SUSE Linux

[Apathetic]

So, what do you guys like or dislike about SUSE Linux? I'm thinking about giving it a try.

Dave

 

[cleverhandle]

Like:
A classy and professional implementation of KDE.
All typical configuration accessible through a single program - yast2.
Solid package management tools.

Dislike:
Not free as in beer.
Limited 3rd party package support compared to Red Hat.
The configuration architecture is rather messy under the hood, though you should rarely need to dig around there.

 

[thornc]

Not free as in beer.

If you do a network install it is free(gratis!)!

Limited 3rd party package support compared to Red Hat.

With LSB this isn't that big of an issue anymore!

 

[rneff50]

Why does Suse not distribute ISOs? How long does it take to do a network install (i know it depends on network speed, etc) but wouldnt it take a really long time (several hours)?

 

[skyking]

The beauty of network installs is it makes you think what you really want, and you do not opt for "what the heck, send me every damn bloated thing".
Another advantage is currency. The CD is old stuff almost immediately after getting stamped; a network install will get you the most current stuff.
Edit: to answer your question, I have no idea, I have never done it. The network installs I do are so automatic, I could care less how long it takes. Much less "hit enter" than a typical windows install, you can get it going and go to bed. It will be largely done in the morning

 

[sciencewhiz]

I do network installs over a local 10base t network via nfs and it takes 30 mins to and hour depending on the speed of the computer. Figure that you will be downloading 1 gig of data, and that will give you at least the right order of magnitude.

 

[thornc]

Originally posted by: rneff50
Why does Suse not distribute ISOs?

Basically because they want to get paid for their work! They allow for a free network install and that's it!
They also supply a Live Eval CD, which you can use to get a feeling of the distro!

In fact after RedHat, SuSe is the next Linux player making serious business all over Europe and the US.