[Lancaster] Download of latest version of SUSE Linux

[Ken Hough]

On Saturday 20 December 2008 19:08:01 mp wrote:
> Ken Hough wrote:
> > On Saturday 20 December 2008 12:46:04 mp wrote:
> >> andy baxter wrote:
> >>> Ken Hough wrote:
> >>>> Overnight, I managed to download DVD image for latest version
> >>>> (released yesterday!) of 64bit SUSE v11.1. Did this via bittorrent, so
> >>>> hopefully helped the cause somewhat.
> >>>>
> >>>> Have now installed same in place of SUSE v11.0 without problems and am
> >>>> running it right now to send this message. I keep a separate /home
> >>>> directory that I don't re-format, so I'm up and running much as
> >>>> before.
> >>>>
> >>>> So far it looks good! A LOT better than the pre-release version that I
> >>>> tried! On the basis of previous recent experience with SUSE, I didn't
> >>>> really expect anything less than good.
> >>>>
> >>>> The options for desktops are: Gnome, KDE4.1, and others. For
> >>>> conservative types like me, KDE3.5 is still offered under 'others'.
> >>>>
> >>>> By accepting default settings, installation will give something like
> >>>> an Ubuntu system where things are made as simple as possible for
> >>>> newbies. eg user password is used for 'root' access and the default
> >>>> user is logged in automatically. Unlike Ubuntu, these default settings
> >>>> and also many others can be easily changed (by unticking boxes) to
> >>>> suit individual preferences. This format is much like that of v11.0,
> >>>> but has been tidied up.
> >>>>
> >>>> I guess that this large number of options might be confusing for some
> >>>> newbies should they decide to explore them.
> >>>>
> >>>> There is a slight change in the way the partitioner works/looks under
> >>>> the manual setting, but once figured out, this works well.
> >>>>
> >>>> I'll post a review when I've had some time to explore.
> >>>
> >>> Thanks for the update. I'll maybe have a look at SuSE some day, though
> >>> I'm put off by the prospect of having to relearn a lot of debian-based
> >>> skills.
> >>
> >> I am put off by the deals that Novell has been striking with Microsoft
> >> and which is part of the general FUD and war on Free Software that
> >> Microsoft is leading. Novell is an enemy of Free Software - SuSE is
> >> their extension into the community to change it from within. Don't use
> >> it.
> >
> > IMHO: Rubbish!
> >
> > As a long time user of SuSE (that's SuSE with the original small 'u'),
> > that was my initial fear when Novell and Microsoft appeared to be cosying
> > up to each other. Subsequent events have eased my concerns. If anything,
> > it seems to me to be doing good. Microsoft have been forced to recognise
> > and accept that they can't kill open source/free software. That
> > particular horse bolted to freedom a while back.
> >
> > Some would claim that in the light of the Vista fiasco and other
> > shenanigans, unless Microsoft get themselves sorted out and at last
> > produce a decent operating system, they will at risk of becoming a
> > declining force.
> >
> > The only way that the Microsoft FUD can work is if users remain ignorant
> > and actually believe the old Microsoft propaganda. In the light of the
> > Microsoft/Novell link, it's hardly credible for Microsoft to continue
> > referring to Linux as a 'cancer', etc.
> >
> > Seeing Linux running and supported alongside MS Windows (and typically
> > performing better than the latter) might even result in conversions to
> > Linux. I don't believe that Linux has anything to be worried about in
> > this context.
> >
> > SUSE and Red Hat are doing a lot for the likes of us. They are actively
> > and financially supporting open versions of their main/enterprise level
> > distros. Yes, they get a lot of benefits, but so do we. Both openSUSE and
> > Fedora are excellent distros which allow us to run the latest versions of
> > software. Because of this support, a lot of businesses, enterprises and
> > individuals are being exposed to Linux who otherwise wouldn't be. Now
> > surely, that can't be bad!
> >
> > Contrary to your instruction, I will continue to use SUSE, and continue
> > to do my best to spread the good word about Linux (and SUSE   :-) ). Do
> > yourself a favour and try it!
>
> IMHO: rubbish
>
> Of course they can continue to refer to Free Software as a cancer, that
> is the whole point, which you have obviously missed - the very idea of
> the Novell deal is to show that "SuSE is the one and only legally safe,
> Microsoft endorsed GNU/Linux system, the rest are dangerous and can get
> you into an intellectual property law court case". It is one long
> circumscription of Free Software by way of patent portfolios and
> licensing mechanisms designed to exclude.
>
> Of course I won't try it.

Then IMHO, that will be your loss.

If Novell had a monopoly as the only source of software and licensing for 
Linux, then there might have been the possibility of a 'closed market' 
developing. As things stand there are too many other powerful interested  
parties for that happen.

I've already mentioned Red Hat. Others include Sun Inc and IBM (if only to 
stuff Microsoft). These parties have vested interests in being able to freely 
use Linux and make their money by providing professional support, mostly to 
large corporate bodies. This area is growing as more commercial and 
government agencies realise the advantages of and become familiar with open 
source software.

The idea that "SuSE is the one and only legally safe,
Microsoft endorsed GNU/Linux system, the rest are dangerous and can get
you into an intellectual property law court case" can work ONLY if people 
remain in ignorance of Linux and the concept of open source software.

History shows that power is maximised by keeping populations in ignorance and 
fear. Microsoft know this very well.

Remember the SCO case? Basically, SCO were trying to claim intellectual 
property rights over parts of the Linux kernel code. They were eventually 
laughed out of court. Guess who was found to have funded SCO?

The open source/Linux community don't have the marketing clout of Microsoft, 
so publicity can only be good for Linux.

BTW: It's now SUSE rather than SuSE.  (Naturlich!)

The recent spate of 'netbook' computers running Linux is perhaps the best 
advertising so far for Linux. The fact that Microsoft have been forced to 
respond by allowing XP to continue to be used on such machines is IMHO, bound 
to make Joe Bloggs think a bit and perhaps begin to see that the Microsoft 
line is rubbish!.

Some (no names of course  :-) ) would prefer to live in an ideal world in 
which open source software remains totally isolated from commercialism. ie 
free from any competition from other possibilities.

Via various devious means, Microsoft have strived to stifle competition, and 
look at the result. 2nd rate operating systems!

Linux is so good largely BECAUSE to make any serious headway, it's had to 
become better than Microsoft offerings  --  while remaining safe from legal 
challenges.

Linux has something that Microsoft do not really understand  ---  DIVERSITY. 
Do you seriously believe that Microsoft could make any impression on this?

I don't question your ideals. They are your choice, but I believe that your 
fears are unfounded.


Ken Hough

PS. I bet that you use Debian     ;-)