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few days ago to openSUSE 12.3 we have between us and a few days, how could it be otherwise, I have installed as the primary operating system. The truth is that there is an “explosion of flavor” the passing of a openSUSE version to another, but perhaps therein lies its greatness: everything is just a little better . In fact, the only difference really appreciated in relation to the previous version, beyond the new visual theme for KDE, is the speed boot , considerably higher, which is always appreciated ( seems to have finally tamed systemd!).
Total
that in openSUSE 12.3′m happy as a clam, and that improvements in the distro, along with my essential KDE, make everything as usual, but better. And as to the latter, and I repeat, let me tell you what I believe the great strengths openSUSE :
YaST (Installer)
acknowledge that for the new user or you need a few options, the installed system and co Ubuntu (Kubuntu!) is ideal, simple and fast. YaST is not it much more complicated if you stay on the surface, but just dive a little between your options to realize the possibilities. Thus, it is safe to say that YaST installer is the most complete set of GNU / Linux . Managing encrypted volumes and the inclusion of custom repositories are two of my favorite details.
addition, YaST installer is also a fast (10 minutes later I see appear on the desk before me) and very reliable. And if by chance something goes wrong, the rescue comes YaST in text mode , with the same options and interface through ncurses …
YaST (System Administrator)
Yes, sorry about before but now dedicated to making life easier for the user. It is also one of the typical praise being leveled to SUSE / openSUSE, even for users who have never really come to try it. Best of all is that even though things look like, YaST has improved greatly over time: is very light (always accused him otherwise, but regular users know that such thing stopped being true for quite a few versions … Well, I would say that since switching to Qt4).
And if you fail
graphical session … Exactly, there is YaST ncurses to save the day . Nothing is perfect, of course, but YaST remains unsurpassed in GNU / Linux, is extended with new modules, develop a limited-by-web interface now … Some of the features that gives taste to have a mouse are:
peripheral configuration
bootloader configuration
Configuring system services, runlevels
Firewall
Managing users and groups
important, but the “carnage” has improved in recent times . Another is that with so many GUI just forgetting what you learned in the console …. But that’s the point? Well, let’s run a veil and let’s talk about:
Zypper and … yes, YaST (Software Management)
YaST
remains for me the best option to install packages, and only for its version control as repositories , I prefer it to any other when installing new software. At the same time, and after going through urpmi, apt-get or Pacman, Zypper is, even with its limitations, a form comfortable, simple, powerful and quick to install and update via the command line has nothing to envy to the above, perhaps the other way around (at least in the case of apt-get, it seems to be getting slower as the years pass).
In short, zypper and YaST are sufficient reasons for not wanting to know anything about Apper / PackageKit, however much we have improved in this latest version. True, you play the role to the new user-or-more comodón on issues such as notice of new updates or installing RPM files locally, but are dispensable (with a zypper up or zypper in when I need it I left).
Speaking of software, openSUSE is very well served. Getting better. You do not need tens of thousands of packages in the repositories so you do not miss anything, or almost nada.Y if you miss something, it is likely that the community will give it all a mouse thanks to the Package Search online.
A perfect balance that borders …
… Among updated software and stability , I might add. This is another of the great strengths of Gecko. Without going to the extremes of Debian or Fedora, openSUSE, with exceptions, as were his versions 11.3 or 12.1-, is a reliable system. I will not make negative comparisons with other distributions, for GNU / Linux has a feature not shared by other platforms: when you gain experience and leave behind the distrohopping – even for time! – have found the site that you are truly comfortable , and you can count The Lord of the Rings , which it purchases.
course, openSUSE, like any other software suite, has room for improvement. For example, their release schedule and support time , understanding openSUSE as a system that is made to work (and I understand it), is deficient. With annual version and three years of support recover some of the ground that has earned Ubuntu and its LTS CIA, but not likely to happen (yes, SLED is Evergreen … and, of course, but in no case is the same).
Another point that could be improved for the new openSUSE user is in the access to additional components packages such as drivers or restricted by licensing issues. I’m talking about things like introducing the user in managing community repositories without having to make a living. In this example of Ubuntu should take, with nuances, as the example also could use the reverse with oysters things.
conclusion, I can say with absolute certainty that openSUSE 12.3 is the best version I’ve never had this distribution (something otherwise quite logical, since all the software that will include better , otherwise it would be worrying) and stands at number one launches ‘gnulinuxeros’ This 2013 , which still has a long bellows. Possibly be overcome by the very openSUSE 13.1 (November), but I have my doubts. So far, one finished versions have been like to frame, but this time the story is a little different.
also know that odd years are not the best for Ubuntu, and derived family, Mageia and still needs to mature a little (understand that SolusOS not mention, much less Tanglu Manjaro or, nor Arch Linux, Gentoo or other of style, this time we were in mainstream ). What then is the brave who stands up to Gecko this year? No … Ah, yes. Debian 7 
