If this truly happens, then it will be a sad news. i never used Mandriva / Mandrake, however I do remember during Mandrake heyday, it was better than its closest competitor. Like Chaapala wrote "it just works."

I do not think it will be a huge loss, except for its nostalgic values. For those of us who were there during its heyday, it is sad to see such a promising star suffers such a terrible fate.