LONDON - 9th November 2000 - MandrakeSoft announces the retail release of Linux-Mandrake 7.2 with two new products: Linux-Mandrake Complete 7.2 and Linux-Mandrake PowerPack Deluxe 7.2

Whether you're a new user or a seasoned Linux professional, one of these products is right for you. With value-added features and support, coupled with unparalleled ease of installation and configuration, Linux enthusiasts will marvel at the latest enhancements included in Linux-Mandrake 7.2. Productivity-enhancing, automated administration tools, enhanced printer support, and an entire suite of graphical interfaces, combined with new utilities, office applications, games and updated security applications, create a complete and powerful graphical operating system.

Linux-Mandrake 7.2 makes all of its system administration tools easily available through the DrakConf application, which now includes more user-friendly utilities for creating custom menus. And, in a first for a Linux distribution, the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) is made available for more efficient single or networked printer administration. Users can also customize their desktops, choosing from several graphical interfaces. For office productivity, the new release includes both StarOffice and Koffice integrated office suites, as well as an updated Linux Library, and a multimedia tutorial to guide you through common topics.

Linux-Mandrake has established itself as a leader in the Linux arena, ranking first in U.S. retail sales with more than a 30% market share (PC Data, July 2000) and earning Linux Magazine's Editor's Choice Award for Leading Client Distribution (Linux Magazine, September, 2000).

"With the easy to use and automated administration tools provided in Linux-Mandrake 7.2, we have truly arrived at a point where we can offer an incredibly complete operating system with powerful office tools, high-performance server applications - all tuned to a high degree of security, stability and usability. This release of Linux-Mandrake will certainly convert many Windows Me, NT and 2000 users to Linux!" said Henri Poole, CEO of MandrakeSoft.

Linux-Mandrake Complete 7.2
Linux-Mandrake Complete 7.2 is the ideal starting point for the new Linux user. Specifically designed for personal or professional desktop use, this easy to install and configure version allows users to incorporate a dual boot system, allowing simultaneous launching of Windows and Linux-Mandrake. The DrakProfile and DrakSync assistants make laptop use practical and manageable. Linux-Mandrake Complete 7.2 includes four disks, featuring full versions of Sun Microsystems's StarOffice Integrated Office Suite and comes with 4 Linux reference e-books from Macmillan. Linux-Mandrake Complete 7.2 is available with an RRP of £ 29.99 (including VAT).

Linux-Mandrake PowerPack Deluxe 7.2
With "All the Linux power for your PC", the PowerPack Deluxe edition's enhanced operating system supports more advanced peripheral devices, USB cameras and scanners than any other Linux version. This is the only Linux system offering a full version of IBM's ViaVoice, the leading voice recognition software. The seven disk set also includes the full version of Sun's StarOffice Suite, over 2300 commercial and contributive open source applications and helpful e-books from Macmillan. Linux-Mandrake PowerPack Deluxe 7.2 is available with an RRP of £ 59.99 (including VAT).

Moreover, an OEM Edition dedicated to OEM manufacturers and integrators who require an easy and complete Linux desktop solution will be available via MandrakeSoft. For the first time, it will enable them to offer easily Linux-Mandrake preloaded machines.
For any further information about this offering : oem@mandrakesoft.com

--end--

About Macmillan USA
Macmillan USA is a unit of Pearson Technology Group, the world's largest provider of consumer and professional computer, information technology, engineering and reference content. As one of the industry's innovators in both print and digital formats, Macmillan's imprints include Macmillan Software, Que, Sams, Hayden Books, BradyGAMES Strategy Guides, Que Learning Systems, and Macmillan Lifestyle, publisher of the best-selling Complete Idiot's Guides line of reference books. Pearson Technology Group is an operating unit of Pearson Education, the world's leading education publisher.

For the latest news and software from Macmillan USA, please visit http://www.macmillansoftware.com

About MandrakeSoft
MandrakeSoft publishes the Linux-Mandrake operating system, based on open-source development (which provides fee access to source code published in accordance with a General Public License, or GPL). Several hundred developers throughout the world contribute to the constant improvement of the product directly over the Internet. This international developer community has given Linux-Mandrake a product that is available in over 40 languages.

Linux-Mandrake is a very complete system with a choice of several powerful, pre-configured graphic interfaces (notably the leader KDE and GNOME), as well as more than 2300 applications including Netscape Communicator, the Star Office Suite, and the Apache web server.

In a testament to its success, MandrakeSoft received the awards for "Best Product of the Year" and "Best Linux-Distributor/Server" at LinuxWorld Expo 99, as well as the PC Answers Platinum Award in April 2000. The company has signed a strategic partnership with the American publisher Macmillan USA and hold the number one spot in Linux North American sales for Macmillan USA in July & August 2000 (Source : PC Data).

"Born on the Internet", MandrakeSoft established headquarters in Pasadena (U.S.) and Paris (Europe). Please visit the web site, www.linux-mandrake.com for more information.

Macmillan Software is represented in the UK by MediaGold International Limited

TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS
All company and product names are the trademarks, registrations, or copyrights of their respective owners.

Note to the Editor:
For further information on any Macmillan Software product, please contact us