quote:The company, maker of Mandrake Linux, posted an appeal to users on its Web site Monday,citing its financial troubles and the chance that its latest Linux distribution would notship. The appeal asked users to contribute to a Mandrake Linux Users Club and CorporateClub, in which members receive special privileges such as discounts on products and directdownload access to Mandrake servers.Gael Duval, founder of MandrakeSoft, says that the company's research and development andservices costs are a drain on company revenue. Without the 'clubs' it is likely that the company will have to lay off employees, Duval says.
quote:Flash: MandrakeSoft status-----------------------------------------------------On January 27th, 2003, confirmation was received from the FrenchCommercial Court that MandrakeSoft had been granted a six monthobservation and protection period to establish a continuation plan.Thisprotection period provides the ability to renegotiate the Company'scurrent liabilities. A court-appointed administrator has been named toassist MandrakeSoft during this process.MandrakeSoft welcomes this latest news as a positive step to achievingsolid financial restructuring which will make the company profitable.We would like to take this opportunity to thank all Mandrakesupporters who purchased Club memberships and Club renewals or boxedproducts as a response to the December membership drive. Yourparticipation allowed MandrakeSoft to enter the current proceedingsoptimisticly and in a position of strength. The level of Club subscriptions will also greatly influence the speed of the company returning to a normal situation.Club members get full advantage of membership benefits & privilegessuch as rebates, direct download of hundreds of applications, andthe right to vote for software that will be included in the nextversion of Mandrake Linux.http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/club/
