MandrakeLinux always had a reputation as an ideal distribution for beginners. Now that the renamed Mandriva has included technologies from Conectiva and Lycoris into Mandriva Linux 2006, this reputation seems more justified than ever. From its installation program to its selection of software and desktop design to its package design and security options, Mandriva is one of the easiest to use distributions available today.

At times, however, Mandriva's ease of use comes at the price of locking users into a limited relationship with the software. It threatens to lock users into their traditional roles of consumers, rather than enouraging them to understand and take control of their computing. This limitation is in stark contrast to many other features of Mandriva, which are designed to educate and inform.

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