I think that now is a really good time for Mandrake to reconsider their "end of life" policy. Here's how I see it: Redhat has effectively shut out the very folks who made their distro popular by changing their update system to a paid service and by saying that they'll only support a release for 1 year. So now no admin in his right mind would download Redhat and install it on a server or even purchase the standard box set for a server installation. In fact, really the only viable Redhat server solution today is the "Advanced Server" product. It's been a real double barrel slap in the face for many loyal Redhat users.
Mandrake right now has the opportunity to gather many of those disillusioned Redhat users in one fell swoop by announcing that they will provide security updates for the upcoming 9.1 release for 3 years. Mandrake uses a superior system for distributing updates (one that doesn't overload their own servers), so that, coupled with Mandrake's excellent utilities, puts the equation already in Mandrake's favor as opposed to Suse and other distros. Now all that is needed is a clearly longer and reasonable support term and Mandrake will be THE choice for small time admins wanting to leave Redhat. This should be done before a group forms to build free updates for Redhat products after EOL, which will happen I think in about a year when dead versions start piling up.
I realize that supporting an old distro costs a lot of money and Mandrake is currently broke. I also realize that Mandrake has already stated their own EOL policy. However, I believe that if Mandrake can see this opportunity and capitalize on it, their user base will expand greatly. Otherwise, many admins will simply bite the bullet and learn how to live with Debian. I like Mandrake's commitment to open-source, and I think they have the best distro out there overall. But for now, I have to choose Debian. I hope Mandrake can give me a reason to do otherwise.
Oh and one more thing. For God's sake please don't release iso's this time until AFTER the retail product is on shelves.
WHen I first heard Mandrake had problems I upped my club membership to silver. At present I cannot afford to go further but I do think that many should do the best they can to support them even without a change in their present policy. Three days ago I was asked if I could set up a Linux server, to replace and NT server, for a small local company. I intend to use Mandrake and have decided that I can make a one off donation to Mandrake from what I am paid.
Although I downloaded 9.0 isos myself I intend to by a boxed set for this job so Mandrake will get more revenue and the company will still be getting a bargain.
It will be the first Linux installation in business in my area as far as I can tell so, if the above ideas are carried out I will feel much better about taking on more work. This will be my first job of this kind, having only set up a Linux/Squid Proxy server for a school before so if you see me asking for help here please do your best.
-- Best wishes, Norm
Linux for all ( except bsod's )
registered Linux user 277766
Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com
