SuSE Linux 8.1 available in stores from early OctoberNuremberg 17 September 2002 SuSE Linux will make available the latest version of Europe's most popular Linux distribution from the beginning of October. Linux 8.1 offers new set-up tools and system profiles manager, wireless lan data encryption and severla updates of application software.
Blending operating system and applications, SuSE's system assistant, YaST2 (Yet another Setup Tool), is the core element and administration centre of this comprehensive package for first-time
and experienced Linux users. With YaST2, even new Linux users can complete the installation in less than 30 minutes. The updated hardware detection automatically integrates even the latest USB2.0 devices and Firewire devices. Only a mouse click is necessary to set up printers, sound cards, and TV cards. YaST2 now provides a module for the configuration of special hardware components such as joysticks. Even output devices such as touch screens, vertical LCDs, 3D solutions, and multi-head systems can be configured easily with SaX2 (SuSE advanced X configuration). Linux professionals will appreciate the expanded YaST2 text mode.
The new system profile manager "SCPM" (SuSE Configuration Profile Management) facilitates the easy management of multiple system configurations. SuSE Linux users who commute between different locations, can now use local peripherals such as printers or scanners with a single click. Laptop users will also value the improved wireless LAN support that can be easily configured with YaST2.
Data encryption with WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) provides maximum security in wireless LANs. Version 8.1 now offers CAPI support (Common ISDN Application Programming Interface). Thus, fax messages can be sent via passive ISDN cards. CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) is implemented as the default printing system, since its wide range of drivers enables the flexible and precise utilisation of all common printers. The expanded SuSE Firewall 2, a crypto file system that protects laptop and hard disk data even in the event of theft, GNU Privacy Guard (GPG encryption) as well as proven security technologies such as OpenSSH, PAM, and IPsec are part of the standard equipment of SuSE Linux 8.1.
OpenOffice.org 1.0.1 offers TrueType support and improved import filters. Thus, mature utilities for text processing, spreadsheets, and presentations are available to users without any licensing
fees. Once again, SuSE offers the latest version of the superb KDE desktop environment, KDE 3.0.3, that appears in the innovative "ceramics style". Users can customise the look and feel of the desktop environment according to their personal preferences. The new GNOME 2.0 desktop is also included.
Major highlights for multimedia fans include GPhoto 2.1, an application that transfers images from the digital camera directly to the hard disk, where they can be comfortably edited with the image processing application Gimp. The Ogg Vorbis 1.0 encoder and player provides today's most advanced audio compression tool that even exceeds the quality of the common MP3 and MP3 Pro technology. In addition, simple, reliable and rapid CD burning is possible with the new tool K3b. The improved Windows emulator "wine" enables the utilisation of countless Windows applications in Linux.
SuSE YOU (YaST Online Update) is the SuSE unique system maintenance and system optimisation service. Users can download a list of all security updates from the SuSE server and decide which
ones to install. Only the modifications will be transmitted, not the entire programme. SuSE users with modem and ISDN connections will benefit from this service, because it reduces the
transmission time by about two thirds and guarantees a perpetually stable, secure, and powerful system.
In addition to common media such as CD-ROM or DVD, SuSE's new "Software Installer" allows installation based on ftp- and http-servers, local directories, or network drives. Software Installer checks and controls complex dependencies of different programme packages before their installation, thus ensuring maximum system stability.
SuSE delivers the SuSE Linux 8.1 operating system with kernel 2.4.19 and gcc 3.2, representing the latest Linux technology. Optimised Linux kernels provide maximum performance for Pentium 4
processors and AMD processors. The powerful boot manager, GRUB (Grand Unified Boot Loader), substitutes the Linux-Loader, Lilo, as default boot manager. Powertweak allows Linux professionals to modify kernel parameters comfortably in order to maximise the performance of their systems. The latest versions of central Linux tools such as the web server Apache 2.0.40 and Samba 2.2.5, the
file and print server for Windows networks, are also included. Moreover, with ReiserFS, JFS, XFS, and Ext3, four journaling file systems are available.
SuSE Linux 8.1 includes revised manuals with new chapters about digital cameras, the printing system CUPS, and the GNOME desktop environment. SuSE Linux 8.1 will be available from software
retailers from the beginning of October. The recommended retail price for SuSE Linux 8.1 Personal (3 CDs, User Guide, 60 days of installation support) is EUR 49.90 and the price for SuSE Linux
8.1 Professional (7 CDs, 1 DVD, User Guide and Administration Guide, 90 days of installation support) is EUR 89.90.
Ad Emmen [News on Advanced IT] [Calendar] [Analysis] [IT in Medicine] |
 |