Mandriva 2010.0: Faster and More Stable
The new Mandriva 2010.0 has been ready for download since yesterday. After a month's delay, the French distributor has released the current version, code-named Adelie, for free. Some important changes were made.
Most of the changes to the Mandriva release are on the project wiki. Immediately noticeable are the visuals: it now uses Plymouth software for bootsplash. The wallpaper designs were created as the result of a competition. Mandriva 2010.0 boots markedly faster and integrates a complete Moblin environment so that it can run well on netbooks. It also includes Sugar, the desktop created for the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) program. Users surf using Firefox 3.5 and create text and calculations with OpenOffice.org 3.1.1. Mandriva is based on X.org 7.4 and the Intel graphics chips should perform better thanks to DRI2 and UXA architecture.
The desktop environments are KDE 4.3 and GNOME 2.28. Data can migrate from KDE 3 to KDE 4 and integration with the Nepomuk semantic desktop was taken a step further. Activities can be tied to virtual desktops. KDE 4.3 includes Amarok 2.2, Digikam 1.0 beta5 and Skrooge, which replaces (and can import data from) the unstable Kmymoney2. Phonon integration with PulseAudio is also now tighter.
The GNOME environment now allows webcam sessions and live streaming. Tomboy notes are also synchronizable with the Snowy web service. The Pitivi video editor was updated to 0.13.0, and Empathy replaces Pidgin as the default and supports audio-visual chats.
The Elisa multimedia center was renamed Moovida and "includes a brand new graphical user interface." Other changes include the Phoronix test suite with which users can benchmark their Linux system. Guest systems run best on the Mandriva-supported Virtual Box 3.0.8, which also supports OpenGL. The included Wine 1.1.32 Windows runtime environment has performance improvements and better DirectX 10 support. Developers also improved Bluetooth device support and the GNOME power manager now services laptops with multiple batteries.
Mandriva downloads are installable as 32-bit and 64-bit versions from DVD. A dual-arch CD contains a minimal system installable over the web, while the One edition is a LiveCD with KDE or GNOME as the desktop.
Comments
comments powered by DisqusSubscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.
Lovin' 2010.0