OpenSuse is a free Linux distribution for your PC, Laptop or server. I have used used SUSE Linux for the last 3 years, I even used it running Open Exchange at a previous company I worked at. SUSE Linux is developed by Novell and is a very robust distro and their developers have strong involvement in the Linux and Open Source community, something that Ubuntu lacks. Ubuntu is a good OS but the business backing of the company makes it difficult for their developers to get stuck in helping develop for the community. Anyway leaving the grey area…..
OpenSUSE is the official opensource version of SUSE Linux and it’s perfect for the Desktop Linux user. Version 11.1 is only literally a couple of days away and I cannot wait to get it downloaded. I have played with the 11.1 beta (at an undisclosed location) and really liked it. It comes with the new OpenOffice with better compatibility with Microsoft, advanced desktop 3D effects, a powerfull commandline package manager Zypper (for CLI lovers), the famous Yast Package and System management tool, Gnome Desktop with SUSE’s clean Start Menu or KDE 4, easy installation via an intallation DVD or via a Live CD.
When I played with the 11.1 beta version the only thing the still lacked, for the corporate user, was the native inegration of PPTP, the VPN protocol for Windows networks. You can get it working by installing the right libraries for PPTP but it would be a big leap towards full integration if that was an “out of the” box feature. Anyway, one of the developers have filed a bug with these details and maybe the final release will have it, I will find out in 2 days.
SUSE has also other flavours, targeted at specific markets, Corporate Desktop with SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED), Enterprise Server, Virtualization Products, Team Colaboration and so on. Check out the Novell website to find out a solution that would suit you needs.
