Hello SuSE!

Aftter a brief encounter with M$'s validation server I decided to switch over to Linux. I just picked up SuSE 10.0. For those that may have been toying with the idea of switching over, here are some pros and cons: (first impressions)

Pros
$60.00 for an entire suite (including a built-in firewall)
Less of a virus target than Windows
Can use it as many times as you want (Licensing Agreement says so!)
Terminal Emulation
Choice of Desktop Platforms (KDE or GNOME)


Cons
5 CD installation takes forever (about as long, or longer than Windows)
Getting used to a new OS
Take longer to boot up than Windows

Again, these are opinions based on a one night experience of installing and playing around a bit. Tonight I'll configure my first hybrid network and see how well it integrates.

 

Quitter.......

 

What is the mechanism for updates and patching like? Is there some sort of tool that scans your machine and tells you waht updates you need? Also, would I be correct in assuming that the patches are distributed as binary installs?

This is one of the concerns that's keeping me from having a Linux box in the house. I don't want to have to go hunting all over the Internet to make sure my machine is up to date.

 

Dunno about Suse updates, but Redhat has an automatic updater. It works very nice too. It somehow keeps a list of all the various versions of packages on the machine. It then compares them to what is on the redhat server and then offers to update them.

 

I'm very tempted to do this. What about compatibility with Windows programs? Do you have to get used to a whole new batch of programs as well as a new OS?

 

 

As you know Linux is open source, but if you purchase it, it is fully supported. In fact it does the updates while installing (during networking phase). This is good because (for security reasons) I usually do not link to the internet to download patches until I harden my system, then afterwards I perform a scan.

 

The office suite (OpenOffice) in Linux is compatible with their Windows counterparts. In some cases they share platforms. For example you can use Mozilla on a Windows machine too. As for the dissimilar applications suchs as Word, Excel, etc you can convert them if you need to. Another step just to open a document but in a Windows environment you have to I suppose. But if you are just printing, it looks the same on paper.

 

you'll be bill gates' bitch again...wait and see.

 

M$ owns me...

 

I am an avid PC gamer, so can't live without M$

 

I know, and its pathetic.

 

He owns us all. Even the avid Linux crowd, but they'd never admit to it.

 

Please keep us updated on your progress, because I am really considering making this switch.

Does anyone know if it's possible to network a Linux pc and an MS pc?

 

OK.

And yes you can net the two. As a matter of a fact that is what I'll be doing tonight.

 

You can use 90% of your windows applications on Linux by using WINE. Also, you probably installed about 2-4gb worth of stuff with the OS, which isn't uncommon. You may never use the full potential of the machine or the products installed. You can also use the DVD to install it. Did you get the personal or professional version?

If anyone is just looking for a great office product w/o buying MS Office then check out openoffice.org. The product works great, stable, and allows you to save in MS format for compatibility reasons. The product does lack an email client, but you can always use Mozilla.

 

I'm not sure about Suse; However, i've been running a Red hat Linux server at home for the last 3-4 years.

Currently I'm using RHEL3 (Soon be upgrading to RHEL4). It performs updates via the up2date program which automatically looks up what programs you need, and you can choose which ones you need to update/upgrade. It distributes these as rpms as well. In addition to the core set of updates you get through the "core channel", there are other channels you can subscribe to so that you can install/update more software that doesn't come with the standard build.

 

the nerds are strong in this one.

 

Yes I did. It is 2.4Gigs to be exact, but I didn't know what I did not need. When I get as good as I am with Windows I'll make the necessary adjustments.

I'm running this on an old Compaq Presario with a CD drive and that DVD is dual density, so no dice on that one.

There is nothing on the box or CDs or manual that signifies whether it is personal or professional so I can't answer that last one. I do know that it is the lastest SuSE suite available (v. 10.0).