With SuSE's new desktop, users get the stability and flexibility of Linux while having the full functionality and interoperability of accustomed applications. Users can continue to process Microsoft files in Linux or even install and utilise Office programmes on the SuSE desktop.

SuSE Linux Office Desktop combines the technology and user friendliness of SuSE Linux 8.1 with proven tools that facilitate the migration from Windows operating systems and applications. The SuSE system assistant YaST2 (Yet another Setup Tool) automatically detects existing Windows 95/98/ME installations and submits a useful proposal for the reallocation of the existing hard disk space and the Linux software to install.

Using the partitioning tool Acronis OS Selector, no technical experience is needed to successfully migrate to Linux without losing any data - even with a preinstalled Windows 2000/XP. Thanks to YaST2, hardware components such as printers, scanners, sound cards, ISDN adapters, and TV cards are detected and configured automatically.

SuSE Linux Office Desktop enables the continued use of existing data: StarOffice 6.0 from Sun Microsystems offers text processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications as well as other office applications for Linux, together with mature filter functions for data exchange from/to various formats.

Codeweavers CrossOver Office 1.3.1 enables the utilisation of familiar applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint from MS Office 97/2000 as well as Visio 2000 and other MS applications on the SuSE desktop. For the first time, even IBM Lotus Notes can be utilised on a Linux client.

The user friendly SuSE Linux Office Desktop assistant controls the installation of MS applications, the printer configuration, the management of your own shares, and the integration of network directories.

Users can choose between KDE 3.0.4 and GNOME 2.0 as graphical desktop environment. The comfortable mail clients Evolution and KMail can be utilized with both desktop environments. Thus, SuSE Linux Office Desktop delivers all central tools an office client needs in an office network.

The new SuSE Linux Office Desktop will be available from January 21 from selected retailers. The recommended retail price of EUR 139.90 for one machine includes detailed documentation and 90 days of installation support.