The two Linux distributions best known for Desktop-computing focus both started shipping new releases of their respective packages today. With large strides in usability being made in the last few months, these distributions promise to continue the drive toward the open source desktop.
MandrakeSoft had already released Mandrake Linux 8.2 to “early adopters” through internet downloads last month. Today's announcement, however, means that those seeking boxed sets with technical support should soon be able to purchase them at retail stores or over the internet at MandrakeSoft's site.
SuSE, for its part, has not released the system over the internet yet in hopes of pumping up sales in the retail channel. SuSE's latest release has been criticized by some for a hasty inclusion of the newly released KDE 3.0 (Mandrake 8.2 includes the well tested KDE 2.2.2 release, although KDE 3.0 is available online from MandrakeSoft).
Some of the other new features in SuSE 8.0 include Gnome 1.4.1 RC1, Linux 2.4.18, and a revamped YaST installation tool. Mandrake Linux 8.2 also includes an improved setup system, additional configuration utilities, and Linux 2.4.18.
You can find out more on Mandrake Linux 8.2 in OfB Lab's review from February, available here. Unfortunately, all attempts to receive access to a beta or final version of SuSE Linux 8.0 for this report were ignored by SuSE so no review is available for that product.-Timothy R. Butler