MESSAGE
| DATE | 2004-03-23 |
| FROM | From: "Inker, Evan"
|
| SUBJECT | Subject: [hangout] What Is New in SUSE LINUX 9.1 ?
|
** Bottom Line for users: Suse Professional 9.1 price increase of $10. and
Suse Personal 9.1 price decrease of $10. Also note that
Suse has added Additional software (Rekall, Textmaker, Planmaker, and
MoneyPlex) which seems a bit strange with the exception of Rekall which
fills a need to those looking for a GUI for MySQL or PostgreSQL.
What Is New in SUSE LINUX 9.1 ?
http://www.suse.com/en/private/products/suse_linux/preview/interview.html
The new SUSE LINUX 9.1 features an enhanced product concept and many new,
innovative technologies. Chris Schlaeger, Vice President Research &
Development at SUSE LINUX, explains the most important new features in
detail.
What do you consider the three most important technical improvements in SUSE
LINUX 9.1?
Linux kernel 2.6, KDE 3.2.1, and GNOME 2.4.2. Once more, we are the first
ones to make these milestones - kernel 2.6 and KDE 3.2 - available for a
wide audience on CD and DVD.
What are the benefits of Linux kernel 2.6 for home users?
Simply stated, all audio and video applications run more smoothly, and
reading and writing of CDs and DVDs is faster. The increased system
performance also enables substantially improved streaming of video and audio
data. Thanks to the DMA mode, burning CDs and DVDs in Linux has become
faster. Additionally, the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA), which is
spearheaded by SUSE, is now an integral component of kernel 2.6, delivering
audio and MIDI functions in Linux. ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power
Interface) ensures efficient power management, for example by extending the
battery operation time of laptops. For Linux veterans, the time has come to
part with a Linux peculiarity many have become fond of: the mounting and
unmounting of removable media. CDs and DVDs can now be ejected with a button
click without having to unmount them manually.
KDE 3.2 has been keenly anticipated. What are the new features?
First, we would like to thank the KDE team for its excellent job: about
10,000 improvements have been integrated since the first version of KDE 3.
SUSE LINUX 9.1 comes with KDE version 3.2.1, which boasts an impressive
performance and a high stability of the individual applications. For
example, the rendering engine of the browser and file manager Konqueror have
been optimized in collaboration with the developers of the Apple browser
Safari. One of the most conspicuous new features is the personal information
manager Kontact, which provides a uniform interface for e-mail, calendar,
address book, and notes. Another new feature is the integrated spellchecking
for web forms and e-mail messages. The functionality of the file manager and
web browser Konqueror has been expanded. With Konqueror, you can import
Internet Explorer bookmarks, speedily browse through image directories,
network folders, and services, rip audio CDs, and read the contents of
digital cameras and USB sticks. Kwallet serves as a central storage for
passwords and access information. The music manager JuK enables the smart
and intuitive management of large music archives.
What are the new features of GNOME 2.4?
Version 2.4.2 of the desktop environment GNOME features eleven new
applications and support of accessability aids for handicapped users, such
as a screen reader with voice or Braille display output and the dynamic
on-screen keyboard GOK. Since GNOME 2.2, the GNOME file manager Nautilus has
been expanded by several important functions, and the stability and speed
have been increased significantly. The user interface and stability of the
web browser Epiphany have also been revised. gcalctool is a completely new
GNOME calculator that offers a much wider functionality than its
predecessor. The GNOME panel has been revised and its usability and
flexibility have been improved.
What does version 9.1 offer in terms of new multimedia features?
Once again, SUSE LINUX 9.1 delivers the most comprehensive collection of
free audio software. The synthesizer AlsaModularSynth has been expanded
considerably and now supports polyphonic structures. Another highlight is
the demo version of the professional video editing application MainActor 5.2
with DV I/O, MPEG I/O, and audio editing.
What are the most important new features for Linux experts?
Apart from kernel 2.6, Samba 3 is one of the most important new assets.
Samba 3 enables operations such as the integration of Linux clients in
Windows domains. Thanks to the "Active Directory" access and the possibility
to configure virtual servers, Samba 3 greatly facilitates the consolidation
of hardware.
Ambitious PC users will enjoy Quanta Plus, an HTML editor with WYSIWYG (what
you see is what you get) functionality. Developers will appreciate KDevelop
3.0 with C, C++, and Java support, customizable layout, freely selectable
editor, separate class overview for C++, automatic code completion, syntax
check, and integrated debuggers.
Windows and Linux on one machine - is this possible with SUSE LINUX?
Of course. Due to the current virus surge, Linux is highly recommended for
e-mail and Internet operations. Since the last version, SUSE LINUX has been
supporting the NTFS file system used by Microsoft Windows 2000 and XP. Thus,
users of all Windows versions who have never used Linux before can install
SUSE LINUX alongside Windows on their computers and migrate step by step
without taking any risks. For those who want to do their office work in
Linux, the enclosed OpenOffice.org 1.1 now offers even more functionality
and comfort, such as the new macro recorder, the export of PDF files, the
import and export of all kinds of XML formats, and the export of
presentations in flash format. OpenOffice.org is now fully integrated in KDE
3.2.1. Therefore, the icons and the look correspond to the KDE theme.
The professional press praises SUSE LINUX for its excellent documentation.
What is new in the manuals for version 9.1?
The instructions for the installation and configuration with YaST as well as
the chapters on GIMP and KDE have been revised. The documentation for the
instant messenger Kopete and the configuration of SPAMAssassin in KMail is
new. The Administration Guide now covers Bluetooth, Apache 2, Samba 3, and
printing with CUPS. The description of the powersave package and the YaST
Power Management module as well as the extensive documentation of font
handling in SUSE LINUX are also new.
SUSE has modified the prices. The Professional edition has gone up 10 Euros,
the Personal edition has gone down 20 Euros. What is the reason for this???
In order to convince even more people of the advantages of using Linux,
version 9.1 makes the migration easier than ever. The policy is to make it
"lean and inexpensive". The condensed software range now offers the best for
the Internet, e-mail, office, graphics, sound, and video on a single CD. The
new live CD enables Linux newcomers without any previous experience to get
to know SUSE LINUX without having to install it. The highly competitive
price of EUR 29.95 for SUSE LINUX Personal is extremely attractive for those
who would like to get a taste of this system without putting an undue burden
on their personal pockets.
On the other hand, we have greatly expanded the software range of SUSE LINUX
Professional: SUSE LINUX 9.1 Professional provides ambitious home users and
developers with state-of-the-art Linux technology for standard 32-bit PC
processors as well as for AMD Athlon64 and Intel Extended Memory 64
Technology in one box. The product includes more than 2,500 software
packages on 5 CDs and 2 double-sided DVDs, together with more than 1,000
pages of topical documentation. Moreover, SUSE LINUX Professional can be
deployed on an unlimited number of machines - all of this for only EUR
89.95.
Interested?
SUSE LINUX 9.1 will be available at https://suse.asknet.de and from
bookstores and software suppliers on May 6.
SUSE LINUX 9.1 Professional - New and Better
The stable and secure core system of SUSE LINUX 9.1 Professional features a
number of improvements. For example, the new kernel 2.6 and the new KDE 3.2
provide quicker access to data. In addition to the SUSE LINUX 9.1
Professional version for standard x86 PCs, a fully ported 64-bit version is
available for the new AMD64(r) and the new Intel(r) Extended Memory 64
Technology. Both versions are shipped in one box.
Scope of SUSE LINUX 9.1 Professional:
New: Kernel 2.6
New: KDE 3.2
GNOME 2.4
Samba 3.0
Many new applications
Includes fully ported 64-bit version for AMD64(r) and Intel(r) Extended
Memory 64 Technology
Pre-order SUSE LINUX 9.1 Professional now!
SUSE LINUX 9.1 will be available from beginning of May.
Apart from the well-known MS Office-compatible office suite OpenOffice.Org
(free version of SUN StarOffice 7) SUSE LINUX Professional 9.1 delivers
applications for the Internet, home networks, graphics and multimedia, a new
personal information manager, home banking software, and the latest versions
of programming tools and development environments for technicians and
developers. For the first time, the box contains a database application with
graphical menus.
Important new features and benefits:
Kernel 2.6
State-of-the-art operating system technology - provides improved
performance, scalability, and memory management for many processes. Burning
of CDs and DVDs and reading of audio CDs is greatly accelerated by new DMA
modes for these tasks. Manual mounting is no longer necessary, as this is
done automatically by submount.
KDE 3.2
The new, greatly improved version of the popular graphical desktop
environment KDE. KDE starts up faster than previously, automatically plays
inserted media (CD, DVD), and boasts many new features and applications:
Kontact
New personal information manager for KDE, similar to MS Outlook. Integrates
mail, organizer, address book, and note pad. The e-mail program KMail is
able to import mail folders from Outlook Express on the Windows partition.
Moreover, the address book is capable of importing address books from MS
Exchange.
Juk
New KDE music manager for the quick and smart management of extensive music
archives.
KWallet
"Password safe" - used by many applications - securely manages your various
passwords.
Kopete
Version 0.8 of the instant messenger, "understands" MSN, AIM, ICQ, IRC,
Yahoo Messenger, Jabber. Communicate with all your "old" acquaintances from
the respective services with Kopete.
KDevelop
Version 3.0 of the well-known development environment. With support for more
than 15 programming languages, customizable layout, freely selectable editor
component and separate class overview for C++, automatic code completion,
syntax check during the input, and integrated debuggers.
Umbrello
UML modeler, tool for drawing diagrams for object-oriented software
development. Import of C++, export to various languages.
Konqueror
New version of the KDE file manager and web browser. Enables import of
Internet Explorer bookmarks, comfortable browsing through image directories,
network folders, and network services, ripping audio CDs, and viewing the
content of digital cameras.
Quanta Plus
The HTML editor now features a wysiwyg editor component.
Spellchecker
Now available for e-mail (in KMail) and web forms (in Konqueror).
Universelle Sidebar
Navigation sidebar for the hierarchical display of folder structures. Can
now be displayed on the desktop without the Konqueror file manager.
GNOME 2.4
New version of the alternative desktop environment GNOME with improved
usability and new accessibility options for handicapped users, such as a
screen reader with voice output or braille display output.
Samba 3
Optimum setup of heterogeneous home networks with Linux and Windows hosts.
Enables the integration of Linux hosts in Windows domains and the connection
to an active directory and single sign-on. Deleted client files can now be
cached on the server side. The implementation of trust settings is possible.
Hardware testing and consolidation is much easier due to the possibility of
configuring virtual Samba servers.
YaST 2
The help function of YaST has been improved and the usability of many
individual modules has been revised. A new module for ACPI enables the
graphical configuration of individual ACPI power management settings.
New Software/Additional Software
Rekall
Graphical database application, comparable to MS Access.
Textmaker and Planmaker
Free versions of the highly Word and Excel-compatible text processing and
spreadsheet applications from Softmaker, exclusively in SUSE LINUX 9.1.
(www.softmaker.de)
Moneyplex
New version of the home banking software from Matrica (SUSE edition),
exclusively in SUSE LINUX.
(www.matrica.de)
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