# Mandriva Linux

> Linux distribution

**Wikidata**: [Q173005](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q173005)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandriva_Linux)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mandriva-linux

## Summary  
Mandriva Linux is a GNU/Linux distribution that originated in 1998 as Mandrake Linux and was later rebranded after the merger of MandrakeSoft and Conectiva. It is known for its user‑friendly desktop environment, RPM‑based package management with the **urpmi** tool, and for spawning several downstream projects such as Mageia and OpenMandriva.

## Key Facts  
- **Inception:** 23 July 1998, launched by MandrakeSoft (later Mandriva)【inception】.  
- **Developer:** Mandriva (formerly MandrakeSoft)【developer】.  
- **License:** GNU General Public License (GPL)【license】.  
- **Latest stable release:** 2011.0 “Hydrogen”, released 28 August 2011 (stable version)【version】.  
- **Package manager:** **urpmi**, built on the RPM Package Manager【update_method】【package_management_system】.  
- **Supported platform:** Intel P6 architecture (and generic x86)【platform】.  
- **Distribution format:** CD‑ROM (physical media)【distribution_format】.  
- **Derivatives:** Mageia, ROSA Linux, ALT Linux, OpenMandriva, and PCLinuxOS are based on Mandriva’s codebase【derivative_work】.  
- **Website (archived):** https://web.archive.org/web/20150524002157/http://www.mandriva.com/en/【website】.  
- **Image:** https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Mandriva_2010.png【image】.

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Mandriva Linux?  
**A:** Mandriva Linux is a user‑oriented Linux distribution that combines the Linux kernel with GNU tools, uses RPM packages, and provides the urpmi graphical package manager.  

### Q: When was Mandriva Linux first released?  
**A:** The distribution was first released on 23 July 1998 under the name Mandrake Linux.  

### Q: What was the last official version of Mandriva Linux?  
**A:** The final stable release was version **2011.0 “Hydrogen”**, made public on 28 August 2011.  

### Q: Which package management system does Mandriva use?  
**A:** Mandriva uses the RPM Package Manager together with its own front‑end tool **urpmi** for installing and updating software.  

### Q: What projects descended from Mandriva Linux?  
**A:** Mageia, ROSA Linux, ALT Linux, OpenMandriva, and PCLinuxOS are all derivative distributions that inherited Mandriva’s code and tooling.  

## Why It Matters  
Mandriva Linux played a pivotal role in making Linux accessible to non‑technical desktop users. By emphasizing graphical tools such as the urpmi package manager and providing a polished desktop experience, it lowered the barrier to entry for many newcomers to the open‑source ecosystem. Its emphasis on ease of use inspired a generation of derivative projects—most notably Mageia and OpenMandriva—that continue to serve diverse communities worldwide. Moreover, Mandriva’s RPM‑based approach contributed to the broader adoption of RPM as a standard packaging format across several major Linux families. Although official development ceased after the 2011 release, the legacy of its design philosophy and its downstream forks remain influential in today’s Linux landscape, especially in regions where user‑friendly, multilingual desktop environments are essential.

## Notable For  
- **Early user‑friendly focus:** One of the first Linux distros to target desktop users with graphical installers and configuration tools.  
- **urpmi package manager:** Introduced a convenient front‑end to RPM that simplified software installation and updates.  
- **Derivation engine:** Served as the technical foundation for several successful forks (Mageia, OpenMandriva, etc.).  
- **Multilingual support:** Provided extensive language packs, helping popularize Linux in non‑English speaking markets.  
- **Commercial backing:** Backed by Mandriva (formerly MandrakeSoft), giving it resources for professional support and enterprise editions.

## Body  

### History  
- **1998:** Mandrake Linux launched on 23 July 1998, merging Red Hat Linux with a user‑friendly installer.  
- **2005‑2009:** MandrakeSoft merged with Conectiva, rebranding the product as **Mandriva Linux**.  
- **2011:** The final stable release, **Mandriva 2011.0 “Hydrogen”**, was issued on 28 August 2011; a preceding beta (2011 rc2) appeared on 27 July 2011.  

### Technical Characteristics  
- **Kernel:** Linux kernel (standard for all Linux distributions).  
- **Architecture:** Primarily Intel P6 (x86) platforms; later versions supported broader x86 hardware.  
- **Desktop environments:** Historically shipped with KDE and GNOME, offering a polished graphical interface.  
- **File system support:** Standard Linux file systems (ext2/3/4, ReiserFS, etc.).  

### Package Management  
- **RPM base:** Uses the Red Hat Package Manager format for binary packages.  
- **urpmi:** A graphical and command‑line front‑end that resolves dependencies automatically, simplifying software updates.  

### Distribution and Formats  
- Distributed mainly on **CD‑ROM** media, enabling offline installation.  
- Later offered downloadable ISO images via the official website (now archived).  

### Derivatives and Legacy  
- **Mageia** (founded 2010) and **OpenMandriva** continue the Mandriva codebase with community‑driven development.  
- **ROSA Linux**, **ALT Linux**, and **PCLinuxOS** also trace their roots to Mandriva’s packaging and configuration tools.  

### Licensing and Community  
- Released under the **GNU General Public License**, ensuring source code availability.  
- Maintained a multilingual community, providing localized documentation and support.  

## Schema Markup  
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## References

1. [Mandriva 2011 “Hydrogen” is out!. 2011](https://blog.mandriva.com/en/2011/08/28/mandriva-2011-hydrogen-is-out/)
2. [Mandriva 2011 RC2 is out!. 2011](https://blog.mandriva.com/en/2011/07/27/mandriva-2011-rc2-is-out/)
3. [Source](https://www.indidea.org/gael/mandrake5.1-original-announce.txt)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Quora