Try 5 reasons for OPENSUSE 11.4 - PCWorld

With hundreds of Linux distributions to choose from, users of the open source operating system face what can be called almost an embarrassment of riches are as numerous their options.

Of course Ubuntu is-by far the most downloaded and popular version of Linux, according to Distrowatch. Then there is Linux Mint--my second Favorit--together with Debian, Splashtop Linux, Puppy Linux and Zorin OS is, just to name a few.

Another very popular distribution is OPENSUSE, which currently contains Distrowatch's no. 5 spot. Version 11.4 of the Novell backup software was released just last week, and it has a number of compelling additions and updates, making the right choice for your business. Here is a little taste what you can expect.

1. Stability and performance

Stability is a priority of the OPENSUSE project, and the base system of this latest version is no exception. In addition, it adds however better scalability and performance, and an extended boot sector, as well as other improvements.

Based on version 2.6.37 of the Linux kernel, the software uses many improvements in this release, including better scalability of virtual memory management and separation of terminal user tasks. The new kernel brings additional hardware support, as I have noted above, including open Broadcom wireless drivers and improved support of Wacom.

2D and 3D acceleration, now better due to the inclusion of the improved graphics driver, says the OPENSUSE project.

With the ability to download from multiple servers at the same time and are only the parts of files retrieved, changed, offers OPENSUSE of repository now also much faster, refreshments along with package installations and updates. A newly reinforced boot process VirtualBox and the SELinux security framework supported now.

(2) Integrated software options

OPENSUSE brings the KDE plasma Desktop 4.6 with GNOME 2.32, 4.8, Xfce and LXDE 0.5 as alternatives. Also included is GNOME shell, which are part of the upcoming GNOME 3.

OpenOffice.org was with LibreOffice 3.3.1-making OPENSUSE-the first mainstream distribution of the new candidate, vessel document Foundation the project sagt-- replaced and Firefox 4 and Scribus 1.4 are also included.

All such software as Xfce and LXDE is integrated, says the OPENSUSE project for consistent functionality in lighter desktops. Keyboard shortcuts are set, for example, while menu layouts are optimized and file associations are user friendly.

For integration of LibreOffice and Firefox in KDE plasma improved the operating system uses styling native file dialogs and oxygen, and it respects the users email client and browser options.

3. Continuous updates

While traditionally users left on a set of release cycle for updates for their software, OPENSUSE 11.4 leads the new Tumbleweed rolling release repository as an option. Tumbleweed contains the latest stable versions of software such as Firefox and Thunderbird, so that it keep up to date easier for the user.

4. Management

Targeting administrators and developers, OPENSUSE 11.4 the latest virtualization and Web server stack together with ships "all major development languages, platforms and associated IDEs", says the project. Such as Xen 4.0.2, VirtualBox 4.0.4 and KVM are included under the additions, 0.14 for virtualization and 2.2.17 Apache, lighttpd 1.4.26 and Ngninx 0.8.54 on the Web server.

Version 9.0.3 of PostgreSQL that are MySQL 5.1.53 Community Edition and the fork MariaDB 5.1 also included.

(5) The freedom of Linux

Last but not least are the numerous benefits that you receive when you use the most of any version of Linux, including the freedom, correspondingly change the software from your company, the freedom from lock-in effect, from the rampant malware and the freedom of exorbitant costs.

Did I mention that OPENOFFICE is free? It can now be downloaded for free, but can be purchased also as a retail version with 90 days of installation support, physical media and a printed manual getting started for $71.50. Depending on what you take routes, is there no better OPENSUSE for a test drive take time.

Follow Katherine Noyes on Twitter: @ Noyesk.

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