This is a distribution designed with modern hard-ware in mind. The precompiled kernels and most ofthe applications are Pentium optimized giving betterperformance than you’ll get from Red Hat - which isdesigned to run on everything from a 386 up. The kernels (version 2.2.15 in this release) also have USB support built in. Mandrake has one of thebest graphical installers there is, ensuring thatalmost everyone will get Linux up and runningquickly. The result is a distribution that shouldplease all but those who still believe that installingLinux and locating software to run under it isn’tsupposed to be easy. Mandrake 7.1 comes in two distinct retail pack- ages (plus a GPL version available for download orfrom places like The Linux Emporium.) Linux Man-drake 7.1 Complete is the cheapest version and con-tains three CDs. There’s also the seven-disc Linux Man-drake 7.1 Deluxe. You pays your money and you takesyour choice, which isn’t as simple as you might think.