In this week's StartX files, Brian Proffitt takes a quick look
at SuSE 7.2 and asks whether this latest version, arriving so soon
after 7.1, is a necessary purchase for SuSE veterans. Also in this
week's column: Brian will be revisiting last year's "Word to the
Wise" series with an update on word processors for Linux. The list
he'll be covering is in this week's column, so make sure to check
it out for your favorite.
"First, I wanted to give a brief review of the latest
Linux installation I have put on my computer: SuSE Linux 7.2. I
realize that I could do a full review for Distribution Watch on
LinuxPlanet, but I have a very good reason why this is not the case
this go-around: I am genuinely unsure of why this version exists.
I am not trying to bash SuSE here, nor am I trying to give fuel
to the fire for the committed SuSE-bashers. [Disclaimer: SuSE has
used a quote from a previous review I did for them on the packaging
for SuSE Linux 7.2. I was not compensated in any way for this
blurb, but they did do it with my full permission.] But no one was
more surprised than I when the box for SuSE came in the mail last
week except my fellow editor Michael Hall, with whom I was speaking
on the phone when the delivery came. I believe his first comment
was "really?"
SuSE Linux 7.1 made some significant strides in tightening up
the installation routine and packaging the KDE desktop environment
into a slick little GUI that they are now calling the SuSE Desktop.
It got the 2.4 kernel out and other goodies. But it did all of this
in March. Why a new boxed set release a mere three months later,
especially from a company that publicly admits they lose money on
shipping software to the United States? It sure puzzled my
noodle."
