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MandrakeSoft Publishes Support Policy

Posted by michael on from the red-hat-takes-arrow-in-the-back dept.

joestar writes "MandrakeSoft has posted a statement about its product support policy on its website: 'At a time when some of the established Linux companies are turning away from their Open Source roots and progressively abandoning full-time commitment to Open Source Software, many people have asked MandrakeSoft to clarify its position regarding product-lifetimes and its Open Source development model.' As a result, this interesting reading provides 8 Golden Rules that lead Mandrake Linux development and product support lifetime. This certainly makes MandrakeSoft one of the most 'Open Source' Linux companies, and all Linux companies should maybe think about releasing such a statement."

9 of 220 comments (clear)

  1. Links please?! by IpSo_ · · Score: 3, Informative

    "2) Product lifetimes are not hidden

    A product lifetime table for all major MandrakeSoft products is publicly available on the Mandrake Linux website. For example, the Mandrake Linux 9.2 Download, Discovery, PowerPack and ProSuite editions will be supported with core updates until March 30, 2005. "

    Why they didn't provide the link to the table I have no idea, but after several minutes (way to damn long) of searching here it is:

    Product lifetimes

    They sure did a good job of hiding it in my opinion. If this is something they are actively marketing, why don't they have a huge link on the front page?

    --
    Open Source Time and Attendance, Job Costing a
  2. Read the statement entirely...! by joestar · · Score: 4, Informative

    > Why they didn't provide the link to the table I
    > have no idea, but after several minutes (way to
    > damn long) of searching here it is: (...)

    Did you read the statement?

    "Additional information is located at:

    # The home of the Mandrake Linux project.
    # The home of the "Cooker" community.
    # Mandrake Linux's Wiki for Cooker
    # MandrakeSoft products
    # Official MandrakeSoft product lifetime table
    http://www.mandrakesecure.net/en/productlifetime.p hp"

  3. Join the Club by CptnKirk · · Score: 5, Informative
    Although they didn't plug it in this press release. If you like what you see here, and like the product, you might be interested in the Mandrake Club. The Mandrake Club offers the ability to "donate" money to the Mandrake development effort.

    The club has three pricing levels, each with slightly different benefits. What I get from the club is their community RPMs, and discussion boards. Silver members get DL access to their PowerPack ISOs for free as well. Club members get to help shape what goes into future releases, and have early access to Mandrake RPMs of new releases. Mozilla, NVIDIA Drivers, etc. Don't see an RPM you want, vote for it, and someone will probably generate it.

    Anyway, if you think that MandrakeSoft is doing right by the Linux community, this may be a nice way of sending them some cash, while getting a little more use from the distro you're probably already using.

  4. Re:Golden rule number 9? by joestar · · Score: 2, Informative

    Well, in my opinion both Mandrake 9.1 & Mandrake 9.2 were really better in term of quality. I compared them to the latest Red Hat, on five (different) machines, and I got two install failure with RH (the installation just... crashed), and on 2 other machines I got random X freezes... These things never happened to me with Mandrake...

  5. Re:"8 Golden Rules?" by critter_hunter · · Score: 4, Informative

    Their installer and any other software they provide does NOT have to be GPLd. Lindows' installer is not GPLd, among other things. Not sure about Red Hat's. Also, as copyright-holders of the installer's code, they can change the license on newer versions if they wish it. This is a written commitment that they won't exercise this right.

    --
    Karma: Could be worse (could be raining)
  6. Re:Real open source by vsprintf · · Score: 4, Informative

    What? You meant it? "They make money?"

    I realize you're having a problem with the OP's phrasing, but yes, they do make money. Besides the free download version, they offer a boxed set, a *professional* (more stuff) version, a server version, and a firewall product that all have a price tag. There are also quite a few users who support Mandrake's efforts with yearly contributions as a form of payback and in exchange for a few perks. The support for the free product is generally community support and the forums. Hope that helps you get over your hysteria.

  7. Re:#2 Product lifetimes not hidden by williamhooper · · Score: 2, Informative
    This is a major difference. Red Hat did not announce EOL for their 7.x and 8 versions until well after they were released. In other words, those installing 7.x when new really did not know when support would end. Many of us ASSuMEd that they would follow historical patterns and continue to receive updates for at least 2 years.


    Errata policy updates and product end of life Dec. 19, 2002, two months after the release of Red Hat 8 (well after? I think not).


    And, Red Hat 7.3 is being supported for 19 months. Not quite your 2 years, but close.

  8. Re:What about point #1? by fo0bar · · Score: 3, Informative
    That's the one about publishing all the upgrades and fixes. The most disturbing thing I've heard (but not confirmed) about Red Hat is that they require RHEL customers to keep the service bulletins confidential. That seems directly opposite of the free software spirit to me, and it makes me angry if it's true. Anyone know?

    I doubt it. Not only have the openly sent notifications for RHEL errata, but they also provide the SRPMs in accordance with the GPL.

  9. Re:Real open source by spirality · · Score: 2, Informative

    Actually, are they cash flow positive? I kind of thought they were not. Anyway I'm one of the people that support them through donations. Mandrake is, after all the best Linux distitution around. ;)