[FULL] Mandriva Linux Powerpack 2011 I586 PORTABLE

Mandriva Linux 2011 Powerpack: A Comprehensive Review

Mandriva Linux 2011 Powerpack is the premium edition of Mandriva Linux, a distribution that was once one of the most popular and user-friendly in the Linux world. In this article, we will take a look at what this edition has to offer and how it compares to other Mandriva editions and other distributions.

Mandriva Linux 2011 Powerpack is available as a DVD image for both 32-bit (i586) and 64-bit (x86_64) architectures. It can be downloaded from the Internet Archive[^1^], as Mandriva S.A., the company behind the distribution, ceased operations in 2015. The Powerpack edition includes not only the standard KDE desktop environment, but also GNOME, XFCE and LXDE, as well as a large selection of software for various purposes. Some of the software included in the Powerpack edition are proprietary or non-free, such as Adobe Flash Player, Skype, Google Earth, Nero Linux and Cedega.

The installation process of Mandriva Linux 2011 Powerpack is straightforward and easy to follow. The installer allows you to choose your language, keyboard layout, timezone, partitioning scheme, desktop environment and software packages. You can also create a user account and set a root password. The installation takes about 20 minutes on a modern system.

After rebooting, you are greeted by a graphical login screen that lets you choose your preferred desktop environment. The default is KDE 4.6.5, which is heavily customized by Mandriva with its own theme, icons, widgets and applications. The desktop is divided into four zones: the RocketBar at the bottom, which contains the main menu, task manager and system tray; the StackFolder at the top right, which provides quick access to your documents and folders; the TimeFrame at the top left, which shows your recent activities and files; and the Desktop Grid at the center, which displays your desktop icons and widgets.

The KDE desktop of Mandriva Linux 2011 Powerpack is very attractive and functional, but it may also be overwhelming for some users who prefer a simpler and more traditional layout. Fortunately, you can easily switch to other desktop environments from the login screen or from the main menu. GNOME 2.32 is also customized by Mandriva with its own theme and icons, but it retains the classic two-panel layout with a main menu at the top left and a system tray at the bottom right. XFCE 4.8 and LXDE are more lightweight and minimalist alternatives that offer faster performance and lower resource consumption.

Mandriva Linux 2011 Powerpack comes with a wide range of software for various tasks and needs. Some of the notable applications included are:

Firefox 5.0.1 as the default web browser

Thunderbird 5.0 as the default email client

LibreOffice 3.4.2 as the default office suite

GIMP 2.6.11 as the default image editor

VLC 1.1.11 as the default media player

Amarok 2.4.3 as the default music player

K3b 2.0.2 as the default CD/DVD burning tool

Digikam 2.0.0 as the default photo manager

Rosegarden 11.02 as a digital audio workstation

Cinelerra-CV 2.1 as a video editor

Wine 1.3.24 as a compatibility layer for running Windows applications

Cedega 7.3.3 as a gaming platform for running Windows games

VirtualBox 4.0.12 as a virtualization tool for running other operating systems

Skype 2.2 beta as a voice-over-IP application

Google Earth 6.0 as a geographic exploration tool

Nero Linux 4 as a proprietary CD/DVD burning tool

Mandriva Linux 2011 Powerpack also includes several tools for managing your system and software, such as:

Mandriva Control Center as a central hub for configuring various aspects of your system aa16f39245