Thanks for the prompt reply. I've been to the place you suggest for the repos, but (a) have no idea what repo means and (b) even less idea which ones to pick as I cannot overstate my ignorance. I live in Dublin Ireland btw...
The version is the 2010 and it looks great and runs nicely. I got a free one as I'm just seeing how it goes, but I think I'm gonna stick. I'm dual booting with Windows7 from where this mail is being sent.
Propriety code? What would that do and where would I get it?
I was trying to install Utorrent but the default torrent app seems fine. I couldnt help but think that its a bit rich criticising Microsoft given the difficulty of adding software from outside the tent - but that moment passed!
IMVU was next. Its a chat app that I like and as I don't do games it would be interesting to see how it runs on Mandriva.
Right, now I'm off to translate Finnegans Wake into Japanese for a little light relief

)) ...thanks again for your help.
*I've just revisited the download page and see that this version is for 'advanced' users. I installed it having failed with Ubuntu and Ultimate Edition.