DesktopOS.com has published a comprehensive review of SUSE LINUX 9.1, Personal and Professional editions. At over 11,000 words and with 40 screenshots, this is a most thorough SUSE review.
SUSE LINUX 9.1: The Complete Review
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
Follow me on Twitter @EugeniaLoli
” it [Yast] conspicuously lacks a user-friendly tool for installing additional applications.”
What is a user-friendly tool in the eye of the reviewer? Is he challenged or something?! Is clicking an RPM difficult? It choosing a package in Yast > Software difficult..?! Christ… this is crayziness…
That *is* a very thorough review. Hats off to the author. Very good job. I really felt like the author dove deep into the distro and found some good and bad things. From what I have read on the suse-linux-e mailing list for May and June, it does seem like 9.1 is a mixed bag. Some report excellent results while other have serious problems. Overall, it seems that 9.1 is not as stable as 9.0 was, but I think 9.1 is a real transition versions for SuSE since this is the first version that was wholly developed after the Novell purchase. It will be interesting to see what 9.2 is like.
From the article review:
— ‘Firstly, and most importantly, the multimedia experience provided by SUSE is sub-standard by modern standards. SUSE have thoughtfully included informative messages in multimedia applications and on their website to the effect that DVD playback is unavailable due to licensing restrictions’. —
Lack there of in multi-media support in an operating system such as SuSE Linux 9.1 Professional I find is utterly ridiculous. For any adoption of desktop Linux for the average home user to accept one will have to include multi-media support right from the box period. Paying $100 for a Linux distribution such as SuSE Linux and finding out you cannot play DVD’s is a huge disappointment. A company such as Novell should have enough influence to purchase a license and incorporate it into the operating system for the home user to enjoy DVD and other formats.
“Lack there of in multi-media support in an operating system such as SuSE Linux 9.1 Professional I find is utterly ridiculous. For any adoption of desktop Linux for the average home user to accept one will have to include multi-media support right from the box period. Paying $100 for a Linux distribution such as SuSE Linux and finding out you cannot play DVD’s is a huge disappointment. A company such as Novell should have enough influence to purchase a license and incorporate it into the operating system for the home user to enjoy DVD and other formats.”
I keep seeing this one mentioned everywhere. Hate to break this to you, but for $199 USD for MS Windows XP Home you do not get DVD playback either. You need to purchase seperate software in order to watch DVD’s. So for the cost of $89.95 USD I find it to be affordable myself.
OK, do you know the wealth of software you get for $100 compare to say Win XP Pro for example!?!?!?
So I understand the slight inconvenience of not having encrypted DVDs recognized out of the box (although it’s only an apt-get away using the Packman repository) I think “utterly ridiculous” is over the top
Good review.
But why is the computer icon in Suse shaped like an iMac (lamp model)? Haven’t seen Suse for Mac… or is the icon designer a Mac lover?
I keep seeing this one mentioned everywhere. Hate to break this to you, but for $199 USD for MS Windows XP Home you do not get DVD playback either. You need to purchase seperate software in order to watch DVD’s. So for the cost of $89.95 USD I find it to be affordable myself.
I hate to break this to you but Xandros Desktop 2 ( a smaller company compared to the now Novell owned SuSE), to which the author directly compares SuSE 9.1, includes DVD playability right out of the box. No need to purchase separate software to watch DVD’s with that distro. And also at $89, I find Xandros to be affordable myself too. I own copies of both, and was quite surprised at Xandros DVD functionality out of the box, and SuSE 9.1’s lack of it.
Well, SuSE 9.1 is the last version to come out from SuSE. From now on Novell/SuSE/Ximian will produce the next SuSE Linux (or Novell Linux?). So we’ll see what happens to the next version.
On top of that Xandros targets linux on the desktop completely. Although you probably can I doubt anyone in his/her right state of mind will run Xandros (or Lindows/Linspire or Lycoris) on a server.
You don’t need to purchase separate software to watch DVDs, you just download the necessary stuff from the Packman repository.
It may not be the best solution (for newbies) but it still not the end of the world for crying out loud!
Having said that if the only complaints about a linux distro these days are about encrypted DVDs then we’re on the right track
Yeah, I agree with ya. We are on the right track. I just wanted to point out that whenever someone complains about SuSE 9.1’s lack of DVD functionality, be it Personal or Pro, someone else comes out with a Windows XP comment.
We’re talking about a linux distro guys. Compare it to other linux distros who did include the licenses. Forget windows in this instance. That holds no sway when other commercial linux distros already include it.
But, yeah, you’re right it’s not the end of the world. But with a distro as big as SuSE, it would only help strengthen our attack on the windows platform, I think.
Pretty thorough review. It focuses on SUSE, avoiding the frequent mistake of reviewing KDE, Gnome, and bundled apps.
It is interesting that SUSE is starting to make an effort to eliminate the visual difference between KDE and Gnome. Less energy spent on eye candy and more energy building new and better tools would be a good thing.
Don’t believe the “cute” bouncing cursor is a SUSE thing. It’s a KDE thing. I find it annoying and wish they’d just polish their code so the damn applications would launch faster. Then, they wouldn’t need to distract users with such diversions. (Yes, I know it can be disabled.)
No one really buys SUSE to use Gnome, so it’s no surprise that this release is in keeping with SUSE’s traditional “not quited completely baked” handling of Gnome. If the Ximian crew is to stay employed, one imagines that may change.
Windows XP Home cost $85 and it is cheaper than SuSE Linux 9.1 and is $89+. So Windows is cheaper than Linux, well this version anyways, and once purchased on a machine pre-loaded it has ALL the software installed for DVD, CD-burning since almost every pc, notebook comes with those drives. If not a DVD player is like $30+ and comes with Windows software to play them.
http://www.eastoutlet.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=11&ca…
The article stated clearly that SuSE Linux 9.1 cannot play DVD’s and the playback was very jerky. Article quote below:
‘DVD playback is one of the major problems holding back the adoption of desktop Linux in the consumer market, and SUSE needs to address this issue for their next release. In addition to the DVD troubles, Kaffeine, the default media player for videos and streaming web content, seems to be unstable in some circumstances; freezing when I attempted to play an online Real Media stream and occasionally crashing on exit when tested on some machines’.
This is very unacceptable for SuSE to product this quality or lack there of quality in their software. If a program is, crashing then it is still in beta stage or has numerous bugs in the code not allowing it to execute correctly. Until the Linux, community agrees to pay privileges like DVD software and other media formats the general user community (home) will not accept it and (work). The Enterprise I have worked in for over 15 years, we have to have multi-media on our workstations for company initiatives, new changes and viewing (internal online) updates from Corporate and other mandatory company wide changes.
Recently, I purchased a Dell Inspiron 8600 with XP on it. Dell threw in a DVD player as part of the multimedia package received.
Power DVD I believe it was.
Here’s the issue: If you bought a copy of XP straight, you wouldn’t get the DVD playback function. But most newbie users are going to buy computers as part of a package from someone like Dell or Gateway or HP. Those packages come with a DVD playback option (PowerDVD, WinDVD etc…)
In order for SuSE to be competitive for new users to choose SuSE over XP, the DVD playback option needs to be included.
“I hate to break this to you but Xandros Desktop 2 ( a smaller company compared to the now Novell owned SuSE), to which the author directly compares SuSE 9.1, includes DVD playability right out of the box. No need to purchase separate software to watch DVD’s with that distro. And also at $89, I find Xandros to be affordable myself too. I own copies of both, and was quite surprised at Xandros DVD functionality out of the box, and SuSE 9.1’s lack of it.”
For my copy of Xandros I had to download the DVD functionality. Not a big deal, but it did not work for me right out of the install. Could be I missed something though as I own both as well.
“Windows XP Home cost $85 and it is cheaper than SuSE Linux 9.1 and is $89+. So Windows is cheaper than Linux, well this version anyways, and once purchased on a machine pre-loaded it has ALL the software installed for DVD, CD-burning since almost every pc, notebook comes with those drives. If not a DVD player is like $30+ and comes with Windows software to play them.”
True for the OEM versions maybe, or versions preinstalled. Windows XP Home has the following prices. At CompUSA it is $199.99 for the full version, and $99.99 for the Upgrade. At Amazon.com it is $176.99 for the full, and $89.99 for the upgrade. You are seeing some really good prices that I wish I could find.
“Recently, I purchased a Dell Inspiron 8600 with XP on it. Dell threw in a DVD player as part of the multimedia package received.
Power DVD I believe it was.
Here’s the issue: If you bought a copy of XP straight, you wouldn’t get the DVD playback function. But most newbie users are going to buy computers as part of a package from someone like Dell or Gateway or HP. Those packages come with a DVD playback option (PowerDVD, WinDVD etc…)
In order for SuSE to be competitive for new users to choose SuSE over XP, the DVD playback option needs to be included. “
That is how I buy my software, not bundled with a computer. You are right though that lots of users will buy the new OS only when they get a new computer. That said anyone buying a Linux laptop will most likely have the DVD functionality included by default. We were talking out of the box, not as OEM. The OS with a new computer is OEM, and the manufacturers add that value software.
Sorry, forgot to add that the link you posted is selling the OEM versions of Windows XP. OEM versions can only legally be sold with new hardware, and even the disclaimer at the bottom of the page acknowledges that. Basically if they are not selling it with new hardware it is illegal for them to sell it, or for anyone to buy it. That is according to the MS OEM license. That does explain the cost difference though.
Quote from Drill Sgt:’True for the OEM versions maybe, or versions preinstalled. Windows XP Home has the following prices. At CompUSA it is $199.99 for the full version, and $99.99 for the Upgrade. At Amazon.com it is $176.99 for the full, and $89.99 for the upgrade. You are seeing some really good prices that I wish I could find.’
Anyone can buy and find OEM Windows versions off the internet or by calling a toll free number…
http://www.pricewatch.com
Not very complicated as you make it and a DVD player is pretty well OEM or standard equipment on a PC and laptop today. With the software to play them, the point being still is Linux does not have the license for the software.
Most people building a new machine are buying hardware, thus the option of being able to purchase an OEM Windows CD. You can buy a DVD player, hard-drive or any piece of hardware. Plus, some sites do not require it, thus the option is available to those who research before purchasing, if not they are not shopping around.
If you were to compare OEM’s then if SuSE came WITH the computer it will have dvd playback support. The reason windows xp gets tageted so oftem is that being the number 1 desktop it should have dvd playback by default right? wrong. In fact, like someone has already stated you have to pay to get that solution whereas linux it is free. Walmart sells Linux on the desktop and guess what it comes with DVD support.
Now then. The review. I know about pacjage managers, typical programs fo getting work done like email, office, graphics, burning cd’s and the like including normal hardware support like USB, digital cameras etc….
All linux distros can do it and some can do it with very great ease. What I would like to see is a review that provides information on multimedia. If linux can edit and playback movies. How good is the distro supporting such things as S-video in S-video out.
This is something I wouldn’t mind knowing.
<nitpicking>
It’s not a gecko (family Gekkonidae), not even an chameleon gecko, it’s a chameleon (family Chamaeleonidae).
😉
</nitpicking>
The _only_ reason it’s not included is because of _licenses_. If the license were to change than DVD playback would be a part of the distribution. Companies like Xandros include DVD support because the _license_ isn’t an issue for them. Are they paying for a legal MPEG decoder? I dunno, but I suspect they are just including libdvdcss to read the encoded CDs
I am not going to say much here, it’s all been said… But I think it’s sort of strange and unbalanced to compare Windows and Linux…. even more so (in a near unintelligent way) to compare Windows XP HOME to SuSE Pro… Wouldn’t you at least do Home to Personal or Pro to Pro?
“Most people building a new machine are buying hardware, thus the option of being able to purchase an OEM Windows CD. You can buy a DVD player, hard-drive or any piece of hardware. Plus, some sites do not require it, thus the option is available to those who research before purchasing, if not they are not shopping around.”
True enough if purchasing hardware. If not purchasing hardware though an OEM copy can not legally be purchased, and that is the only point I was making there.
Sorry, last post as we have gotten off topic. Nice discussion though, thank you. I like it when there are no flames involved
My fault on the comparison starting, not Leonard Smith’s. Just seemed natural to do that comparison as the original comment was about DVD playback alone, in which case neither have it out of the retail box version.
Besides those comments though I did like the review. I have been using SuSE 9.1 now since it was released, and have only seen one occurence where KDE locked up tight and my only recourse was to kill power to the computer. I do not know if that is SuSE specific or if other recent distros are seeing it as well. Outside of that the machine has been working flawlessly for day to day activities.
I liked the review too, very thorough. SuSE 9.1 Pro is an awesome distro. But I am having a bit of a problem installing the way I need it to on my 4 drives sitting on my highpoint 404 raid controller. Seems to be SuSE 9.1 specific. I did install it onto one of the drives, and man, is it beautiful and fast! Still trying to plug away at installing it the way I like it, been messing with some configuration workarounds.
It would be nice if they did include a DVD utility in Linux by default with SuSE Linux. I might go ahead and buy it and install it on my laptop, hopefully I can get everything fully operatinonal-DVD and CD-Burner.
My only concern is that I prefer Gnome over KDE, but as long as it works I can live with it.
later
Leonard
I really appreciate all the reviews posted here. I’ve been using SuSE 9.0 for a few months and really love it. So much so that I decided to make 9.1 my first official purchase of a Linux product. Unfortunately my upgrade version has been on backorder (direct from SuSE) for almost 2 weeks now. Has anyone else had any problems actually getting the product?
With the FTP option available in 2 more days, I’m seriously considering just cancelling my order and going that route.
All I get is a page that pretty much only says that “Page took 0.022955 sec to load”.
Isn’t this the link
http://www.desktopos.com/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=17 ?
There are no reviews either under “Reviews”. Do I have to create an account to see the review? Anyone know of a mirror? It’s not on /.
The site is fried.
Hi everyone. It’s Tim here the owner of DesktopOS.com
DesktopOS.com has crashed! The mySQL Database has becaome correctpted! It was due to a miss-config of the hosting service. The problem has been fixed but the site is still down. It is unlikly I’ll be able to restore everything up until when the database become corrupt. I have a backup that is a few weeks old, we will probably restore the site to the backup. We will re-create the SUSE review and have it back online with the same URL as soon as possible. Note it might be a few days. I hope not though! I will try to get the site back online for all to enjoy as soon as possible.
This could not have happened at a worse time.
Please check back in 24 hours. I hope we will be online by then.
Thanks
First off, who in his right mind is watching DVDs on a PC in the 3rd millennium?! This used to be cool when 1500 USD players couldn’t be had by everyone. But now, you get stand alone players starting from like 50 USD ! If you are sitting at your home office desk (which is where PCs usually reside) and watch DVDs with your family on a friday night, I pitty you.
You need not try to argue whether XP is equally priced or not because of some bundled Dell-DVD player software, because if you start this game you are always bound to lose it: SuSE comes with 5 CDs full of software, so don’t start it with the DVD player, please. How about an FTP client, one of the most basic, most used pieces of software? Not in XP, my friend. How about some more obscure stuff like an tFTP server? It’s even hard to find *any* for Windows, and even harder to find a free one. There are about 500 billion apps of that sort you would have to pay for in Windows-land, but which ship with SuSE.
who in his right mind is watching DVDs on a PC in the 3rd millennium?!
Four words:
Laptop
Bed
Sunday morning
it’s perfect for those of us who don’t have the bedroom space to plant a TV there.
Getting a smaller bed would be a painful alternative, getting a larger house rather expensive.
As an additional bonus, you don’t have to reach while swapping DVDs halfway through The Two Towers. Never mind looking for the remote.
Maybe it isn’t cool, but it is a way of life. And it has a definite 3rd millennium feel to it.
My girlfriend’s dad travels for work every day. Sometimes he needs to stay over night if the work takes him far from home. He loves movies. It’s about the only thing he does in his spare time. So he brings his laptop with him, as well as a handful of his DVDs. Makes sense and is convenient.
Lucky thing that the computer came with all the needed software (Toshiba laptop).
don’t bother trying to read the article now, the server is hosed. Database corrupted due to logs filling the alloted webspace. He may or may not be back later. I wonder if this is typical of a Slashdotting.
Hi folks,
The people at Ruffdogs have helped us sort out the problems and we are back in business! The link should now work fine again.
Jason Prince
(DesktopOS.com co-admin)