Summary
Although Mandriva may not be as widely known as other Linux distributions, it is arguably one of
the most accessible versions for novice desktop users. It is especially useful to those who want their
Linux installations to exist alongside Windows installations that may not have free partitions for a
dedicated Linux installation.
This chapter explores some of the defining features of Mandriva, including the installer, which
incorporates the capability to resize existing Windows partitions nondestructively; an RPM package
management (RPMDrake); and system configuration tools.
In addition to enabling you to wedge a Linux installation onto a 100 percent Windows partition, the
Mandriva installer reliably detects your hardware and provides you with the option of simplified or
very granular package selection. The RPM package management enables you to install, uninstall,
and update software from a consistent and user-friendly graphical interface.
If you need to add or troubleshoot hardware, Mandriva provides graphical configuration tools
(HardDrake) to make the task easier after the initial installation, and DrakX for detection during
the installation. If you join the Mandriva Club, there??™s a wealth of support and application downloads
available.
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