Software SuSE Linux 8.2 Professional
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My first computer was running a *BSD system. Then I moved to Solaris, then to Linux, then to Windows, and now I am back with Linux again.
I have worked with all Linux distributions you can put your hands on. As a matter of fact, I have been working for a European computer magazine, which topic was Linux and Unix systems. Therefore, I am an experienced user of Unix/Linux systems.
Currently, I have four computers running at my place - desktop, server, laptop, and a music box. Before, I used to put a different distribution on each of these computers - Slacware on the server, Mandrake on the music box, debian on my desktop and redhat on my laptop. It was a problem - everytime there was an important bug discovered I had to update all my machines - each one using different tools and so on. This was what got me a little bit mad at Linux.
What I wanted was a one distribution which I would put on all my computers, and which will be easy to maintain and use. I also did not want my distro to limit me in any way.
Then I have discovered SuSE. Currently, I use SuSE 8.2 Professional on ALL of my computers, including my computer at work. This systems allows itself to be adjusted to the need of the user - it is not a server or desktop distro - it is whatever you want it to be!
Also, what I really like about this system is the automatic update feature - just like in Windows. I know that some people do not like it... but I surely do! It is just because I am a really busy man and I plainly have not time to keep track of all the bugs out there.
Some people might say that Linux has less functionality than Windows. Well, this is not true. The 'out of the box' Linux system has much more software then Windows and, to be honest, some of this software is of a very high quality (emacs, adobe acrobat reader, rplayer, mplayer, mp3 ripper and conventer, TV software, lots of audio software, several internet browsers - including mozilla - and mail clients - including Evolution which is an equivalent of Microsoft's Outlook).
Yes - Linux is not for novices. But KDE and GNOME, GUI environments for Linux, are very easy to learn and use. My girlfriend, who does not really know much about computers, recently got a used IBM laptop and installed SuSE 8.2 Personal (with KDE as default GUI) on it. She started using it right away - without reading any tutorial or book! This is how easy it can be.
Anyway... i have lots of gadgets. Color printer with duplex, digital camera, DVD burner, and so one. All of these gadgets work just fine on my SuSE desktop. Well, maybe except DVD burner which is sometimes a little bit tricky to get it going.
Guys at SuSE are doing a great job. Their system could easily replace Windows... and I feel that upcomming SuSE 9.0 will be even more desktop friendly.
I know some people might ask why should I pay for SuSE if I can download it for free??? And I have no answer to this question. But I know I use it on four of my computers and I have been buying SuSE since 7.1 - because it is worth it.
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If you can install Windows, then you can install this. The YaST2 installer was one of the easiest that I've ever used - I quickly had my system installed and running without ever consulting the directions once. This is the fourth distro that I've decided to play with (Mandrake, Red Hat, and Debian being the first), and IMHO I think it is the most end-user ready. If I had to give one complaint, it would be that I could not find an option during the install to select a non-graphical login, but that is mere cosmetics.
I don't ever see this replacing my FreeBSD server, but it will make an excellent development/day-to-day work machine, plus it doesn't terrify my non-techie girlfriend.
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I just bought and installed Linux on my Dell laptop and couldn't be happier. I was having constant issues with my Windows XP to the point where I could not be on the computer for more than a few minutes before it locked up. Not being technically inclined, I was a little worried about installing Linux. However, the installation program recognized every hardware component and the printer. There was no problem with accessing the internet or having to download any drivers. I have not used the other companies versions of Linux, but SuSE worked just fine for my system. There has yet to be a problem with the system, and all my Word documents converted over. I completely removed Windows XP, so I don't how the partitioning or having both systems on the computer performs. But I am glad I made the change.
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I'm a longtime SuSE user. I've been using SuSE since version 5.x. The only reason I bought 8.2 pro was for the directory encryption, which according to the SuSE.com website is new for version 8.2. I couldn't find the documentation for it, so I posted a message to the support mailing list, and got not one single response. I eventually figured it out myself. It appears that this is nothing more than loopback encryption (which has been around since version 7.3) which if my assessement is correct, makes me wonder what else is renamed and not necessarily "new".
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SuSE Linux is the best looking, most feature-filled, easiest to use Linux I've ever used. I've tried Red Hat and Mandrake before going to SuSE and I've never been happier. No, I'm not a Linux expert by any means. I have a skill level in Linux equivelent to an intermidiate level user of Windows. If you're looking to make the leap to Linux as painlessly as possible, this is it.
Let me warn you first: Linux is not Windows. It operates differently. You wouldn't expect a Mac to act like Windows, would you? Do you remember when you first learned to use Windows? It had a little bit of a learning curve, didn't it? Linux, too, has a learning curve. The difference is that you don't have a bunch of friends to get you up to speed as quickly. However, to use Linux, you must learn about Linux.
Now, people that say they've never had issues getting hardware to work under Windows is either lucky or lying. How many times have you installed Windows, then tried to install drivers for something, only to find a nice nasty exclamation point in the Device Manager, telling you it isn't working? Yes, it happens often. The same goes for any breed of Linux. They do what they can to support as much as they can, but if you have a rather uncommon setup, chances are you'll have a few headaches. I, personally, have not had problems with either SuSE 8.1 Pro or SuSE 8.2 Pro.
As far as Linux distributions go, I can't say enough about SuSE. It auto-detected everything on my machine and works without a hitch. I must say, after trying Mandrake and Red Hat Linux, I haven't had a nicer installation experience, ever.
Now, there are some configurations you must do in order to get the most out of it, but that's Linux. For instance, to get HTML email, you must first configure KMail to use HTML in Settings->Configure KMail->Appearance->Profiles by selecting HTML, then you must go into your home folder and edit ~/.kde/share/config/kmailrc. You must find the section "[Reader]" and the line "htmlLoadExternal=false" and change the value to "true". Only then will you get images in HTML email. These are things you learn how to do when you use Linux. It's part of setting up your applications, sometimes. Again, this isn't Windows... Don't get scared, if you're new to Linux! Read on...
Now, everyone has to do administration functions in all operating systems. SuSE provides YaST. Simply put, in the Linux world, it's the best there is. You do everything from getting hardware info, changing your hardware settings, installing software, getting online updates, backing up your system, configuring your firewall, and just about everything under the sun in one convenient, well laid-out application. It doesn't get any easier. You can do the majority of your administration needs from the graphical interface, just like Windows. Unlike Windows, there isn't a nasty Registry to deal with. Instead, Linux uses individual files that are easy to decipher and usually located in easy-to-find places like your home folder.
So what if you do have trouble? Well, first off, SuSE offers installation support. However, I've never had to use it. The best way is to use the newsgroups (usenet) either with a reader like KNode in Linux, Outlook Express in Windows, or by going to groups.google.com. The newsgroup you'll need is alt.os.linux.suse. You'll get plenty of help there. I've yet to experience a problem they've not solved. Now, occasionally, you'll run into the life-hating geek that wants to push your buttons, but most are as helpful as they can be. Just don't leave a vague message. You must provide all necessary info about your problem to get a response. That is how I learned to get around in Linux. I'm probably no smarter than the average guy, so I'm quite confident that you can learn too.
How much do I like Linux now that I'm more comfortable with it? Well, I have a Windows computer running XP Pro that's about a year old. Linux is on machine that is about 5 years old. Which one do I use 90% of the time? You guessed it, the Linux machine. Say goodbye to viruses and spyware and say hello to Linux - SuSE Linux!
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