| OpenSUSE rev's license, build system |
Dec. 18, 2008
 The Novell-sponsored openSUSE Project announced the availability of version 11.1 of its open-source openSUSE Linux distribution. Version 11.1 offers a new license that eases redistribution, and it's the first version developed with the openSUSE Build Service, which improves collaboration and transparency among contributors, says openSUSE.
(Click for larger view of openSUSE's KDE desktop with special effects)
Version 11.1 builds on the June release of version 11.0 with more than 230 new features, says the project. Improvements have been made to YaST, OpenOffice.org, Liberation fonts, and openJDK, and the distribution's desktop environments have been updated to GNOME 2.24.1 and KDE 4.1.3, respectively.
Announced in July, the openSUSE Build Service 1.0 is billed as "collaboration system" that enables developers contributing to the project to work together on Linux packages or solution stacks. The service is said to package source code for several popular distributions, and cross-compile it for a variety of architectures. OpenSUSE Build Service incorporates build scripts aimed at building and packaging software in "clean and safe" chrooted build environments. It also enables "greater transparency in the development process and additional contributions from the community," says the project.
The new version also comes with a simpler license that eliminates the EULA agreement and removes software that "previously made it difficult to redistribute openSUSE," says the project. States the new license: "With the potential exception of certain firmware files, the license terms for the components permit you to copy, modify, and redistribute the component, in both source code and binary code forms."
 
GNOME desktop (left) and GNOME version of F-Spot, showing new zoom feature
(Click on either to enlarge)
GNOME 2.24.1 improvements include an enhanced Nautilus file manager, simplified managing and editing of photos with F-Spot (see image above), and enhanced synchronization with Banshee and mobile devices, says the project. The new GNOME also enhances the Pidgin IM client and the Totem movie player. The optional KDE 4.1.3 install is said to offer improvements to Plasma, the Dolphin file manager, the KDE-PIM suite, and Marble integration with OpenStreetMap. The "Kwin" desktop effects (see image at top) are now enabled by default.
Additional updates to openSUSE 11.1 are said to include:- New licensing and Build Service (see above)
- Linux kernel 2.6.27.7, which adds support for a number of new devices, as well as improved video camera support
- Nomad remote desktop
- Improvements to the YaST sysadmin and installation suite, including an improved partitioner, new printer module, and new system security module
- Latest versions of applications like Firefox 3.0.4, OpenOffice.org 3.0, GNOME 2.24.1, KDE 4.1.3 + KDE 3.5.10, and Mono 2.0.1
- OpenOffice 3.0 Novell Edition, which includes a word processor, presentation creator, spreadsheet creator, and claimed read/write with all Microsoft Office files
- Enhanced software management via updated Zypper/Libzypp utilities
OpenSUSE is a community-maintained version of SUSE. It was launched in August of 2005 by Novell, shortly after rival Red Hat launched Fedora. Both community distributions serve as a kind of staging and testing ground for new features. Whereas Red Hat controls Fedora, Novell last Fall allowed the OpenSUSE Project an independent board. Major features of openSUSE 11.0 included a redesigned installer and the Compiz Fusion 3D window manager.
Stated Andreas Jaeger, Platform director for openSUSE, "As the first release created entirely in the openSUSE Build Service, it is a major milestone for the project. We can now work transparently with all contributors to openSUSE, allowing us to achieve great things as we work on future releases of openSUSE."
Availability
OpenSUSE 11.1 is available for free download, here, and more information on the product may be found here. A retail box version is also available for $60 from Novell, here. The commercial release of openSUSE, includes 90 days of installation support, commercial applications not on the main DVD, and a printed manual for new Linux users.
-- Eric Brown
Do you have comments on this story?
Talkback here
NOTE: Please post your comments regarding our articles using the above link. Be sure to use this article's title as the "Subject" in your posts. Before you create a new thread, please check to see if a discussion thread is already running on the article you plan to comment on. Thanks!
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
Approaching the Linux Desktop
The purpose of this paper is to help organizations evaluate the Linux desktop against their own enterprise needs and discover what benefits the Linux desktop might bring to their organizations.
Migrating To Linux: Application Challenges and Solutions
Several solutions exist to help organizations migrate in an orderly fashion from Windows to Linux desktops. This paper establishes the characteristics of an ideal cross-platform solution and reviews these alternatives in light of this ideal standard. The paper takes a closer look at the pros and cons of various solutions and outlines the business benefits that can be achieved.
Linux Advantages: Publicly Available Information on Linux Software
This paper offers a brief summary of readily-available Linux information to help businesses sort out this widely misunderstood operating system.
Top 5 Strategies for Managing Linux
Despite continuous evolution in the manageability of Linux, a 2006 survey cited manageability concerns as a top reason why organizations are hesitating to adopt Linux. Levanta believes Linux can be as manageable, if not more so, than other operating systems by following key strategies. These strategic recommendations were developed from experiences in numerous customer environments, both large and small.
Why Choose Novell for Linux?
This paper outlines the benefits of switching to the Linux platform and choosing Novell as a high-performance, enterprise solution.
Enterprise Linux Selection Guide
Considering moving your enterprise to the Linux operating system? Since there are so many similar versions, choosing the right one can be tough. This paper offers a clear process to help you make an informed decision and get the features, support, and cost that are right for your business and technical needs.
Overcoming Challenges in Managing Linux
Levanta has created a new administration model with innovative technology that breaks down the barriers to making the most of Linux systems. This paper will provide an in-depth look at the workings of Levanta’s product, the first Linux appliance of its kind.
SUSE Linux Enterprise 10 for Retail Businesses
Discover why major retailers have switched to SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop in the back office. SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 is a low-cost desktop that offers a complete set of productivity applications and interoperates seamlessly with the other Windows, Macintosh and UNIX desktops in your store.
Moving to a Linux Desktop
Migrating from Windows to Linux on the desktop can be a substantial undertaking because it has the potential for touching -- and perhaps disrupting -- every user in your organization. Unlike a data center (server and infrastructure) migration that is largely transparent to users, the cultural and administrative transitions and environment readiness required to support a Linux desktop migration are extensive.
Seven Good Reasons to Exchange Exchange
This paper describes seven compelling reasons why you should switch from Exchange to Scalix.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed
