Released in May, Mageia 2 is the latest stable version of the free and open source operating system, and it offers a number of compelling features.

Perhaps most interesting of all, in fact, is the plethora of desktop environments Mageia users can choose from. Not only does Mageia 2 include 4.8.2, , and 4.9 as desktop options, but it packs three others as well: LXDE, , and the lightweight 0.4.1.

Packed with Powerful Software

Mageia's look has also been updated in this second release of the software for "a smoother appearance regardless of desktop," the project team .

Among the many power-packed applications that come along with it are the new , , Digikam and Showfoto 2.6 photo-management systems, the VLC 2.0.1 media player, Amarok 2.5, Flash Player Plugin 11.2, Chromium Browser 18, and the business-oriented .