Today, SuSE Linux has announced the availability of the latest
version of SuSE Linux for October 7th.
Blending operating system and applications, SuSE’s system
assistant, YaST2 (Yet another Setup Tool), is the core element and
administration center of this comprehensive package for first-time
and experienced Linux users. YaST2 now provides a module for the
configuration of special hardware components such as joysticks.
Even output devices such as touch screens, vertical LCDs, 3D
solutions, and multi-head systems can be configured easily with
SaX2 (SuSE advanced X configuration).
The new system profile manager, SCPM (SuSE Configuration Profile
Management), facilitates the easy management of multiple system
configurations. SuSE Linux users who commute between different
locations, can now use local peripherals such as printers or
scanners with a single click. Laptop users will also value the
improved wireless LAN support that can be easily configured with
YaST2. Data encryption with WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) provides
maximum security in wireless LANs. CUPS (Common Unix Printing
System) is implemented as the default printing system, since its
wide range of drivers enables the flexible and precise utilization
of all common printers. The expanded SuSE Firewall 2, a crypto file
system that protects laptop and hard disk data even in the event of
theft, GNU Privacy Guard (GPG encryption) as well as proven
security technologies such as OpenSSH, PAM, and IPsec are part of
the standard equipment of SuSE Linux 8.1.
OpenOffice.org 1.0.1 offers TrueType support and improved import
filters. Thus, mature utilities for text processing, spreadsheets,
and presentations are available to users without any licensing
fees. Once again, SuSE offers the latest version of the superb KDE
desktop environment, KDE 3.0.3, that appears in the innovative
“ceramics style”. Users can customize the look and feel of the
desktop environment according to their personal preferences. The
new GNOME 2.0 desktop is also included. Major highlights for
multimedia fans include GPhoto 2.1, an application that transfers
images from the digital camera directly to the hard disk, where
they can be comfortably edited with the image processing
application Gimp. The Ogg Vorbis 1.0 encoder and player provides
today’s most advanced audio compression tool that even exceeds the
quality of the common MP3 and MP3 Pro technology. In addition,
simple, reliable and rapid CD burning is possible with the new tool
K3b. The improved Windows emulator “wine” enables the utilization
of countless Windows applications in Linux.
In addition to common media such as CD-ROM or DVD, SuSE’s new
“Software Installer” allows installation based on ftp- and
http-servers, local directories, or network drives. Software
Installer checks and controls complex dependencies of different
program packages before their installation, thus ensuring maximum
system stability.
SuSE delivers the SuSE Linux 8.1 operating system with kernel
2.4.19 and gcc 3.2, representing the latest Linux technology.
Optimized Linux kernels provide maximum performance for Pentium 4
processors and AMD processors. The powerful boot manager, GRUB
(Grand Unified Boot Loader), substitutes the Linux-Loader, Lilo, as
default boot manager. Powertweak allows Linux professionals to
modify kernel parameters comfortably in order to maximize the
performance of their systems. The latest versions of central Linux
tools such as the web server Apache 2.0.40 and Samba 2.2.5, the
file and print server for Windows networks, are also included.
Moreover, with ReiserFS, JFS, XFS, and Ext3, four journaling file
systems are available.
SuSE Linux 8.1 includes revised manuals with new chapters about
digital cameras, the printing system CUPS, and the GNOME desktop
environment. SuSE Linux 8.1 will be available from software
retailers beginning in October. The recommended retail price for
SuSE Linux 8.1 Personal (3 CDs, User Guide, 60 days of installation
support) is US$39.95, SuSE Linux 8.1 Professional (7 CDs, 1 DVD,
User Guide and Administration Guide, 90 days of installation
support) is US$79.95, and the price for SuSE Linux 8.1 Professional
Update is US$49.95.