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I use Mandriva since version 7 and I can say is a great OS. Tired Ubuntu but is not as easy as Madriva Linux, plus the multimedia support is awesome.
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Probably was the only Linux CD that I've purchased to date.
Used it to get free access.
Had to look, it has professional support.
I have been watching the CNET Podcast and is mentioned the word Linux few times but there is nothing about Linux. Correct me if I am wrong, Apple OS X is not based on Free BSD? Anyway, as tech shows, seems lack of Linux talks. There are a lot of stuff out there that uses Linux. like Android phone (but is just called Android, seem the word Linux is blurred out on the background). On one time, Mercedes Benz if I am not mistaking, were trying to get a Linux system on their cars in the way Sync does (beside, who wants MS on your car? can see now, Antivirus for your car or, restart the engine because the windows does not works... "pun" intended 
)
It would be a nice show that could tell some about Open Source vs Close Source, kind of the what is good and what is bad on both Models.
I am an avid fan of Open Office and I have no absolute need for a Hack or Non Hack copy of MS Office (sleep well Uncle Steve )
Another things are Live Distros, how wonderful is to Boot from a DVD/CD run the system (rescue, regular use, kids playing, kiosk, etc...) and if get hosed because of some all you do is reboot and there you go, back in the way that was before.
I can continue on and on...
When it was called Mandrake (funny how Firefox even now try to spell-fix Mandriva into Mandrake), back then is was the most popular distro like Ubuntu now.
Also I have tested 2008.1 liveCD. Really nice distro now too. Also it has nice commercial version. For ppl who want to pay little price for Linux desktop and get little more than for free I really suggest Mandriva commercial version. Free version is nice too: quite comparable with Ubuntu maybe new user has to learn little more about Linux in Mandriva than in Ubuntu. Also Mandriva forums smaller not so easy to get help.
In the contrary, I do get a lot of help. Mandriva it has a Paid version and a Free version. The one that I get is the Power Pack that is about 60 Euros a year. I get the 64 bits and the 32 bits for one subscription. That one has the Commercial Proprietary Drivers among other goodies the Free one does not have. Is amazing that just works 99% right out of the box. Also has repos for its URPMI. If you Google Easy URPMI you get the repositories that you wish (much larger selection of sites and way more software than Ubuntu), is also easy to configure. I admit that took me some to figure it out, but once I got it, is the best since sliced bread.
When people uses the Mandriva Distro, they think like MS or Ubuntu. I take my time in the forum to teach how to set up URPMI and takes like 15 mins to do. Once is set up you forget it ! It gives you all the Updates and you just add and remove software at will with all the dependencies.
Like anything in this world, is not 100% perfect but I can live with 98% perfection 
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