I'm just wondering, before I install...

I'm downloading the download version of Mandrake 9.2 and wondering what's the difference as opposed to buying a copy. If i were to buy, I was planning on getting the DiscoveryPack (yes i am a ) . Are they both just as easy to use or is Discovery just a stripped down version? I have MandrakeMove and tried it, and like it.

I'm not going to even bother with the PowerPack and its powerful console command prompt features and all that hardcore stuff. All I want is a OS that works right now.

The download version and the DiscoveryPack are the same. These 2 have the same hardcore stuff youve described as the powerpack. The power pack contains extra goodies that wont come in the download or DiscoveryPack versions. Like flash, Java realplayer, Opra browser or propriety video drives. If I install a download version on a system with some ATI or Nvidia cards I get no 3d acceleration unless I download the drives my self and configure the system myself. With the powerpack it's all installed and setup for you.

how hard is it to configure 3D cards?

I have an ATi Radeon 7500.

It's really no big deal though, if I want gaming I'll just go back to WinXP. If i fix my severe directX issues.

I gave up on Ati's and replaced all mine with Nvidia's.(Nvidia are easy to set up and their are some games that will only work with them) It can be done I just don't have the patience anymore to spend lots of time trying to configure a card when the Manufacture dosn't give a *&(^% about Linux.

You receive printed documentation with boxed/retail copies. Plus a key to access their support site. Not to mention the warm fuzzy feeling you get from helping Mandrake stay in business.

That sounds good to me. Now I'm thinking of installing it to every computer in my house, do I have to buy multiple copies or can i use one and do multiple installs? I have 3 desktops and one laptop.

How good is Mandrake on older spec computers?
I have 2 desktops that are PII 300mhz with 128mb ram, one of them has SCSI HD and CDROM and one doesn't.