Many years ago, Mandrake was having trouble, and the person who actually started the precursor to this forum disappeared. It was most likely due to internal issues at Mandrake. Later, Mandrake became Mandriva, and other internal issues arose. At that time, Mandriva attempted to squelch the user community by "buying" those whom they considered to be key members of that community, encouraging membership in a club. Many found answers in communities such as this one to be more responsive and understanding of questions than the club. I remember when Mandriva begged for money from the very users to which it payed little heed in order to keep operating, money that they received from those users. Today, once again, doom tolls from the iron bells. The only success over this entire time which Mandrake/Mandriva has experienced has come from the very sector which they never figured out-- the users. So, whoever looks to the users, whatever distro heeds the community, that is the one which will succeed. It has always been succeeding, regardless if anyone wished to acknowledge it or not. Mageia seems to be going in that direction. If this is the case, I support their efforts. It is not ending, just moving on.