How do you find Mandriva 2009

Mandriva 2009 is available in three versions. If you want a download version, can choose between Mandriva Linux One, which consists of mostly free software with a few of the proprietary compromises that many GNU/Linux distributions use, such as the inclusion of Adobe Flash and Sun Java (rather than OpenJava, the free version), or Mandriva Linux Free, which contains only free software. You can also choose to purchase and download Mandriva PowerPack, which includes such extras as proprietary audio and video codecs and three months of Web support. Since Mandriva Linux One is the default choice on the download page, it is the one used for this review.

The Mandriva 2009 version of the new KDE sports the same wallpaper as GNOME, and replaces the default Kickoff menu with a Mandriva menu that is almost a simplified as the one for GNOME.

The Security pane is an especially strong example of Mandriva's tools. Beginning users can choose security settings ranging from "Poor" to "Paranoid," with brief descriptions of what each entails, while more experienced users can fine-tune these vague-sounding settings in four tabs divided into the categories of Network, System, Period Check, and Authentication.