| OpenSUSE 11.2 poised for release |
Oct. 01, 2009
 The OpenSUSE Project has released the last milestone of OpenSUSE Linux before an anticipated final release in November. OpenSUSE 11.2 Milestone 8 (M8) features numerous bug fixes, Linux kernel 2.6.31, improved partioning, social networking clients, and new versions of packages including GNOME 2.28, says the project.
Launched in 2005 by Novell as a community version of SUSE Linux, OpenSUSE had its last major release in June 2008 with version 11.0, which was issued in final form in June 2008. Version 11.0 featured 200 new features, a redesigned installer, KDE 4.0, GNOME 2.2.2, and the Compiz Fusion 3D window manager.
OpenSUSE 11.2 partioning improvements in YAST
(Click to enlarge)
Last December, the project released version 11.1, introducing a new license that eases redistribution, and the debut of the OpenSUSE Build Service, which improved collaboration and transparency among contributors. The build service has been adopted by the Linux Foundation, as well as its official new charge, the newly released netbook distribution, Moblin v2.0.
Goblin emerges for Moblin
OpenSUSE.org has now released a Moblin v2.0 version of OpenSUSE. Informally called "Goblin 1Click," the netbook-oriented release is now available in an image based on OpenSUSE 11.1, from a link at the end of the story.
Linux 2.6.31: better, but "bloated"
Many of the OpenSUSE 11.2 changes stem from recent releases of the Linux kernel that have followed the 2.6.27 kernel offered by OpenSUSE 11.1. The new version adopts Linux 2.6.31, which was released several weeks ago. Most notably the new kernel adds support for the faster USB 3.0 standard. It also makes various speed and memory improvements, enhancements to the Btrfs file-system, and offers improved WiFi support, among other changes.
The Linux 2.6.31 news is not all rosy, however, as Linus Torvalds used the recent LinuxCon conference to announce that "Linux is bloated," and is "huge and scary now," according to several sources, including CNET. The Linux creator was also said to have noted that, "We are definitely not the streamlined, hyper-efficient kernel I envisioned when I started writing Linux." (For that matter, neither are the Linux users.)
OpenSUSE 11.1 and Gnome 2.28
Drawing from recent Linux kernel releases, OpenSUSE 11.2 offers partitioning and filesystems enhancements, as well as the coronation of ext4 as the default file system, and early support for the Btrfs filesystem. Other OpenSUSE improvements include interface enhancements to the YaST partioner interface (see image above), improved package management and mirror handling, and Zypper command line enhancements. OpenSUSE 11.2 also offers improved social networking clients, with GNOME's Gwibber supporting Facebook, Twitter and Identi.ca., and KDE's Choqok client supporting Twitter and Identi.ca.
Gnome 2.28 desktop in OpenSuSE 11.2
(Click to enlarge)
The latest Milestone 8 (M8) build also provides the final GNOME 2.28RC desktop (see image above), which was released about a week ago. GNOME 2.28 offers a new windowing and UI called Sonar, and adds various fixes and usability enhancements, including an improved contact interface in the Empathy messaging client, a new geolocation feature, and a switch from Gecko to WebKit for the Epiphany web browser. There is also a new Bluetooth module, as well as a preview version of GNOME 3.0's new task-oriented GNOME Shell interface, which should arrive next spring.
As an alternative, OpenSUSE 11.2 offers the KDE 4.3 desktop, which was released in August. The 4.3 release offers features such as an improved Kmail application, as well as Firefox installed as the default web browser. There are also numerous improvements to the Application Development Framework and the Plasma Desktop Shell and "plasmoids" (see below).
KDE 4.3 desktop in OpenSUSE 11.2, showing improved plasmoids
(Click to enlarge)
Other updated packages in OpenSUSE 11.2 M8 include:- OpenOffice.org 3.1.1
- OpenSUSE 11.2 theming
- PulseAudio 0.9.17
- Samba 3.4.1
- Postgresql 8.4.1
Availability
OpenSUSE 11.2 Milestone 8 is available to download for 32 and 64 bit x86 systems as a DVD or LiveCD image, here, with the final release expected in November. A broad overview of OpenSUSE 11.2 may be found here, and the M8 announcement should be here.
The Goblin release (the Moblin version of OpenSUSE 11.1) may be found here.
The CNET story on Linux Torvalds LinuxCon comments may be found here.
-- Eric Brown
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