part of the official GNOME release. It provides much of what is necessary for daily use of a personal computer, including web browsing, email, CD burning and ripping, encryption tools, audio and video playback, network and communication tools, document viewers, remote desktop utilities, and much more; but then there is Mandriva Control Center a great useful tool.
Mandriva Control Center
The MCC is a great and useful tool to configure your system or locate and fix problems. It has an attractive user interface and simple to use.
MCC allows you to install and Remove software, perform system update. It has a wealth of information on your system. Configure networks and sharing, security, enable or disable system services, start up applications, daemons and Boot options. See the Mandriva web site for more detailed information.
There is a tool that will import Windows settings, such as bookmarks, background and documents it is located in the MCC under the System tree.
Hardware Control Center
Network and Internet Control Center
System control center
Network sharing Control Center
Local Disk Control Center
Security Center
Boot Control Center
I did not have to use the command line, all installed applications worked and appeared quickly, a great Operating System for at home and office. A few great and useful Mandriva Linux sites.
www.mandrivaclub.com
www.mandrivaexpert.com
wiki.mandriva.com
www.mde.djura.org
rpmlinux.org
planetmandriva.zarb.org
www.mandrake.tips.4.free.fr
Post-Desktop Test-Security and get Updates,
Most Linux and BSD Unix Operating System are secure during a installation but some do recommend disconnecting from the Internet during installation. Internet installs do lock down security during the install period. After an install a few steps should be completed to add to the existing security of the Operating System,
- Test OS internet ability to be invisible,
- Set updates,
- Get updates,
- Enable Firewall if included or install a firewall.
Test OS internet ability to be invisible (STEALTH),
Use the default browser,
GRC (Gibson Research Center) home of Steve Gibson Shields
A security grade will be assigned - Pass or fail
----------------------------------------------------------------------
GRC Port Authority Report created on UTC: 2009-09-08 at 19:33:26
Results from scan of ports: 0-1055
0 Ports Open
0 Ports Closed
1056 Ports Stealth
---------------------
1056 Ports Tested
ALL PORTS tested were found to be: STEALTH.
True Stealth: PASSED - ALL tested ports were STEALTH,
- NO unsolicited packets were received,
- NO Ping reply (ICMP Echo) was received.
If a update Icon displays on the Taskbar click it and revived the update and apply them.
Most GNOME Linux distributions have two Panel Bars, one on top and the other at the bottom, both perform different task. You can have four panel bars or less, they can be full screen, small, medium or large, they can hide or be transparent. You can have one Panel Bar placed where you want it. You can increase or decrease it's height and width and add applications and gadgets to it.
I like one of two settings for one Panel Bar, here is one,
To create One Panel Bar and this one will be a top bar. You first have to transfer the job of the bottom bar to the top bar, currently the bottom panel has a Workspace switcher, Trash, Show Desktop Button and a very important Window list button (allows you to what applications use are using).
Add to the top panel,
- Workspace switcher,
- Trash,
- Show Desktop Button,
- Window list button
To add to the panel right click an empty space on the top panel and select add to panel, in the search type works or scroll down to the bottom - then click +Add button and it appears on the top panel, next type trash and add it, then show desktop and add it, do the same for window list button. Close.
Top Panel, right click on the Workspace Switcher (has 2 or more squares) select preferences. Switcher: For now select Show all workspaces. Workspace: increase the number to four. Workspace names: Click on the first workspace name, in the white window - tap the enter key - then the back space key type in Main smack the return key, press back space type Net press return. Do the same for the last two name them as you please (Work and Term) are good choices. Check the Show workspace names in switcher. Close. Mouse over the Workspace Switcher right click and select move, drag it over to the left as close as you can get to the two icons there and let go.
Locate the Show Desktop Button and move it as close to the Workspace Switcher. Do the same for the Trash Can. Locate the window list button right click and move as close as you can get to the Show Desktop icon, choose Show windows from current workspace and Group windows when space is limited. Right click all the Icons you just moved and select lock to panel.
Go to the user name on the top left side of the panel and right click then remove it. Nice touch. Now all the applications you open will appear between the Window List and Notification Area.
Not for the hard part get rid of the bottom panel, right click an empty space selecting delete this panel and confirm it. Now that we gain a little more screen space you may want to increase the size of the desktop panel which will increase the size of the apps. I use to do this when I first starting using GNOME and before I became familiar with the Desktop switcher names and only showing the current work space.
Increase panel size, right click an empty panel space choosing properties - Orientation: Options ate Top, Bottom, left or right. Size allows you to increase and decrease the panel size. Adjust the setting to your taste, Expand will include the width of the screen. The others speak for themselves.
Background - none using system theme. Solid Colour has some play area and you can slide the Transparent Bar back to have a the panel bar blended in with the theme. If you have a image then add it with the Background Image option.
You can change the fonts size by going to System, Preferences and Appearance. Then Click on the Fonts Tab, change one or change all. I always decrease Fonts to 8 and use Lucida Sans Typewriter and Best Shapes for a Desktop PC. Click on the Theme Tab then customize - Colours in the Windows section under text one can change the text colour and others. There is a Reset to Defaults button, a handy tool. Changes here are system widwe and it is nice to click and get it back if things do not appear correct.
The changes made here work, they are not used to speed up my system as it is fast anyway, but they do improve nautilus to some extent. These settings do block out file, thumbnail, icon text information, but if you are using nautilus right clicking a file name provides another source of information.Changes will be made to Behavior, Display, List Columns and Preview. GNOME-Commander, once the File Manager for GNOME is a fast and powerful graphicalmanager. It has a two-panel (split screen) similar to Norton, Midnight and Window Commander. Available for installation using your favorite package manger.Double click on your Home Desktop Icon, or Places Home folder, or the Computer Icon. Click Edit, mouse down to Preferences and click
Behavior- Mark, single click, always open in browser windows (tabs). Executable Text Files - Ask each time. Trash - Include a Delete command that bypasses Trash. Note: Trash icon can be removed and placed on the panel and is covered in the panel section.
Display Tab,Icon Captions - click on window boxes setting all to none. Date options are, DDMMYYTIME or YYMMDDTIME or today and time.
List Columns,Un-check all except name.
Preview Tab,Text, Preview able, Sound, Thumbnails files set to never, files size at 1MB and never count number of folders.NOTE: right clicking a file or folder displays a wealth of information pertaining to that file or folde. The Nautilus file manager (with bookmark features)is a simple tool to manage files and application on your system, is a Desktop manager, provided functions are, create, delete, rename files and folders, including contents, is a search vehicle, use to open computer locations, write to removal media, burn CD/DVD including iso files (right click *.iso and write to disk), install and remove fonts. Nautilus is a simple file manager allowing you to preform most task with your mouse - just hunt and click.
The excellent Mandriva Control Center allows you to most of the above. Below are a few more MCC screen shots to show how easy it is to manage your system to graphically.
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