OpenSUSE 10.2 alpha 5 has been released. Important changes: Linux kernel 2.6.18, glibc 2.5, Python 2.5, installation allows comfortable LVM partitioning, setup RAID automatically via the BIOS (so called fake-RAID support) in the partitioner, GNOME 2.16.1 (most packages are updated), KDE 3.5.5 SVN version, and more.
Looking at the release announcement, I noticed there are several errors with Alpha 5, but they encourage its use anyways, and I would like to know why? I mean, why not fix the bugs already in the system, and then release it to the public to find new bugs? The release of a new alpha (which will create lots more bug reports) while there are outstanding bugs seems like it would create quite a logjam at Novell. Now, I have no idea how many programmers are currently working on 10.2, but it just does not make that much sense to me.
The release of a new alpha (which will create lots more bug reports) while there are outstanding bugs seems like it would create quite a logjam at Novell.
The alphas are milestone snapshots in a continuously evolving development process. They do not encourage people to use it UNLESS they are prepared to find the breakages and problems that occur, that’s the whole point of the alpha process. Releasing them as snapshots at particular points simplifies the process of installing for those interested in doing so.
The beta stage is where you would expect to find most of the major bugs quashed, since at that point the version freeze is in, no new packages will be added or upgraded, and everything is about dealing with the smaller bugs. Most users jump in at the beta stage and start trying it out then.
In fact, many distros don’t even bother with alphas. They simply have some sort of a development pool of unstable packages, and then hit a point where those packages are frozen and betas are put together.
As it is, I’ve been running 10.2 since Alpha 4, and upgrading from the factory repo regularly so I was actually on “Alpha 5” at some point last week. Against all common sense, I’m actually using it as my day-to-day system and while there are a couple of annoyances (the kdesu bug is a PITA), it’s extremely stable. Surprisingly, most of the problems I ran into were due to incorrectly packaged packages rather than software faults, and were usually resolved within a day or so. I’d go as far as to say 10.2 Alpha 5 is in better shape than the 10.1 I left. I’m also using KDE though, and from what I understand there have been considerably more problems with Gnome through the development process. Package management is much improved, although I yanked out the hideous zmd tool which still sucks and likely will for the rest of eternity.
So remember, this isn’t a release for the general public. It’s either for developers, users interested in being part of the troubleshooting process, or morons like me that irrationally insist on bleeding edge and have to deal with the inherent problems as they come up. There are absolutely no warantees or guarantees implied with development releases, so use at your own risk.
(the kdesu bug is a PITA),
This one also,suprisingly since 10.1 (retail) >
* zen-updater always shows patterns to update Bug #198379
Thanks for clarifying this for me.
When bugs are filed at https://bugzilla.novell.com they are catagorized depending on what version of the OS you’re using and what the specific issue is. Duplicate bugs are removed or at least labled as duplicate and subsequently closed.
As for the reason to announce an Alpha, Beta or RC release is to allow the public a chance to test not just how the OS runs on their hardware but also how applications they use work with the OS.
* Setup RAID automatically via the BIOS (so called fake-RAID support)
in the partitioner
Unfortunately it’s not working according to the existing (known) bugs list:
* The bootloader configuration on BIOS-based RAID (so-called FakeRAID)
systems fails. BUG #208076
So you can’t use it yet:(
Does anyone know of a Link where it might contain all of the setup how-tos for OpenSuSE, I have always ran RedHat/Fedora and was interested in switching because of the slick interface in this distro.
How to guide for SUSE Linux users for video playback support.
http://www.linuxforum.com/forums/index.php/topic,87247.0.html
thanks for the link
ALPHA
From website:
“Alpha indicates a very early release, which is probably quite buggy.”
So I wouldn’t complain about the bugs too much, but I would report them
metalinks (http://www.metalinker.org/) are available from http://download.packages.ro/metalink/opensuse/
Eventually they have listened and released DVD isos.
These days a blank DVD is much cheaper than 5 blank Cds and burning a DVD iso takes a fraction of the time and fuss you need if you burn 5 CD isos.
According to this buglist
http://en.opensuse.org/Bugs:Most_Annoying_Bugs#openSUSE_10.2_Alpha_…
there is a bug 210208:
“CD changing does not work, you cannot install with changing of physical media. (…) We will therefore release instead of CD images only a DVD iso!”
This is the real reason for not releasing CD isos.
Well, I hope they keep releasing DVD isos, at least if they want more beta testers.
Just try to keep in mind that bandwidth is not free and a few thousand people downloading one or two CDs is a lot cheaper than everyone downloading full DVDs.
That is true, but for a default KDE install you need 3 CDs.
In any case I don’t want them to stop releasing CD isos, I want them to release DVD isos *as well*
Anyone know how the fake-raid is supposed to work?
Will I be able to set up the raid in the bios and have it recognized by the OS? Say if I say two hard drives in RAID 1, will Suse Linux only see 1 when it comes to partitioning and booting?
That would be a pretty big deal. If this happens now, what has happened to make it possible? My thinking was that the drivers that made this possible were close source.
Is the software installation process still messed up in Suse? I am still running Suse 10 with an updated KDE, and have stayed away from SLED and Suse 10.1 because I can’t stand what they have done to what was already a functional and useful installer.
omg, the newest of the newest packages I see…
i hope this time they will release it when it is finished… 10.1 was released much too early imho.