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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."

4 of 220 comments (clear)

  1. 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"

  2. 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.

  3. 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)
  4. 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.