The Register®

Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/16/mandriva_flash_2009_spring/

Mandriva's Linux-on-a-stick refreshed with Spring '09 release

I'm happy to see you, but that is an OS in my pocket

By Austin Modine

Posted in Operating Systems, 16th July 2009 19:27 GMT

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Mandriva has refreshed its Linux-on-a-stick distribution to put the pocket-sized operating system in line with its desktop Mandriva Linux 2009 Spring release.

Mandriva's 8GB USB dongle comes with a complete, bootable version of Mandriva Linux, with 6GB of the space free for saved software, documents, and system preferences.

The Mandriva Flash 2009 Spring (http://store.mandriva.com/product_info.php?products_id=407&currency=EUR&language=english) edition also adds an option of installing the environment onto a home workstation if you're not going anywhere - or maybe just have really enormous pockets.

Updates from the Flash 2008 Spring OS (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/20/mandriva_spring_flash/) include a look-and-feel derived from regular Mandriva Linux 2009 Spring release (http://wiki.mandriva.com/en/2009.1_Tour). Ezboot has also been upgraded for better booting and Codeina now allows users to manage the codecs.

The dongle's pre-installed third-party extras include Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird, Skype, and the Open Office suite. Additional software and updates are installed right on the key, like a regular Linux installation.

Mandriva Flash 2009 Spring is available now for €49.90 ($59.90, £42.90). The USB unit comes with one month of web support through Mandriva Expert, and support for English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Finnish, Dutch, Portuguese, and Swedish. ®