source:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/openSUSE-10-3-Available-Now-67678.shtml
The long awaited, award winning openSUSE 10.3 has been released today
with everything a user needs to get started with Linux. It includes a
flexible Linux-Windows dual-boot configuration, Microsoft Office file
compatibility with the latest OpenOffice.org office productivity suite
and enhanced multimedia support. What could an ex-Windows – and future
Linux – user want more? Now openSUSE is based on Linux kernel 2.6.22,
with a large variety of fresh open-source applications for desktops,
servers and software development.
You can choose between the newest versions of Gnome and KDE desktop
environments, openSUSE comes with both of them. AppArmor is the solution
that protects your operating system and applications against threats
like viruses, malware and attacks. If you are interested in
virtualization, openSUSE comes with the latest virtualization software
like Xen 3.1 and VirtualBox 1.5. The "1-Click Install" feature that
gives users easy access to many more software packages residing on the
openSUSE Build Service appears for the first time in openSUSE 10.3.
Without any further introduction, let’s have an in-depth look at the
highlights to be found in this new release of openSUSE:
_Adding Extra Software Repositories During Installation_
After the distribution's setup, YaST will offer three additional
repositories: "oss", "non-oss" and "debug". "Oss" contains the entire
FTP distribution but with more packages than the ones included on the
CDs. In "non-oss" you will find software that's under a proprietary or
non-open source license. If you need debuginfo packages for debugging
your programs, you will find them in the 3rd repository, in "debug".
_Localization support on separate media CDs_
The 1-CD installation media comes with language support for American
English only. Other languages are available separately, in the "oss"
repository.
_YaST comes with Gtk and Qt Front-Ends_
The new YaST gtk front-end runs on the GNOME desktop, and YaST Qt
front-end on the others. Both front-ends are similar, with only one
exception: the gtk software management module, which differs very much
from the Qt port. If you want to start the Qt version on the GNOME
desktop, you should:
- open the /etc/sysconfig/yast2 file as root
- after this, change WANTED_GUI="auto" to WANTED_GUI="qt". Save and exit.
- to start the gtk flavor of YaST, do as above but change
WANTED_GUI="auto" to WANTED_GUI="gtk".
_AppArmor 2.1_
AppArmor's syntax now can distinguish folders from files and some minor
syntax bugs were fixed.
_Gaim was replaced by Pidgin_
The Gaim multi-protocol instant messenger was replaced with Pidgin.
_KDE and GNOME are installed in new locations_
Gnome is installed from now under the /usr file system hierarchy and KDE
4 now follows. KDE 3 will remain in /opt for compatibility reasons.
_libata powers now your IDE devices_
Libata uses /dev/sda for the first harddisk, instead of /dev/hda. If you
have a disk with more than 15 partitions, they will not be handled
automatically at this moment. You can disable libata support by booting
the kernel with the following parameter:
hwprobe=-modules.pata
After this, you will see all your 15+ partitions.
_Encrypted partitions are easy to setup_
The back-end technology of boot.crypto has been changed from cryptoloop
to dm-crypt. Any old /etc/cryptotab will work with no modifications on
openSUSE 10.3. Additionally, /etc/crypttab (notice the missing 'o' in
the file name) is from now on supported, and LUKS volumes receive the
same treatment. You can manually enable boot.crypto, which is no longer
enabled by default, by using the following command:
_chkconfig boot.crypto on_
It is still possible to use cryptoloop via losetup and mount.
_Enabling Quota support has never been easier_
YaST allows you, from this moment on, to configure quota for user
accounts from it. To enable quota support, you should activate the
"Enable quota support" check box in the fstab options when partitioning
in the first stage of the setup. In the second stage, the advanced
options for user accounts provide the quota module where the rules can
be set.
_Improved Zeroconf service_
This service is now provided by the Avahi stack instead of
mDNSResponder. However, mDNSResponder and howl compatibility libraries
continue to be available.
_Support for older Intel graphics chips_
Older Intel graphics chips are supported by two drivers, "i810" and
"intel". The last one is the default in openSUSE 10.3 due to the high
demand for features like native mode setting (no longer VESA BIOS based)
and RANDR 1.2 support.
_Improved support for Intel Wireless Link WiFi drivers_
Two drivers are available in openSUSE 10.3, the traditional ipw3945
which is installed by default and the new iwlwifi driver as an
alternative offer. If you want to remove the traditional one, you can do
that in YaST ->"Software" -> "Software Management" and take it out.
After this, iwlwifi will take its place.
_More tools to help you burn your CDs and DVDs_
The cdrecord package is no more a part of this distribution. It was
replaced by the new wodim, genisoimage and icedax packages from the
cdrkit project. They can be used to record data or audio CDs on a CD
recorder that complies with the Orange Book standard. For writing DVDs
you can use growisofs. The graphical front-ends handle this transparently.
_Here at Softpedia, we tested the KDE CD of openSUSE 10.3. Our first
impressions were:_
- the distribution is really fast!
- it comes with a lot of eye-candy, for your viewing pleasure
- it includes the power of the Kickoff menu
- each daily task can be covered by the range of applications contained
by openSuSE
- the installation is the same old wizard since SuSE 9.3, composed of
two parts, the basic setup and after that the system configuration,
where you can set up every piece of hardware from your machine.
- applications such as GIMP and OpenOffice benefit from custom
splash-screens created especially for this release.
- the most important thing is that KDE 4 Beta 2 runs alongside KDE
3.5.7, so don't be alarmed when you see programs that are part of KDE 4.0.
All in all, if you used openSUSE before, you are going to love this new
release, especially the KDE version.
*_You can download openSUSE 10.3 right now from Softpedia._*
http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Operating-Systems/Linux-Distributions/openSUSE-Linux-3842.shtml
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