The powerful dpkg-reconfigure command can be used to reconfigure an entire installation. We show how to use it wisely.

The Smart Package Manager makes everyday tasks of handling RPM and DEB packages simple but has a full set of controls for experts.

This month we bring you two great desktop distributions: Mageia 3, from the all-volunteer community that forked the commercial Mandriva Linux distribution, and Linux Mint Debian, a semi-rolling distribution based on Debian Testing.

Klaus Knopper is the creator of Knoppix and co-founder of LinuxTag expo. He works as a teacher, programmer, and consultant. If you have a configuration problem, or if you just want to learn more about how Linux works, send your questions to: klaus@linux-magazine.com.

The GNU project hasn't given up on the venerable Hurd project, and this long-running GNU Free OS project has recently received a burst of new energy with the release of a new Debian port.

"maddog" and Linaro are collaborating on a contest to improve the performance of certain GNU/Linux source code modules.

The DVD attached to this issue brings you two great new distros: Knoppix 7.2 and Fedora 19.

• Considered by some to be the “Best Live Distro on Earth,” Knoppix is the ultimate sys admin tool – a full-featured system packed with troubleshooting apps that boots and runs from the DVD drive.
• The Red Hat-sponsored Fedora is a free Linux with many of the same tools and packages found in Red Hat's enterprise editions.

The DVD attached to this issue brings you a pair of the world’s most popular Linux distributions. Mint 15 “Olivia” is the latest release from the ever-friendly Linux Mint, a desktop distro based on Debian and Ubuntu that keeps the emphasis on simplicity and ease of use. Mint tops the DistroWatch downloads list and describes itself as: “The 4th most popular home operating system after Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS, and Canonical’s Ubuntu.”