Customer Reviews

Suse Linux 9.0 Professional Edition

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

This operating system has all the benifits of windows: easy to use, autodetects almost all hardware devices, is compatabale with NTFS (the windows file system) and using certain applications (like WINE) you can even play windows games on it. The difference is you also have the extrememly powerful LINUX operating system at your disposal...

Even logged in as the administrator with windows it will still prevent you from performing a huge variety of tasks, but with Suse you can log in as "root" (linux's version of administrator) and do whatever you deem necessary, then log back in under your normal profile...

its a win-win situation at less than half the cost of the current version of windows xp.. (not to mention the incredible variety of applications that come with suse, which I might add are almost entirely free!) I know some other distrobutions of linux are free (almost all of them in fact) but I've found suse to be more user-friendly (especially since I myself am switching over from being a long-time windows user)

If you're asking yourself "does he sell this product seperately or something" nope.. I'm the network admin for a small company and I do a lot of tech support, I've simply found this operating system to be better than all those I've tried before...

I switched from RH 9.0 to SuSE 9.0 Pro because of a few concerns/frustrations with Redhat. (1) Difficulty with configuring access to the Windows network at my workplace, (2) RH's failure to recognize my new box's graphics card (Radeon 9200), (3) Redhat's shift in emphasis/philosophy away from developing and supporting directly Linux for the "average user".

So far SuSE 9.0 is doing well on the above concerns plus many others. YaST is overall an excellent way to control bootloader configuration, important for someone like me who messes with several OSes. (RH does not make it so easy.) Or network access/configuration. And many other issues. I am browing our Windows network with no problems. And SuSE 9.0 has supposedly added excellent support for accessing numerous dialup ISP's - a feature I admit I have not had cause to try yet. (Our family uses Netzero, which normally one cannot access under Linux.)

Installation was not as easy/smooth as Redhat. Choosing software packages is a bit clumsy the way YaST is set up - I had to search for Evolution, Mozilla, GAIM and then "check" them for installation. I prefer Redhat's partitioning - although I admit SuSE does give more control. (Primary or extended? Ah!) My new Athlon box had trouble reading the software packages on the DVD - had to use the regular CD's, which defeats the whole point. And I am still having trouble getting it to work on my DELL Inspiron 8200 laptop, my main machine - so far SuSE boots to a blank screen. That's not very helpful and pretty much hoses the reason I bought it.

That having been said, SuSE is still excellent. It seems much faster than pokey RH 9.0, much much better selection of software packages (Pingus!!! OpenOffice.org 1.1! KDE 3.1! and so on!), hardware detection/compatibility is stronger (whither Fedora?!?). Redhat (now Fedora) can learn some lessons - but frankly the reverse is also true. At least I didn't get a blank screen when using RH 9.0 on my laptop.

SuSE 9.0 Pro is everything every knowledgeable linux user could want. And this is precisely its main disadvantage, as converting new users from Windows with this distro is going to be a bit difficult due to the learning courve.

The documentation and the OS in general follows the original trend of using linux acronyms instead of "plain english" in several critical places that leave the begginer confused. For example: why the need to label the Video Configuration editing program "sax2"?. If you tell a windows user just beggining with Windows "You just need to run Sax2" do you imagine the look on his face?.

Don't get me wrong, SuSE 9.0 pro is a great linux for the linux connoisseur. If you are "into" Linux and you are looking for the best distro (specially after the news that Red Hat is leaving the retail space and end-user market), get SuSE 9.0 pro. Installing it from the dual-side DVD-ROM is a pleasure!. This is a good excuse to get a dvd-rom drive if you don't have one already.

Instead, if you are trying to convert someone from Windows to Linux, you will have better results by introducing him/her to something like LindowsOS 4.0.

The only "bad point" I give SuSE 9.0 pro is that the default config is too "kde-centric". For instance the default browser is Konqueror with is highly annoying (for example you try to bookmark a web page using the familiar ctrl-d and you get a Duplicate browser window opened). Once you switch to Mozilla 1.4 as the default browser, everything gets useable again.

I think one of the first things Novell should do with this product is to remove the reliance on half-baked KDE utils and use the "best of breed" tools for every area. (For example: why include KDEMail at all, with decent email clients already in the package in the form of Mozilla Mail and Ximian?).

OpenOffice 1.1 is okay, yet I would like to see them including the full StarOffice 7 suite from Sun, instead of the "free" opensource version.
A cd-burning and dvd-burning program is included!.

SuSE is one of the easiest versions of Linux to install. It makes an excellent desktop operating system with programs such as OpenOffice, Grip, Gimp, Mozilla, and Evolution. SuSE also comes with YaST, which makes setting up your system a simple task.

If you are using the internet, SuSE makes it a positive experience by providing you with applications such as the Mozilla web browser, Evolution email client, GAIM and Everybuddy for instant messenging, and a lot more. SuSE also provides you with a firewall to help keep unwanted intruders off your system.

If you like passing the time playing games, SuSE has plenty in store for you. There are strategy games, solitare games, miniature golf, arcade style games, etc.

If you'd like to take things a bit further, you can easily set up a web server to serve your own web pages, share your files and printer with other Linux or Windows users, or learn to develop your own software.

SuSE provides you with a complete solution to your computing needs at a very reasonable price. Compare that to Windows where $100.00 buys you the operating system and nothing else. For less than this, SuSE provides you with a Microsoft Office compatible office suite, powerful SQL database servers, a variety of software development tools, hundreds of games, and a whole lot more.

Been all the way with IT since 1970. Mainframes, DOS, unix, OS/2, Windows all versions.
This is the easiest - and best - I have seen yet. Smart GUI, installs virtually hands off, recognizes even a few exotic pieces of HW (latest Nvidea Gforce plus my camera), and doesn't mess-up my W/2000 - which is not the case the other way around. Hint, if you need both, install Windows first. Suse even adjusts disk space to make room for both.

It is bulletproof, doesn't crash, and as with Redhat which I used before, viruses and worms are unknown.

The delivered suite of programs are more than adequate for most users, and the office package is good. For real serious work, I'd recommend downloading StarOffice which does most things better than MS Office, and is immune to the VBA worms which has pestered the world for quite some time now.

Buy it. Why some people rate this 1 star, beats me.. Maybe they miss the twisting paperclip.

I have been using Linux in general and Suse in particular for several years now. Ive used Suse 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.1 and 8.2. Using computers is part of my profession and also my hobby. I have two workstations -- one is my media center and the other is for development and I also own two laptops. Suse has always been a good solid implementation of Linux and has improved every with every release. It comes with good graphics software, email, browser, office software that will do everything that MicroSoft Office does and is mostly compatible with Microsoft, desktop (KDE and Gnome) and several financial packages. It had everything needed to record my vinyl to CD. And if you're interested, you can take it apart to see how it works.

Not for everyone. If you consider yourself an advanced user and want to learn how a computer works, this is for you.

By the way -- I've never had a problem with a worm or a virus.

All of my machines are set up dual-boot (Windows 98, 95, ME and XP). This was easy to do and allowed me to go back and forth between where I wanted to go and what I knew. Right now two machines are on and both are in Linux.

I started using Suse 9.0 Pro as soon as it came out. All I can say is I absolutely love it. I use it at home and work for my desktops.

I see other reviews here saying it deleted my hard drive and other various things like it does not support NTFS etc. Well of course it doesn't support NTFS its not Windows and since MS has not released the NTFS specs how does anyone expect someone to decipher a convoluted file system like NTFS without any help? You have many file systems to choose from which are designed so that they don't need to be defragmented.

As for the people saying it deleted my hard drive. Was it Linux that changed your partition table by it's self or did you tell it to do it and didn't realize what you did? If you were going from Linux to Windows would there be a chance of you wiping your Linux partitions?

People that bought Suse Linux and complained that it's not Windows should have downloaded the evaluation version from the Suse website first. Then they would know it wasn't Windows and would not need to buy two operating systems. It's there, it's free, download it first. Where is the Windows demo?

Suse provides a nice Linux distribution with good configuration tools but Linux is not for everyone. (At least not yet.) Linux will do just about anything you want it to but you have to know how to drive it. Windows is easy to drive but won't do nearly as much.

I'm not going to sit here and say Linux is for everyone.. Some find that windows is the way to go for them, good for you choose what you prefer! However I converted completely to Linux/BSD systems it's my thing. Most users have been taught how to use the windows interface so when they see a linux interface they get confused, and mad because it's "Not what I'm use to". Again if your not up for a change don't run it. I found the cds to contain everything I need for a workstation/server. With the descriptions of what each item was it was easy enough to tell what I wanted/needed, although they could make it easier to choose packages for newer users. As of the date of writting this windows xp pro costs $269.99 then you add in the price for software easily costing you over a grand. I got what I wanted for alot less. PLEASE don't just buy this because it's cheaper then windows. I suggest you learn more about the linux OS before buying then making your decision based on what you need and how you want to run YOUR computer and don't let anyone else tell you different.

Now to reply to some of the comments:

C> Maybe the linux groups might think on the basics, also after losing ALL my information plus taking my PC to a repair center to have this Linux mess removed! ARRGG I am not happy!

C> One would think after hearing all the hype about Linux you should give it a try. Well, I did and what a nightmare, not only did it cause me to lose ALL of my hard drive because it wiped out Windows. It caused be to take my computer into a shop to have this linux mess removed from my computers hard drive.

Reply> This reply goes to both Comments.. Your mad because you lost your data on your windows partitions.. It's that simple! SuSE asks you about partitions and data but the average user just wants to hit next and kill it all a habbit they learned from windows.

C> Very frustrating and there is NO MULIT-MEDIA SUPPORT!

reply> This just isn't true! I watch DVD's play MP3's watch internet vids, all this is full sound and color.

C> First off let me explain, I have heard how interesting linux is. One would think that is it has some use in the world of computers. But it has NO functionality other than the ability to change themes and icons on the desktop. Good grief, who cares about this kind of non-sense. I need to use business applications not some useless NON-supported freeware apps.

reply> wow missed the web browers, the office suit (does everything MS office does!), the email program, the accounting program. What else do you need for business applications?

C> It is impossible to find software for linux, other than what is on the internet.

reply> Thats kind of the point, I don't have to go to a software store and spend a grand to get the software I want/need. Even Gaming Companys are starting to port to linux, ID software is known for this. Although at this time you won't find the linux game in regular stores mainly online ones such as this.

C> My PC has now crashed trying to install this horrible software. All of my information on my hard-drive (Windows) side is now unavailable, plus when I try to boot my machine it crashes with a kernel panic.

Reply> Without being there I can not help you with the Kernel panic problem, however go on the internet and look up Fdisk and more specifily fdisk /mbr for rebuilding to windows boot however by the time of writting this you've probley fully wiped your hd and reinstalled. Or the other simple answer might be read the first reply..

Again Linux isn't for everyone, I enjoy it and love it. I know in time as linux gets easier and easier so will more people.

This is a nice distro, with several aspects of polish. However, as other reviewers have noted, if you need support resolving any installation issues, you'd better be a Linux guru or at least know one. I agree with others; SuSe tech support puts out more effort trying to find ways of NOT providing you support than helping you to solve any problems you encounter.

Let's face it, Micro$oft's dominance of the market means few hardware vendors even bother to attempt Linux support. The Open Source community does an excellent job overcoming this hurdle, but often installation has its hiccups. That's where a distro's tech support becomes vital; to guide you through the catacombs of Linux to find the appropriate config file to tweak.

In my experience with SuSe, they refuse to support my modem; a basic ISA modem which SuSe did not recognize. I wiped SuSe off my disk, installed Red Hat and had zero problems.

I've seen many comments on the Web suggesting that SuSe is no longer the customer-oriented company they once were since they have been acquired by Novell. My suggestion to you is carefully review their hardware compatibility database before you consider this distro and hope that nothing goes wrong during hardware detection.

I've tried all the big ones - Red Hat 5.2 through 7.3, Mandrake 7.0 through 8.2, and finally I found SuSE. Now, unlike many others, I have a dedicated machine for Linux. It's a couple of years old, but I'll get it on a newer machine next year.

Anyway, I've never encountered any of the problems except the mouse problem listed below in other reviews. It's not uncommon to SuSE, either. I had the same mouse problem in Mandrake Linux too. Seems Microsoft uses something proprietary in their mice. Getting a Logitech or other non-Microsoft mouse fixes the issue.

My only gripe: SuSE ships with crippled software. Some applications, due to possible unwanted litigation, are crippled to block certain features. I understand that a Linux distro vender doesn't want any legal mess, but Mandrake and Red Hat both provided full working versions of the software they provided. However, there are several places to go on the internet, including a great one by a guy that calls himself Packman, to get newer rpm packages that have complete usability. I burned a bunch of mp3's while writing this review, unlike someone has claimed here.

That said, SuSE is every bit as reliable as Red Hat ever was and twice as reliable as Mandrake. Never had reliability issues that I didn't cause myself by messing around where I shouldn't. Unlike Windows, though, dropping into text mode allows you to fix most, if not all, problems without ever rebooting.

Yes, Linux has a learning curve. Did you forget you had one when you first sat down to a Windows or Mac computer too? It's a completely different OS, so don't expect it to act anything like an OS you're currently using. You must learn the Linux/Unix way of thinking and how and why it behaves like it does.

One thing I like about SuSE is the use of the Kool Desktop Environment, or KDE. It is chock full of eye candy and customization features. Anyone claiming this user interface is dated is just plain lying. No, it isn't the hand holding, brain dumbing, wizards everywhere interface that XP has. That's the point. You have so much free access to customize your experience that Windows and Mac pale in comparison.

With your investment in SuSE Linux 9, you not only get the OS, but every application you'll ever need, unless it's something exotic. Compare that to $299 for XP Professional, then all the software you must buy, and the days of installing it all. You check off what you want in SuSE and in about an hour or so, you have your OS _and_ all of your software and drivers up and running. Now, don't get me wrong...there are hardware issues. That's just Linux. Third party hardware companies haven't seen fit to provide Linux drivers for their stuff. Who's fault is that? It's not Linux's... The open source community has done its best to reverse engineer everything they could, and for most, it's fine. For some, there may be problems.

Once I started using Linux and got the hang of it, I spend more time using SuSE than I do my Windows machine, and it's both newer and faster.