i am new to linux.i am using linux mint 10.my friends said opensuse is good for home use.i am downloading the opensuse 11.4.iso.my question is why is opensuse better than other linux distros?
Hello
openSUSE is better because is more flexible than other distros, it is more usable than other. And has better device’s support. And more smart solutions.
I think most Linux distributions, especially the popular ones, have a lot going for them. In many respects as to which Linux version one chooses is a ‘coin toss’, although there are factors which can influence the decision (so it is not entirely a coin toss).
Lets take some of the popular distributions (ALL of which I think is good) :
- Ubuntu
- most popular - they are a debian based distribution, and they try harder IMHO than most distributions to make the users interface experience easier. Hence they have made some decisions that ‘long in the tooth’ users do not like, but many new users flock to this Linux distribution. And having been there many do not leave. Because Ubuntu have the largest distribution, they tend to encounter more cases of Linux general problems than other distributions. But when they fix a problem they apply on their distribution and are not as fast as other distributions (such as Red Hat/Fedora nor openSUSE) in sending their fixes upstream to be implemented for all distributions. For THAT reason (and some others), I don’t use Ubuntu. - Red Hat / Fedora
- Red Hat (besides openSUSE/SLED/SLES with Novell) is the only major Linux distribution that is actually making money. I really really like this distro. I don’t use it because I have more friends/acquaintances (over the Internet) in openSUSE and because Fedora tends to be ‘more cutting edge’ in what they offer than what I like. - Linux Mint
- like Ubuntu, Linux Mint is another ‘debian’ based distribution. It gets high ‘hits’ on distrowatch and it appears to be VERY popular (but I confess my experiences with it were never good). Plus in truth, even if my experiences were good, and EVERY other indication suggests its a GREAT distro, I would not switch to it because of reasons specific to openSUSE. Linux Mint purportedly focuses on usability and ease of installation, particularly for users with no previous Linux experience. If one does not have a friend to help one, then this may be a good distro. Like Ubuntu, IMHO they have made some decisions that ‘long in the tooth’ users do not like, but if the distrowatch ‘hits’ are any indication (and they may not be) then many users like this Linux distribution - debian Linux
- Another GREAT distribution. Debian is known for relatively strict adherence to the Unix and free software philosophies as well as using collaborative software development and testing processes. It forms the basis for other distributions (such as Linux Mint and Ubuntu). Its likely NOT as user friendly as Ubuntu nor Linux Mint, but its possibly more flexible. - Arch Linux
- Arch Linux is a Linux distribution intended to be lightweight and simple. That does not IMHO mean ‘simple’ to use, as it is IMHO NOT a distribution for a 1st time Linux user with no Linux friends to guide one through its hoops and loops. It is a ‘rolling release’ type of Linux, which means its update structure is more continual, as opposed to incremental (where incremental is the approach that is more common in other distros). There are GREAT technical articles associated with Arch, but again, its not for beginners.
There are many other GREAT Linux distributions, such as Gentoo, PCLinuxOS, Mandriva, Sabayon, Slackware, etc … Plus there are more light weight distros such as Puppy Linux (good for old less capable hardware) and there are Linux distros which are superb as liveCDs such as Knoppix, Kanotix, Sidux, and there are Linux distros for especific functions such as Partitioning (Parted Magic, gparted liveCD).
I like and use openSUSE because:
-
superb 3rd party multimedia software
packaged by Packman packagers for openSUSE (possibly my main reason for keeping me on openSUSE - openSUSE’s community
(forums, IRC chat … ) - this is my #2 reason for using openSUSE. The community of support is INCREDIBLY important. I have many friends/acquaintances who I converse with about openSUSE, and hence I can not image changing away from this. - openSUSE’s excellent KDE implementation
(although having typed that I also like the LXDE and Gnome desktops (I’m not familiar with XFCE)) - openSUSE’s YaST configuration software - one either loves or hates YaST. I really like it although if I know the ‘command line’ way to do things I will often do it the command line way instead of using YaST. - potential of the new openSUSE Build Service and SUSE_Studio
- the openSUSE build service has meant MANY more applications are now packaged for openSUSE. SuSE Sudio has put the creation of one’s own openSUSE Linux variant/installation CD in the reach of MANY more people - openSUSE’s Free_and_Open_Source_Software
- this means one is free to use the software, free to give away the software, free to look at the software code, free to modify the software, and free to give away the modified software. This is very important to me.
In your case, if your friend are using Ubuntu, I would recommend Ubuntu !! If your friends are using Fedora, I would recommend Fedora !! If using Mandriva, I would recommend Mandriva !! What ever distro they are using, I would recommend. The reason being there is a synergy from all of your friendship group using the same Linux, that is not the same if you each forge in your own direction to a different Linux distro. If your friends are using openSUSE, then I would recommend openSUSE.
Note IMHO all these Linux distributions are good (including Linux Mint that you use now). But the community of support is so important, that if you know physical beings who you can chat with and exchange specific information with, for any new user THAT has to be the over riding consideration.
In my opinion, USE the Linux distribution that your friends use !!
Sorry oldcpu but I will disagree with you, because in my opinion openSUSE is better than other.
I do not agree that if a friend or everyone else has a specific distro must a new user uses it. For me it is like a copy. In my opinion the user must choose his/her linux distro and check it himself/herself.
Thank you.
We are all entitled to our opinions. I definitely do NOT agree with your views.
In over 13 years of using Linux, I have seen nothing to suggest openSUSE is more flexible than all other distros (debian for example is highly configurable and arguably more flexible than openSUSE). Nor I have I seen anything that indicates that openSUSE is more usable than all other distributions (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, PCLinuxOS are all distributions that focus on the user interface and and are arguable for basic functionality more useable than openSUSE). Many distributions have good device support (with Fedora, Sidux, Kanotix being more cutting edge arguably having BETTER device support). Many distributions offer smart solutions. OpenSUSE in my view is no better and no worse here.
The basic philosophy of open source free software (where all the solutions are shared) means the solutions of each distribution is shared for other distributions to use.
But my experience is each distro is NOT like a copy. The difference in repositories (where software is stored), the differences in software package management (in terms of rpm vs deb vs portage, etc … ) are absolutely MASSIVE. Plus the philosophy in the user interface can be SIGNIFICANT for new users.
Not every user knows HOW another Linux distribution does things. They are NOT copies.
If all ones friends are using distribution-A and one ignores them and uses distribution-B, the odds of getting GOOD advice is much much less likely. Anyone can give NONSENSE advice, but to get GOOD advice, real GOOD advice, is a different story and in my opinion the best way to get GOOD advice is to use the same distribution as ones friends.
Each Linux is NOT a copy of each other. If it was there would be no point.
Some of the reasons I like openSUSE is the superb KDE implementation, the openSUSE Build Service and the friendly community.
Summarizing: oldcpu’s post, for me the main items are the Community and Studio. I haven’t used Studio myself so far, yet seen many of it’s results (Reloaded, LiveCD’s, promodvds).
I Follow this conversation with interest and there are a lot of good opinions here.
But the main reasons one should choose one distro over another is (IMHO):
- will it do the work/play I desire it to do
- Does it’s Forums and other means of support represent good advice in a friendly not threatening atmosphere (We we all beginners at one time!)
- is it comfortable to me. Do I like the graphics, fonts and lay out in general. (I Like Open SuSE’s KDE better than the Rest.) that’s not to say that other’s may find it
unlikeable. - Does it actually challenge me to grow in my knowledge of the art of computing and learn new things.
Those are my top 4 reasons for choose a distro and at the moment SuSE meets or exceeds most of those things.
I’m not sure that it is better. I have used Slackware, Gentoo, RedHat (before Fedora existed), Ubuntu, and openSuSE. As best I can tell, you get the same linux with any of them.
I used Slackware for several years. It’s a bit more “do it yourself”. I didn’t last long with Gentoo - that seemed to require more effort than I wanted to spend.
With opensuse, I like the conservative approach (an extended testing period before a new version is released), and their update works very well. So I expect to continue using opensuse (I’ve been using it since 2004). However, if the new owners (Attachmate) screw up badly, then I’ll move on.
Sorry for confusion, but I do not mean that LINUX is a copy, but new users copy their friends and do not check which distro is useful for them. That’s I mean.
Linux users have to check themselves the distro who they want to install and do not drift, because a friend has Ubuntu for example.
I hope understand my post. I apologize because I am Greek and Greek men thing different.
Thank you.
vike4 wrote:
>
> i am new to linux.i am using linux mint 10.my friends said opensuse is
> good for home use.i am downloading the opensuse 11.4.iso.my question is
> why is opensuse better than other linux distros?
>
>
YaST
–
Alan
I had two options: either keep my windows-friends (because none of them used linux), or make new linux-friends. And I chose openSUSE. It sounds like a geeky commercial, but it’s somehow true. I didn’t find out about linux from my friends. I found about it from a neighbour, who used Mandrake
But I think oldcpu is right: what can you do without support? Linux is about the community, and I think I would have learned faster if my friends used Linux instead of bloody lazy Windows. Most of us learn about Linux from friends. I don’t think you necessarily copy them if you use the same distro. It’s about ‘helping your neighbour’, right? Or this was supposed to mean when it all started…
OpenSUSE is good because it’s flexible, I think that too. But I also use Ubuntu, which is easier to handle with for beginners.
I haven’t seen anything comparable to YaST or SUSE Studio in other distros. Also, having been a developer in C Sharp, openSUSE implements Mono better than anybody else. Not everyone views this as an advantage, but it was important in my transition to Linux.
I’ve noted Mandrake users claim Mandrake Control Center (MCC) provides functionality similar to YaST. Whether that is true I can not say but I would not be surprised if that is so.
I’ve read posts of Ubuntu users who like the Ubuntu Gnome Control Center implementation, but on my few boots to Ubuntu liveCDs, I don’t see the Ubuntu Gnome Control Center in the same ‘system’ category as YaST. Rather in my view the Ubuntu Gnome Control Center implementation would be closer to the openSUSE Gnome Control Center. YaST serves a different function IMHO.
Often these sort of comparisons end up being highly subjective, and other than senseless flaming, I’m often concerned little good comes from many of the forum comparisons of the tools. Its unfortunate.
If the flames could be left aside, then there may be some good come of the comparisons.
I don’t know / haven’t seen either.
WTF? The OP’s question is subject to opinion, and in my experience, I haven’t seen a tool similar or on par with YaST. If that’s considered flaming here, I must be lost on the rules.
Thus far this thread has been good. NO ONE has flamed.
My post was not saying anyone has flamed in this thread. Rather it was saying there have been flames in past threads.
Pardon me for inferring. Time for my coffee.
I like openSUSE because I don’t have to re-install the nVidia driver every time there’s a kernel update.
Seriously, this is one feature that no other distro has, and should be shouted from the rooftops - “openSUSE doesn’t force you back to the CLI after every kernel security patch!”
GeoBaltz wrote:
>
> I like openSUSE because I don’t have to re-install the nVidia driver
> every time there’s a kernel update.
>
It is the same in Linux Mint, so this is not special in openSUSE.
The reason I prefer openSUSE is the focus on KDE and of course Yast.
The original question in this thread makes not too much sense for me, it
depends on the user, his/her hardware, which applications are important and
if they are supported and so on which distro is the best for the individual
user.
IMHO there is no distro which is in an absolute sense better or worse than
another.
If you want to tweak your software a lot by recompiling it with different
settings for example, openSUSE is not the best, but gentoo or freebsd (which
is of course no linux) or arch linux or similar.
–
PC: oS 11.3 64 bit | Intel Core2 Quad Q8300@2.50GHz | KDE 4.6.2 | GeForce
9600 GT | 4GB Ram
Eee PC 1201n: oS 11.4 64 bit | Intel Atom 330@1.60GHz | KDE 4.6.0 | nVidia
ION | 3GB Ram
To add to my original answer the openSUSE Build Service rocks. I have my own local OBS set up in a sandbox environment and its really powerful. Also just like everyone else is saying YaST. Awesome tool. Has a ncurses interface as well so I can use it to configure my servers over ssh.