Mandrake delays latest Linux
Published: 12 Oct 2001 11:36 BST
Linux seller MandrakeSoft has had to delay shipment of its newest version of Linux because of problems in moving manufacturing to the United States.
Mandrake Linux 8.1 is available as a download, but the first CDs of the product were supposed to ship "by the end of September", the company said. In an e-mail message to those who have ordered the CDs, the company said it ran into unexpected delays after deciding to move production to the United States.
"Getting 8.1 production up and running in North America has been a slow and expensive process," the message stated.
MandrakeSoft is based in France, but most of its business is in North America, chief executive Jacque le Marois said in an e-mail interview. Half of sales are in the United States and 4 percent are in Canada, while France accounts for 5 percent of sales.
MandrakeSoft moved North American production to the United States because tariff laws for imported products effectively increased the manufacturing cost by a factor of two or three, said Jean Mar, business operations manager.
"Importation tariffs, we have discovered, are extremely high," he said.
Version 8.1 updates several software packages and uses the latest version of the Linux kernel. In addition, the package introduces MandrakeOnline, a subscription service that allows features such as automatic notification of software updates.
MandrakeSoft competes with Linux leader Red Hat as well as Caldera International, SuSE, Turbolinux and others. Linux, a clone of Unix that also competes with Windows, is established for use on networked server computers, but MandrakeSoft is trying make inroads on the desktop as well.
See the Linux Lounge for the latest GNU/Linux and open source headlines.
Have your say instantly, and see what others have said. Click on the TalkBack button and go to the Linux lounge forum
Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom. And read other letters.
Did you find this article useful?
18 out of 72 people found this useful
- Share this article:
