Mandriva 2009 Release Candidate 1 is now available on public mirrors. The main new features of RC1 (detailed on the wiki) are:

* automatic repository configuration and mirror selection;
* ath5k replaces madwifi for Atheros wireless cards;
* new graphical theme (backgrounds, screensavers);
* based on kernel 2.6.27 (rc5 ATM);
* KDE 4.1.1;
* KDE 3.5.10 (not on ISO);
* GNOME 2.23.91 (ie 2.24.0 Beta 2);
* new design for installer (not complete yet);
* improved system-config-printer.

Actualized BETA1 this the same what RC1? ...Lex

I wish they would have put more effort into the upgrade process prior to calling it a 'release candidate'. Will people be able to upgrade to the final Mandriva 2009 without a hitch?

Despite all the warnings of KDE breakage and incompatibilities, I have successfully upgraded my 4.0 to 4.1 from the repos and so far it's working fine.

The issue is with updating from 3.x to 4.x, not 4.0 to 4.1.

We're currently doing internal tests on a 3.x -> 4.x migration script.

MDV 2009 RC1. All is easy .....Lex

Is it safe to upgrade from 2008.1 to 2009 RC1 using the repositories?

I don't know, perhaps adamw is in a better position to advise you there. I installed 2009 beta 2 from dvd on another machine and upgraded my kde4 from the repos on my main machine running 2008.1

Sorry adamw, could you clarify what you mean. Are you talking about a problem totally replacing 3.5 with 4.0 or with having the two running in tandem and then upgrading?

The problem is with porting KDE3 user settings and data (mail etc.) into KDE4. Since many KDE3 settings are not relevant to KDE4 and since some of the config and data files are structured differently, Mandriva has opted to store KDE4 settings and data in a separate directory from KDE3 (~/.kde4 as opposed to ~/.kde). (This also allows a user to run both KDE3 and KDE4 on a single system.)

Most people, however, will probably have been using KDE3 in previous releases and will install and use the default KDE4 in 2009.0. In order for these people to upgrade it is necessary to port the KDE3 settings and data to KDE4.

This requires that a process be developed to identify those settings and data which can be safely ported and write a script for doing so. I believe that is the work that is ongoing to which Adam referred.

If you are already using KDE4 on your existing installation, then there should be no problem with upgrading (nor should there be a problem if you are using KDE3 and intend to continue to use KDE3 in 2009.0).

Jim

Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification.

Can someone post pictures of the defualt theme of mandriva 2009, really excited what the la ora theme will bring us in KDE 4. (the picture above uses the KDE theme)

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Mandriva-20...1-1-92970.shtml

Dangit!!!!

My stuiped isp uses 8e6, which is blooking the softpedia link, saying its "R rated". Yet i am allowed to visit softpedia's website other then the mandriva link.

Come on are those guys at 8e6 on crack or what?I never knew mandriva had porn?

Well hopefully they unblock it, i rememeber yesterday they blocked youtube for a while and then unblocked it.