Open Question about openSuSE

English Install/Boot/Login
#1

Sorry, I’m unsure where I should post this.

However, I’m currently doing my IT certification at TAFE and we had to do a clean install of SuSE. This was my first ever linux experience, and I must say, I was VERY impressed with the default look of the OS. It seemed very clean, crisp, and ran rather well.

So I was thinking about trialing it on my home computer and I’m a little confused with all the Gnome and KDE chatter that I see in refrence to Linux in general. I was hoping someone could clear it up for me.

Also, my current machine’s spec’s are;
-2.40GHz Intel Pentium 4 Processor.
-512MB of ram.
-With onboard graphics and sound.

What would be the best version of SuSE to run?

Also, I know that WINE allows you to run windows applications. Would this include photoshop cs4 and microsoft office 2007?

Any insight onto this would be greatly appriciated as SuSE appears to be a rather powerful OS.

#2

On Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:16:01 +0000, iCHRYST wrote:

> So I was thinking about trialing it on my home computer and I’m a little
> confused with all the Gnome and KDE chatter that I see in refrence to
> Linux in general. I was hoping someone could clear it up for me.
>
> Also, my current machine’s spec’s are; -2.40GHz Intel Pentium 4
> Processor. -512MB of ram.
> -With onboard graphics and sound.
>
> What would be the best version of SuSE to run?

Well, GNOME vs. KDE is really a personal preference. What you might do
is download the liveCDs for each and give them a try and see which you
prefer.

I prefer GNOME myself; the interface is pretty simple/clean and
uncluttered. Some people prefer KDE3 or KDE4 and the additional
flexibility/configurability that it provides. I’ve used both, but I tend
to stick with GNOME because it’s what I’m comfortable with.

And what you - as a user - are comfortable with is the most important
thing. The only real way to find out is to try them both.

> Also, I know that WINE allows you to run windows applications. Would
> this include photoshop cs4 and microsoft office 2007?

It could, depending on the version of WINE - if you visit http://
www.winehq.org and look in the AppDB link, that’ll tell you about support
for specific Windows applications.

Jim

Jim Henderson
openSUSE Forums Moderator

#3

And far more secure and far more stable. :slight_smile:

I’m a little confused with all the Gnome and KDE chatter that I see in refrence to Linux in general.

Linux doesn’t use the same model as Windows, where the desktop is heavily integrated with the OS, so much so that the average user doesn’t make the distinction.

Linux is the kernel. It’s the backbone. On top of that, you can choose to run a terminal, if you want text-mode only. Or, you can choose to run a desktop. KDE and Gnome are simply the most popular; there are actually several others.

hendersj recommended Gnome; my vote is for KDE. As a former Windows user, I prefer it. But like hendersj, I freely admit that this is personal taste and encourage you to try both.

Also, my current machine’s spec’s are;
-2.40GHz Intel Pentium 4 Processor.
-512MB of ram.
-With onboard graphics and sound.

The latest mature/stable release is Opensuse 11.1, and it should run fine on that. Be warned that if you have NVidia or ATI graphics, you may need to install a vendor-supplied driver to get 3D effects. Suse makes this easy for you; if this turns out to be your case, simply post back here with your video specs and someone will help.

Also, I know that WINE allows you to run windows applications. Would this include photoshop cs4 and microsoft office 2007?

Go to the Wine site (WineHQ - Run Windows applications on Linux, BSD, Solaris and Mac OS X) for the app compatibility list. And there’s a mature, stable alternative to Wine nowadays: virtualization. You can install Opensuse as your primary OS, add a virtualization system (I use virtualbox), and then install Windows into a virtual “sandbox.” That way, you can simply run Windows in Linux without far less worry about compatibility.

The only drawback in your case is that you’d almost certainly have to increase your RAM. 512K is kindof skimpy for virtualization (each virtual “box” will need its own chunk of RAM – essentially the same amount that the OS would need if running on its own, and that subtracts from the RAM available for Linux).

Any insight onto this would be greatly appriciated as SuSE appears to be a rather powerful OS.

And remember, Linux is created by thousands of programmers around the world, many (most!) of whom are unpaid volunteers. That’s what makes it REALLY amazing.

#4

PS - I don’t know what’s up with the forum software tonight, it won’t let me edit my post.

Don’t forget that you could simply dual-boot, if you only use these Windows apps occasionally. By default, if you’re installing OpenSuse on a Windows system, it’ll set it up so that you can choose the OS when you restart the computer.

#5

On Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:16:02 +0000, smpoole7 wrote:

> hendersj recommended Gnome; my vote is for KDE.

Well, technically, I didn’t recommend either; I stated what I use but
suggested the OP try both. :slight_smile:

Jim

–
Jim Henderson
openSUSE Forums Moderator

#6

On Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:26:01 +0000, smpoole7 wrote:

> PS - I don’t know what’s up with the forum software tonight, it won’t
> let me edit my post.

10 minute limit probably biting you - edits have to be done within 10
minutes or they can’t be made, same as always. :slight_smile:

Jim

–
Jim Henderson
openSUSE Forums Moderator

#7

XFCE is also very popular for older / slower machines.

One thing worth noting is that you can have several graphical environments. In fact I’d say it’s quite normal (wouldn’t like to put a figure on it) to install a backup window manager in case of problems - you don’t always want to be browsing the internet from a terminal to work out how to fix your desktop environment.

There’s nothing stopping you installing KDE and gnome on the same system, and choosing between them when you log in. You might end up with a bit of extra desktop / menu clutter (applications from one will appear in the other), but I’ve not known it to actually outright stop things working.

#8

RAM indeed is a bit on the low side. My experience is that every extra GB of RAM will pay off.

If that’s trouble for you, there’s also Enlightenment. Runs super on an old machine with only 128 MB of RAM.

#9

Before installing, you could test out openSUSE with Gnome, KDE, Xfce and Enlightenment via Live CDs.

A live CD is a CD that allows you to boot the operating system, test it, without installing anything on your hard drive.

Now it IS a bit limiting, as often one needs to custom configure after installing Linux, and that is more difficult with a liveCD. In particular, often with a proprietary graphic driver, one can obtain desktop effects and performance that is impossible with an openSUSE liveCD

… still, a live CD is worth trying.

Take a look here: Live CD - openSUSE

As you can see there are many live CDs …

For testing, I recommend you try:

  • official openSUSE Gnome
    live CD: http://software.opensuse.org/ [note your 512 MB RAM will make this slow. If I was a Gnome fan (which I am not) this is likely what I would recommend]
  • official openSUSE KDE-4.1.3
    live CD: forget it. :slight_smile: … its a bit unstable.
  • openSUSE community KDE-4.3
    live CD: “KDE Four Live” CD](http://home.kde.org/~binner/kde-four-live/) <<< this is my current favourite … recommended but, note your current 512 MB RAM will make this slow]
  • openSUSE community KDE-3.5.10
    live CD: Carlos Gonçalves: Unofficial KDE 3.5 Live CD for openSUSE 11.1 <<< this is my second choice … recommended but, note your current 512 MB RAM will make this slow
  • xfce
    project live CD - Xfce Live CD - openSUSE - the problem here is they have not yet packaged for openSUSE-11.1 … only 11.0 … hence while it will likely run better on your 512MB of RAM, it is an older openSUE version
    *]SUSE On Active Diet (SOAD) with openSUSE-11.1 and **Enlightenment **desktop: http://sda.scwlab.com/soad_linux.html This should give you the best performance on your 512MB PC. The disadvantage is not as many users actually use Enlightenment, so support may be a bit more difficult to get for any desktop issues.
#10

I was rushed putting out that last post …

I wanted to remind you, not to forget to check out our openSUSE new users stickie: NEWBIES - Suse-11.1 Pre-installation – PLEASE READ - openSUSE Forums

#11

Thank you everyone for your detailed feedback to help me.

I attempted to run the Gnome LiveCD this morning and the screen started flashing different pixilated colours. It’s hard to explain what it looks like, but if any of you are fimilair with photoshop technique “pixel stretch” it was very similar to that.

I’ll download the Enlighten LiveCD and try and run that tonight. I really appriciate all of you helping me choose the best openSUSE for me to try. :slight_smile:

Unfortinatly extending my RAM is not quite viable for me as I only have a compaq desktop pc. However, I am building a new PC soon which will more-than-likely host a version of openSUSE if I find it to my liking. :slight_smile:

#12

If you have a SiS videocard that might actually be a bug that I reported.
https://bugzillafiles.novell.org/attachment.cgi?id=295421
This is what it looks like for me, same photo is present in the bug report.

If you’re getting the same ‘effect’ then you may want to try openSUSE 11.0 as it does work properly with a SiS videocard. Hopefully my bug report will get it fixed in (the now still beta) openSUSE 11.2.