Customer Reviews

SuSE Linux 8.2 Professional

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have tried various Linux Distros on my computer for the last year or so now, but always gone quickly back to windows.Every distro has either tried to crash my system or fought with windows, and I never found one that I felt was worth the trouble.

SuSE has finally ended the dry streak! It installed gracefully and easily alongside my Windows XP, set up its partitions without a problem and has been easy to use since then. The YaST utility for controlling and modifying settings is excellent and intuitive and will help you overcome most if not all of your hardware heartaches. The Professional edition includes 5 CDs and 2 DVDs for easier installation and has thousands of useful packages included. The GRUB boot loader works like a charm and didn't bother Windows XP a bit, something I can't say for RedHat.Also unlike RedHat, SuSE Linux WILL play mp3 files.

All in all this is a fine Distro, and will definitely a great place to start if you are still trying to find your way in the Linux world. Heck, I'm writing this from SuSE Linux!

I've used several linux distros over the years, and the SuSE 8.2 is the best I've seen, and by far the easiest to install and use. I use it dual-boot with Windows 2000 (install win2k first, then SuSE, use the GRUB boot manager). It took several hours to get win2k up and running, networked, etc. but only took about 45 mins to get SuSE fully installed and up and running. I didn't have a single install problem with SuSE, not one. For comparison, I did have several problems with the win2k install, and these were tricky to solve.

Once installed, I found SuSE very easy to use. Its a far cry from the old days when you had to spend hours just to get basic programs installed and up and running. You do need to know a few basic *NIX skills like such as creating directories, changing permissions and group assignments, untarring/unzipping files, etc. but if you know these you'll be fine.

The default KDE is a great desktop and is easy to use. Its not quite as easy as win2k, but very close. Most programs that are available on win2k are available for linux, but there are many more available for linux that are not available for win2k (and most are free for linux).

Using YAST2, you can easily install programs that come with SuSe: just search for the package you want to install, click on the checkbox, and then install it. It will tell you what CD(s) to put in, and then you're off. The online updates for security patches, etc. worked just fine. I did download the newer Mozilla 1.4 and Netscape 7.1 browsers off the web, and found they worked flawlessly at the many sites I visited (including commerical sites and banking sites).

The bottom line is that I found SuSE 8.2 almost as easy to use as Windows 2000, but with far more capability. Given the great programs like Star Office now available for linux, I find little reason to use ms windows these days. And I don't have to worry about all those viruses and nasty windows security problems that seem to pop up all the time with ms products.

I would like to point out that whether linux works for a person or not depends on what hardware is being used (most linux problems are driver problems), so try to use common/widely available hardware when possible. Probably the people that give bad reviews here had some of this incompatible hardware.Also, there are still many programs that will run only in windows, and if you're one of those people who must use those programs, then you better stick with windows. You can run some windows programs on linux using WINE and VMWare, so you might want to test and see if that works for you.

SuSE Linux 8.2 Professional is the best version of SuSE that I have installed and used. Although it is an incremental release, it is far better and more intuitive than version 8.0; plus, it features KDE 3.1.1 (or GNOME and other windowing systems, if you prefer). OpenOffice.Org is an improvement over SuSE's previous inclusion of the outdated StarOffice 5.2. (Version 6.0 is the most current version.) In addition, OpenOffice.Org has matured into a fulll-featured, FREE office suite. SuSE's free on-line installation support seems to have improved over the last several months, although occasionally I have had a question unanswered. As usual, SuSE comes with a large collection of CD's containing "bonus software." If you have a DVD-ROM drive in your PC, it's much easier to use the DVD. Finally, SuSE detected all of my hardware without problems, simplifying installation and configuration.

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!

When I first got my Sony Vaio I ripped MS Windows off of it and got to work installing RedHat 8. But after two days of fighting I was only marginally successful at getting it to work. Even then, features like ACPI support still had to be compiled into the Linux kernel that came with RedHat 8. After asking on some mailing lists, I was told that SuSE would be the way to go. Those who recommended it were right. I installed SuSE 8.1 and in a couple of hours I was up and ready to go. As soon as I was able to order from Amazon.com, I got SuSE 8.2 and it's stability and robustness on the Vaio is even *better* than 8.1 was. ACPI power management is more robust, KDE is better and the whole OS seems to run even faster than before. Sure, you can go and get a 'free' distro from a website, but SuSE Professional is *worth every penny you'll spend* in the headaches it'll save you from in getting everything installed and configured. SuSE really works hard to make a distribution that you'll be satisfied with.

Okay, the professional review says that this product is easy to install and setup straight out of the box and that no computer experience is neccessary. Well, you might get lucky. Linux is a fantastic operating system and is a viable alternative to Windows but... While the installation tool YAST2 set up the system using an intuitive installation interface it didn't quite get everything right; getting my graphics card to work properly meant going to the vendors site (NVIDIA) and downloading their drivers and installing them myself. Additionally tweaking the system is not as easy as with Windows and, of course, you have a limited selection of software that will run on Linux. Having said all that, with SUSE Linux you get an excellent set of installation and application manuals (when was the last time Microsoft put documentation in their box?) and there is quite a bit of software that comes with the system. You get two complete office packages (K office and OpenOffice) which are more or less compatible with MS Office. While not too many software companys write versions for Linux, not too many virus authors do either. Now that most of the bugs are out of Linux it is a phenomonally stable system. I haven't ever had to reboot my Linux box in the past couple of years, where my XP machine gets the "master bus reset" treatment every couple of months. Also SUSE does provide 90 days of installation support, which I haven't had to use as I have fairly extensive UNIX/Linux experience. Overall, if you want to dabble in Linux and either have some computer savvy or are willing to learn this package is more than worth the price!

I used the DVD instalation on my laptop and I can't begin to describe how easy it was to install. And stable too might I add! All the necessary drivers were ALL installed as required without askig you tons of geek-tech questions. Network, Internet, E-Mail, Lan, whatever the case, it all worked with minimal configuration! The online update utility worked like a magical charm and in a matter of minutes, the entire OS was updated! I have had other version of SuSE and yest it is my personal Linux distro choice. 2 thumbs up for the underdogs? Perhaps. Tons of off beat programs included; some good, some weird, some useless... Two manuals included, user guide and administrator guide. Haven't realy touched the user guide as it's mainly for using the various included software titels. The Admin guide is a little vague at times and I found myself going to the book store for more info. There is life outside of Windows!

I've been a user of SuSE Linux since 7.3, but this is the first time I felt I had to really speak out for Linux.

SuSE has done an INCREDIBLE job of making Linux end-user accessible.

Out of the box, SuSE Linux supports a wide variety of hardware and includes a TON of applications, including the openoffice.org office suite (which is essentially "Star Office 6" without the database program.)

Changing hardware is a snap! I've upgraded a video card and sound card and SuSE picked them up in a snap. It works just as well as Windows XP in that regard.

And unlike Windows, there is no ridiculous "product activation" nonsense! As I change hardware often, I got very tired of dealing with Microsoft to reactivate something I legally purchased and paid for.

Also, none of SuSE's included programs transmit private data back to some scheming, untrustworthy company. Just try that on your favorite monopoly's bloaty media player program for example...

And the new KDE user interface is beyond fantastic! Text is no longer jagged, the interface is more intuitive than Microsoft's "Explorer" (more customizable, too), and the screen savers alone are worth the purchase of this OS.

And provided you don't use the NTFS file system (though you can still use Windows NT, 2000 Pro, or XP Home/Pro), you can have Linux peacefully co-exist with Windows, if you come across a Windows app that won't run under any of Linux's emulation programs. (I use Win4Lin, Wine, and WineX)

Games like Unreal Tournament 2003 and Return to Castle Wolfenstein are also made natively for Linux. And they run much faster under Linux than they do Windows. (this is the other reason why Windows is called "Windoze", "winbloat", et cetera.)

This time I'm vocal, bumper stickers and all. SuSE is definitely worthwhile, especially if you're tired of those ... 'blue screens of death'.

SuSE has done a smashing job.

Now if I could find the Loki ports of several games I have in Windows format (like SimCity 3000, Civilization Call to Power, Descent 3, et cetera...)

I've installed this distro on 3 seperate computer and each one worked perfectly....including the internet access on all 3. Online update works perfectly, supported everything I had without even a hic up on any of the 3 computers I've installed on. I like the simplicity of YAST for stalling/removing/updating software and configuring the desk top was a snap on KDE which comes loaded along with GNOME. I don't have a bad thing to say about SUSE 8.2 but ALOT of good things. My friends are running it now too.

I am again pleased with SUSE with the newest release of their brand of Linux. A soundly quality product with many bonuses. The installation is easier than ever (installation with SUSE was always among the best). It works great with my wireless network, unlike many other distros which I have tried. Setting up SUSE Professional as a network server is relatively easy, using it for a desktop OS is even easier. I highly recommend it. Out of 8 distros I have tried over the past 3 years, SUSE provides a much better product than the others.

SUSE 8.2 works great on my Compaq Presario 12XL410 Laptop too (which is also set up with a wireless NIC). This came as somewhat of a surprise as I have been having a multitude of problems getting Linux on this laptop for over 2 years. SUSE 8.1 and 8.2 both work on this laptop just fine with no problems installing or operation.

SUSE has included a firewall program called Firewall2 that is nothing less than superb. It is incredibly secure setting it up during install right out of the box. With a bit of additional tweaking you'll have an exceptionally secure network connection to the internet.

Downloading patches or security updates is an integrated function of SUSE Professional 8.2 and works quite well. Also, updating the the distro (such as going from Samba 2.2.7 to 2.2.8a) is just as easy as any Microsoft product.