Mandriva 2008.1 Spring is a full featured Linux distribution coming out beginning April 2008. The official page is here.
Just to summarize what works/doesn't work with Mandriva 2008.1 on the eeePC and a few post-install tips:
Can be installed on the SSD (replacing Xandros), a USB key, or an SDHC card. 4GB min required for install, can be compressed (see below).
Kernel recognizes up to 4GB RAM.
User-friendly installer, multi-language.
Correctly installs video, sound card, webcam, Ethernet and post-install correctly installs Wi-Fi. USB peripherals are all correctly recognized. Touchscreen module compiled in the kernel.
Suspend-to-RAM (Sleep) works, needs a single extra line in rc.local if Mandriva is installed on removable medium.
Overclocking works, needs eee.ko module and single extra line in rc.local + simple bash script.
KDE 3.5.9 and 4.02, Gnome 2.22, Xfce 4.4.2, IceWM, FluxBox, etc. Take your pick! All can be installed at install time or afterwards.
Complete development environment included. OpenOffice 2.4 included. Mplayer included. VLC included. Kitchen sink included. ;)
Post-install /usr compression of everything-including-the-kitchen-sink install results in < 1.8
GB install, leaving > 2GB free space for user files and upgrades on 4GB storage device. A HOWTO is in the works.
If installed from a One CD, you can remove unneeded locales to free further space (~400mb), see
HOWTOs.
Compiz-fusion available and easily installed. Metisse 3D desktop also available (imho not production ready yet).
Skype 2.x (with webcam) works with small workaround for sound (Skype hogs the sound interface while in use, so you can't have Skype and e.g. Amarok playing an
MP3 file simultaneously).
No Easy Mode interface.
Power-management is very good, comparable to what is available under Xandros. OSD and special function keys all recognized and works well.
Mature, stable distribution with simple upgrade/updates management.
Boot and shutdown are slow compared to Xandros. Boot: 1min40s; shutdown 35s. However as noted by Mandriva's community representative Adam Williamson, a Mandriva box rarely needs rebooting. Suspend-to-RAM and resume are quite fast (10~15 seconds).
Bluetooth works, instantly recognized a $5 generic USB Bluetooth key.
Responsive interface (KDE 3.5.9 tested without compositing) if correctly configured.
As secure as you'll want to make it. “Normal” security level (set during installation) provides sufficient security for normal online usage. Top-notch firewall provided (Shorewall, default configuration is excellent).
Flash can be post-installed very easily (YouTube videos play in Firefox).
PDF reader and printer provided.
Windows games can be installed through wine (check the winehq.org application database for compatibility). But don't expect stellar or even reasonable performance, the hardware is just not up to it…
