What is difference between OpenSUSE GA nd GM?
In what context do you say GA and GM, what are they? [sorry to be so out of touch].
Having searched for this answer myself:
In the context of openSUSE-11.4-GM , this means “Gold Master” - the last and final build that can also be shipped as DVDs later. As per Roadmap, is usually done a week before the public release.
GA = “General Availability” - also in SLES-11-GA it differentiates the initial “SP0” version without other service pack updates.
AFAIK GA is a well-known term for general release of a software/hardware product used for many, many years across the IT industry. GM means the same but maybe unique to openSUSE (?) - that’s where I first came across it anyway.
So it seems that we make all the GA isos from the GM iso, etc…
consused wrote:
> AFAIK GA is a well-known term for general release of a software/hardware
> product used for many, many years across the IT industry. GM means the
> same but maybe unique to openSUSE (?) - that’s where I first came across
> it anyway.
GM is an ancient term from the recording industry vinyl days. They’re
part of the pressing process and were reused as the ‘gold disks’ given
to artists. There are also audiophile CDs coated in gold.
In the software world Apple has used it for releases since last century
and it was also used back then in the banking/finance business.
On Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:36:02 +0000, consused wrote:
> AFAIK GA is a well-known term for general release of a software/hardware
> product used for many, many years across the IT industry. GM means the
> same but maybe unique to openSUSE (?) - that’s where I first came across
> it anyway.
GA = General Availability
GM = Gold Master
Both terms are used throughout the industry; I have heard Gold Master
from both Novell and Microsoft for many, many years. 
Jim
–
Jim Henderson
openSUSE Forums Administrator
Forum Use Terms & Conditions at http://tinyurl.com/openSUSE-T-C
I suspect GM is more relevant to developers and people dealing with the software “factory”, whereas the average user and others external to the factory are more interested in GA as they never get their hands on the real GM.
The iso images went Gold first. Then it may be a few days later that the mirrors are synced then we reached GA status.
I don’t really no that…