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Mandrake Linux and Mandriva provide so-called URPMI tools, a set of wrapper programs that make installing new software easier for the user. These tools combine with RPMDrake and MandrakeUpdate to provide everything needed for smooth install and uninstall of software packages. MandrakeOnline offers an extended range of services and can automatically notify administrators when updates are available for your particular Mandrake system. See man urpmi, among others, for more info.
Also the KDE and Gnome desktop suites have their own (graphical) versions of package managers.
7.5.4. Upgrading your kernel
Most Linux installations are fine if you periodically upgrade your distribution. The upgrade procedure will install a new kernel when needed and make all necessary changes to your system. You should only compile or install a new kernel manually if you need kernel features that are not supported by the default kernel included in your Linux distribution.
Whether compiling your own optimized kernel or using a pre-compiled kernel package, install it in co-existence with the old kernel until you are sure that everything works according to plan.
Then create a dual boot system that will allow you to choose which kernel to boot by updating your boot loader configuration file grub.conf. This is a simple example:
# grub.conf generated by anaconda
#
# Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making config changes.
# NOTICE: You have a /boot partition. This means that
# all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /boot/, e.g.
# root (hd0,0)
# kernel /vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/hde8
# initrd /initrd-version.img
#boot=/dev/hde default=0 timeout=10
splashimage=(hd0,0)/grub/splash.xpm.gz title Red Hat Linux new (2.4.9-31)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.9-31 ro root=/dev/hde8 initrd /initrd-2.4.9-31.img
title old-kernel
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.9-21 ro root=/dev/hde8 initrd /initrd-2.4.9-21.img
# grub.conf generated by anaconda
#
# Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making config changes.
# NOTICE: You have a /boot partition. This means that
# all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /boot/, e.g.
# root (hd0,0)
# kernel /vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/hde8
# initrd /initrd-version.img
#boot=/dev/hde default=0 timeout=10
splashimage=(hd0,0)/grub/splash.xpm.gz title Red Hat Linux new (2.4.9-31)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.9-31 ro root=/dev/hde8 initrd /initrd-2.4.9-31.img
title old-kernel
root (hd0,0)