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Mac hardware gets Mandrake Linux upgrade

Version 8.2 of Mandrake Linux is a major upgrade, with support for AirPort, FireWire and other Apple hardware
Written by Matthew Broersma, Contributor

MandrakeSoft has released the second beta-test version of Mandrake Linux 8.2 for the PowerPC platform, the first update of Mandrake for Macintosh hardware since version 8.0 in August 2001. The operating system features support for both older and newer Mac chips, and several other features specific to Mac hardware.

The release on Wednesday follows on from the first beta late last month, and the final version of Mandrake 8.2 for Intel processors earlier this month. MandrakeSoft said the final PowerPC software should arrive "soon".

Besides support for older Mac chips, Mandrake 8.2 adds network install via Apple's AirPort 802.11 wireless LAN, XFree4.2 with support for Radeon graphics cards, support for FireWire connectors and other features.

MandrakeSoft said it has done some work on support for IBM's PowerPC chips but has put the project on hold due to lack of demand.

Mandrake 8.2 for Intel's x86 chips arrived earlier this month for download, and will arrive in retail outlets late next month.

Linux is open-source software, which means programmers are obliged to share their programming code, and no one company controls the operating system. Other Linux distributors include SuSE and Red Hat.


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