ubuntu to opensuse

English Open Chat
1

I’m a ubuntu user (just happen to be…not a fanatic devotee or anything…not here to start any wars) and I like it but I’ve gotten kinda bored with gnome and want to try out kde. kubuntu didn’t exactly cut it…couldn’t even connect to wifi.
So anyhoo I’ve been hearing opensuse is great for kde and I have two questions before I install it…

ubuntu(with gnome) vs opensuse (with kde)
I’m having a pretty tough semester so far and possibly because of it I reeaaally feel like trying out something new (to me) like kde and opensuse. Is it going to be an upward struggle for a ubuntu user like me? I really don’t think I can spend too time on troubleshooting and “figuring out” much stuff until christmas break. Is opensuse good to go out of the box like ubuntu?
I know I can just dual boot or get rid of it if things don’t work out but I usually suck at prioritizing and will probably end up spending the entire night before exams and assignments working out the kinks in opensuse and kde.
For eg…I would need a good package manager and I’ve only heard good things about yast…but is it as good as apt-get from the command line? And are the repos comparable to the ubuntu ones? And does the OS require a lot of initial setup overall?

11.1 vs. 11.2
Say I decided to do it…would 11.1 be a more stable choice than 11.2? I suffered from ubuntu 9.10’s initial problems slightly (like with eclipse) but I’m used to ubuntu and fixing them weren’t a big issue. Will 11.2 be harder to handle than 11.1 for a new user…especially since it’s like a day old or whatever?

That’s basically it. I hope you guys can provide some insight. Thanx a lot…appreciate it.

2

In short.
11.2 is released, so why should it be less stable. Admittedly it may need some bugs ironing out.

Wireless may be as much an issue in SUSE as in Kub*
But for me it’s just fine. I suspect it’s more to do with the connections you are trying to access.

YaST is has a great Software Manager section. It’s really easy.

Here are some helps for you:
NEW Users - Suse-11.2 Pre-installation – PLEASE READ - openSUSE Forums

11.2 Install Slideshow with Tips - openSUSE Forums

Multi-media and Restricted Format Installation Guide - openSUSE Forums

3

Just as you I am a former (k)ubuntu user and not so happy with their KDE implementation. Since this summer I was looking around for another KDE distribution where everything works as I expect it would work. I ended up with OpenSuSE 11.1 and it felt good. As of the milestones I switched to 11.2 and I only can recommend to go for 11.2! Best desktop experience I ever had and the latest KDE!

OpenSuSE has the Live CD for any version you would like to try. It is not necessary to install it on you harddisk to catch the “OpenSuSE” fever. If you want to install, the installer makes it easy to install next to existing OS.

The most important applications for even better desktop experience you can install via the “one-click” installers. This is even more easy as in (k)ubuntu and takes less time. For other applications you either can use yast (really powerfull) or zypper (comparable to apt-get).

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I have used openSuSE since its beginning and have been satisfied with their KDE implementation, except for yast2 (the graphical version of yast), because it required root password. I update a lab with yast from a konsole via sudo and use ‘text graphics’ - very fast, very easy.

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Just give it a try - Two hints however:
>>> Yast -> software repositories -> add community repos!! Sudo yum install program is not so far different from apt-get :wink:

>>> Change (sudo kwrite or so) in fstab
“/dev/disk/foo/bar …fmask=133,dmask=022…” to
“…fmask=113,dmask=002…”
gives users instead of root write access to ntfs partitions :-))

EDIT: This post is written on a 11.2 running in a VirtualBox in Ubuntu 9.04 >>hehe!

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I think that SuSE does just about the about the best job with KDE out of the distros that offer a choice of GUIs. So, if there is any chance of you liking KDE, SuSE (OpenSuSE, SLED) is about your best shot.

That said, you shouldn’t overlook the fact that you can install several GUIs in parallel and choose at login time.

and I have two questions…I reeaaally feel like trying out something new (to me) like kde and opensuse.

Err, would not dream to comment on the best timing for you, but I will note that you wouldn’t lose all that much by waiting 'till the end of the semester. I point this out in full knowledge that you are unlikely to take any notice, but at least it stops it from being my fault…

Is it going to be an upward struggle for a ubuntu user like me?

No. There will be stuff to learn, but it won’t be a massive amount.

For eg…I would need a good package manager and I’ve only heard good things about yast…but is it as good as apt-get from the command line? And are the repos comparable to the ubuntu ones? And does the OS require a lot of initial setup overall?

On *buntu, I mostly use synaptic and I still think that yast is a teensy bit clunky in comparison, particularly if you go over the top in adding any and every repo. But then, yast is a ‘one stop shop’ for all sys admin and does more.

The only time that I’ve had much in the way of post-install clean up to do was an installation of 11.1. Unusually, on this laptop install, it was an upgrade rather than a clean install and I think that was to blame…but it may have been the laptop hardware or even 11.1.

Will 11.2 be harder to handle than 11.1 for a new user…especially since it’s like a day old or whatever?

My guess: No.

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I personally think that the originally configured repos in ubuntu has way more software in them… But for me openSuse is the better choice (Linux is about choice)…

After I added some repos (packman,kde community and such) I feel suse has everything i need and dont need…

8

If it helps any I have just changed over in the last few days using the Gnome desktop.

I used Ubuntu of and on for the better part of the last two years. Like you, not a devotee or anything. Just worked well enough.

I’m now on Opensuse 11.2 64-bit and really like it quite a bit. The only thing that I wish for is fast Yast package management. But there are other alternatives from what I’ve seen like zypper and what not.

Give it a go and see what you think. It’s fast, intuitive and I haven’t regretted it yet.