DesktopLinux reviews SUSE 10.1 RC1. "This is one really, really cool and solid distribution. OK, before I go any further I should point out that SUSE 10.1 isn't actually released yet. I've been kicking the tires of the first SUSE 10.1 'Release Candidate'."
Post a Comment
Member since:
2005-12-23
!!!
Short but accurate article of the present state of SuSe IMHO...
SuSe has always been one of my favorites Distros, since I discover it, in version 6, I think.
Since SuSe 9, I found that it was really getting good, stable and very easy and nice. Only that I found it a little slow.
It seems that now is getting quicker and SuSe 10.1 is going to 'Rock' really...
"SuSe" and "Ubuntu" will be the next "Turning poing" in Linux and Free-OpenSource Software, even more than 'Madrake' was at it's time...
With next releases, or next one, including an even more solid and quicker 'XGL-Compiz', new apt-get, and probably the new Gnome, and new versions of 'key' applications (Office, Server, Network..), and getting more solid and complete, "SuSe" is likely to let "Vista" knock Out... So will Ubuntu, and probably others...
If only Linux could solve some problems with propietary Video & Net drivers... Although by then, in one or two releases I guest the new propietay drivers and even the "free" drivers will be much better than now.
By the way.. I am wearing a nice Black SuSe T-Shirt, with the green Chameleon, that I got in the OpenSuSe stand a couple of months ago during the "FOSDEM 2006" in Brussels...
Thanks SuSe.
!!!
Member since:
2005-07-06
Member since:2005-12-02
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2005-07-13
Yesterday I upgraded with smart every single package (more than 1GB download).
Today there was again a 188 MB upgrade.
This suggests me that the announced RC2 (see Distrowatch) might never be released, but remain just an internal upgrade.
The alphas/betas/RC's are simply snapshots of the factory repo at a particular point in time, which is where all of the development packages are kept. Given that they're updated constantly, it's not surprising to have updates daily. Other major distros operate in a similar manner.
By that same token, if you're on RC1, there won't be a need to download RC2, just update from factory and there you are.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:
2006-04-20
I'm friends with the developer of banshee and he told me to watch the "desktop demo: video here:
http://www.novell.com/products/desktop/preview.html
its pretty neat to see how they have everything coming together. I'm looking forward to seeing how open suse turns out for 10.2 or 11 after all of what we see in that video gets completely rolled into open suse.
I personally don't think i would use the computer button as much, but its a nice interface
Member since:2006-01-21
Member since:2005-11-12
Member since:
2005-06-29
It's too bad the author didn't mention anything about installing multimedia codecs; how easy they are to add to any particular distribution is something I look for.
From his description SUSE looks more appealing than any of the previous versions. Every former version of SUSE I've tried ran so slow I could have sworn it was dragging an anchor behind it, but few people mention having experienced the same. I hope whatever causes the slowdown on my computer is resolved in this next version, and I hope adding in full multimedia support is easy enough.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2005-06-29
Member since:2005-07-27
KDE 3.5.x (3.5.1) section of
http://kde.org/screenshots/
was done on Suse 10.1 b9. Very little (superkaramba apps, Basket, Xine that CAN play mp3 and mpeg2, latest Kaffeine, latest Amarok) was added. Everything else - stock OpenSuse.
Member since:2005-07-06
Apt is (still) part of the distribution but not the default package manager.
All you have to do is to edit /etc/apt/sources.list.
You can find all the available components here:
ftp://ftp4.gwdg.de/pub/linux/suse/apt/SuSE/10.1-i386
Edited 2006-04-21 11:07
Member since:
2005-07-17
Simple overview of new Linux apps is not enough. I'd like to know what are the changes in comparison to 10.0 at least. Please stop submitting such rubbish :\
And I do not want to bash Suse but how come there is a list of "Most annoying bugs" in a release candidate? Wasn't it supposed to be something like "We're almost certain that our product is finished but needs a little testing in case we've missed something"? o_O
Edited 2006-04-21 01:05
Member since:
2006-01-02
Member since:
2005-07-27
Running OpenSuse 10.1 RC1 now on a 933Mhz PenIII, 512Mb sdram.
The Good:
OSuse 10.1 + KDE will be the best closest thing you can get to Windows XP PRO SP2 in terms of productivity, polish, features, power.
The quality shows starting with the graphical, Mac-like boot-to-desktop visuals and meticulous integration of beagle and NetworkManager into BOTH desktops.
It continues with extensive support for exotic devices (like my ivtv-based TV card. I just provided the firmware to make it work.) and complete GUI-based config suite (Yast) for managing servers (Samba, ftp in my case), devices, users and everything imaginable.
For the last week of using RC1 (and months of using betas) I only get into console to issue compiling commands. KDE + Suse is IT for me.
With all the talk of Suse going Gnome, I haven't seen a better KDE distro.
Imo, k/ubuntu is to Windows XP Home ed, like Suse is to Windows 2003 server / XP Pro.
The UGLY!:
Boy, oh boy did they mess up the RPM/Yast thing by switching to (Ximian's) red carpet. "apt -update" takes forever, and adding sources didn't work reliably since Beta 6 or 7. I don't know who had the courage to call this RC1 with this much crap. If my trusty KDE wouldn't have kpackage, I would ditch Suse in seconds.
Yeah, mp3 / mpeg2 / dvd playing is impossible in OpenSuse by default, but there is always Packman's renown "unofficial goodies" packages. 10.1 tree is already available.
As you see, "THE UGLY" stuff is fixable. After trying redhat, slackware, kubuntu and (some short flirts with Ximian/Corel, Mandrake), I think I finally settled.
RE: The good and the bad:
Member since:2005-07-27
I would not be that attached to KDE and would start loving or at least learning to live with GNOME if I was you.
Lol. You are either delusional, or poorly informed about the status of things. When Gnome actually gets somewhat on the level of features and integration of KDE, I may actually put in the thought.
I give Gnome a chance about 2 times a year, for the last 7 years of using Linux. Every time I come out feeling crippled. KDE is the closest you can come to a completely functioning desktop on Linux. Get your head out of the send once in a while.
Member since:2005-07-13
I would not be that attached to KDE and would start loving or at least learning to live with GNOME if I was you.
Just a thought.
Hmmmm.
Suse ripped beagle/mono away from it's Gnome dependencies and created a KDE-based front-end (kerry) and include a kio_slave to integrate desktop search into KDE, including konqueror and the file picker. Many distros would simply force you to install pretty much all of Gnome as a mono-dependency if you want to run Beagle.
Suse created a KDE-based front-end for NetworkManager (knetworkmanager) so that KDE users could have a native interface with kwallet integration for controlling wired/wifi access with WEP/WPA, as opposed to relying on the default Gnome applet that other distros settle for.
Suse is continuing to develop and improve kpowersave for improved power management and suspend/hibernate functionality where other KDE-based distros rely on the archaic, deprecated and unsupported kcmlaptop.
Suse is still has a KDE-based front end for their brand new and utterly horrific mono-based zen package management monster.
Suse continues to produce the one of the tighest, fastest and most nicely integrated KDE desktop among all of the mainstream distros.
And of course, all of these elements are going to be part of the enterprise offering, SLED, since they're on a common code-base.
Despite the hype and noise, Novell is far from being Gnome-exclusive and are not only continuing to support KDE, but are investing in and further developing it.
But hey, just an alternate thought.
Member since:2006-01-01
Like any true open source project, savy end users as well as developers will always be able to fork and retrofit windows and desktop managers over the core OS. Howerver, I say we wait a 14 or 15 months and we will see where GNOME and the "horrific" mono are at in comparison with KDE in respect with SUSE.
There are many forces at play here, corporate ones.
I my self don't object to Qt or KDE. I respect the achievements that they represent. I regret that people have to sling mud in an emotional display about projects that they don't prefer or work for.
I stand by my suggestion: If you like SUSE all that much, learn to embrace Gtk, Gtk#, GNOME, Gnome#.
Member since:2005-07-23
---------There are many forces at play here, corporate ones.------------
Thankfully. Without those corporate forces there wouldn't be much to look forward to, comparatively.
Especially those of you who are GNOME users. You really have alot of reasons to thank the corporate world.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:
2005-08-29
The interview is a little too positive( do you smoke grass? ). As a suse user (for 8 years) I tried this rc1. It gave me a lot of troubles. The eyecandy is there but there are too much bugs for me to use it as a desktop. Most of the time, suse prof. needs at least a month to get stable after its release. But I'm sure it will be good after that.
After using ubuntu for a month I must say that alpha relases can be stable. I like the concept better, first a stable platform, then the eyecandy.
Member since:
2006-01-31
Being a SUSE user for years it's good to see that there's some kind of 'grand master scheme'. Each version of SUSE is not a set of 'new, cool tools' but shows that there's actually a real design there. Seeing the network manager in 10.1 (not mentioned in the review) is one of those things. This means that network configuration (including VPN!) is as easily as it is on WindowsXP. Take my word, network manager really rocks!
Combined with the latest greatest KDE and GCC 4.1 this is a really, really advanced release!
SUSE guys, keep up the good work!
Member since:2005-07-06
This means that network configuration (including VPN!) is as easily as it is on WindowsXP.
EASY?! What world do you live in. I find it beeing a nightmare each time I have to help some friend or family member get their networkg going.
In linux (and probably other systems too) its really easy to diagnose from layer to layer.
ipconfig, mii-tool (some times), iptables, route, dnsq, theese are tools that are easy to use.
Digging around for random buttons to press in windows, is not easy. Espsially since there seems to be no logic to it. With som luck and voodoo you'll get it working, given that you managed to press the secret buttons in the correct order.
I hate windows...
Ok, sorry for the rant.
Member since:2006-02-02
Well, let's look at the definitions of "easy":
1. EASY as in 'useable' meaning that anyone, including my grandma and 2 year old can use it. Typical use : WindowsXP lets you connect to networks & VPNs very *easily*.
2. EASY as in 'queasy' with anything but the command line. Typical use : This GUI is so limited, I need easy access to some strange command line options.
Most users would like to hit one button, type in those two things their admin told them to input, and click "Connect". This is the case for both IPSec/L2TP and PPTP VPNs.
I am a power user of every tool you mention but I also understand the reason why I resort to them... and why most users are completely incapable of doing that.
I welcome the Network Manager with completely open arms - GREAT WORK, GUYS!!!
Member since:2005-07-06
ISO 9241-11 defines Usability as: "Extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use."
If the specified user is your grandma and 2 year old. I don't think any GUI is suitable. It should work automaticly when the cable is connected.
The context of use I'm referring to is when automatic for some reason doesn't work. In this context I need to have control. The pretty GUI won't help at all, they are designed for the first case (which shouldn't need a GUI at all).
Member since:2005-07-27
ISO 9241-11 defines Usability as: "Extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use."
If the specified user is your grandma and 2 year old. I don't think any GUI is suitable. It should work automaticly when the cable is connected.
:) Actually, that is exactly how NetworkManager works: You stick the cable in, the computer configures autodetects and configures the rest by itself. GUI is there for (a) feeling good about it (b) and entering passwords for wireless.
Member since:
2005-07-06
Member since:
2005-11-09
I am currently using 10.1 Beta9 at home and haven't bothered with my Win partition in a couple of weeks. It is very fast on my Athlon64 3000, Radeon 9800pro, and 512 ram. I wish the closed ATI drivers were at least an option. Installing them on my own wasn't the easiest and also not the hardest Linux project I have done. I wasn't brave enough to go for the 64bit version.
It still has some issues but it is the most polished distro I have used in awhile. After using Fedora, Gentoo, Mandrake, and Ubuntu I think I will stick with this one.
Member since:
2005-11-12
Member since:2005-07-06
Contrary to what has been said in the recent past, SUSE is a KDE based distribution. So they prefer to ship Gnome 2.12, which by now is rock-solid and which looks very pretty in their implementation.
It is a possibility (but by no means a certainty) that later on they'll make 2.14 available.
Member since:
2005-11-05
It is about time that SUSE started getting serious about security. With the latest versions of SUSE, they bundled AppArmor which is an easy to use Mandatory Access Control solution similar to Security Enhanced Linux (SELinux) developed by the US's National Security Agency.
The major differences between SELinux and Apparmor are label based versus path based security and the fact that Apparmor is simple to configure where SELinux is very difficult. Mandatory Access Control in mainstream Linux distributions puts their security light years ahead of any out of the box Windows solution.
http://www.novell.com/products/apparmor/
Member since:
2006-04-21
Member since:2005-07-23
You may not find screens for RC1, but you can find beta 9 screens here.
http://shots.osdir.com/slideshows/slideshow.php?release=609&slide=2...
osdir.com is a good resource for screens for alot/most distros.
http://shots.osdir.com/
Member since:
2006-04-09
