Novell beefs up desktop Linux challenge to Windows

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Novell plans to release in early November a new version of its open-source operating system for desktops.

SuSE Linux Professional 9.2 is designed for computers with 32-bit processors as well as those based on Advanced Micro Devices' Athlon 64 chips and those that use Intel's Extended Memory 64, the company said. The software is based on Linux kernel 2.6.8 and features Bluetooth support, the ability to roam between wireless LANs and other networks, and enhanced power management and hardware support.

The product is designed to appeal to consumers as well as technical enthusiasts, the software maker said.

This is the second update of the operating system to be released this year. Open-source software makers like Novell and Red Hat have been beefing up their consumer offerings, in a bid to challenge Microsoft's Windows operating system.

"We are convinced this offering will enable many more home users to switch from an alternative system to SuSE Linux Professional 9.2 with confidence and ease," Markus Rex, vice-president at Novell, said in a statement.

The package comes bundled with development platforms such as KDevelop, Eclipse and Mono, for open-source users interested in working on Linux as well as cross-platform applications. Other features include greater security via automatic activation of a firewall after installation and the KDE 3.3 and GNOME 2.6 graphical desktop environments.

Talkback

2nd release this year! If Microsoft produced several versions a year with no easy upgrade path between them, everyone would be screaming blue murder! Still while Linux has close to zero percent market share on the desktop (the majority of those supposed Linux desktop sales go to people who install a pirated copy of XP) I suppose they can get away with it!

via Facebook 7 October, 2004 17:19
Reply

Would like to see SuSe 9.2 as a preloaded option while buying computers.
Currently only a few laptop models are supported by the big manufacturers. When will they break out of the monopoly's grip?

Blog: http://half-in-jest.blogspot.com

via Facebook 27 October, 2004 15:35
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