New to openSUSE

From openSUSE

This article is for users who are new to Linux/openSUSE.

What is Linux/openSUSE?

Linux is an operating system like Windows or MacOS. Strictly speaking it is only the Kernel, the main program which takes care of your hardware and gives applications a interface to communicate with it. Some people name the operating system because of this confusion 'GNU/Linux'.

openSUSE is a Linux distribution. A distribution is a collection of programs, compiled for the users convenience to make it easy to run it. There are several parts of a Linux, like the Kernel, the Bootloader or the Desktop. All these parts are not hosted or developed at a central place, so to make a full featured Linux system you have to collect these parts and make a distribution.

There are other distributions available, to name a few: Fedore, Debian, Ubuntu, Mandriva. openSUSE focus on a complete system, very good Laptop support and a very easy installation and system configuration with YaST.

Why use it

As a casual user

openSUSE have all kind of programs you need included, like an office suite, webrowser, instant messaging, email client and much more. There are also some political reasons like freedom. With open-source software you have all kind of freedoms, for example to use it, change the software and redistribute it.

As a developer

Open-Source means that you can view at the sourcecode and change it if you want/need to. Another reason is that all kind of tools for development like a compilers, development environments and documentation are available for the system.

Download/Buy

openSUSE is a free Linux distribution, you can download it, but if you want you can also buy it. The advantage of the boxed product is that you don't have to download/burn the media, you have printed documentation included and you have installation support included. The aim is therefore the Linux beginner, you can buy the box at shop.novell.com.

If you want to download openSUSE, just head over to software.opensuse.org, there is a wizard on the page to find what you need. More information about the download is available, but the webpage is pretty straight forward.

Installation

The installtion of openSUSE is quite easy. If you want to try out the system without an installation, download the Live image. One advantage of openSUSE is that the installation is fully graphical and based on suggestions. In the best case you just have to click "next" all the time, you only have to look at the partitioning. Look here for a basic installation guide.

How to use the Desktop

The desktop is basicly your graphical environment, with windows, icons and a "start" menue, just like you know it from other operating systems. There are plenty of programs for the same purpose available, so openSUSE have several desktops included. The most common used ones are KDE and GNOME. Which one you use is just personal taste. You can install both in parallel and also use a KDE program with GNOME and vice versa so you are not bound to one desktop system at all.

KDE

Quickstart kde link?

GNOME

quickstart gnome link?

Applications

openSUSE includes a lot of applications, sometimes it's hard to figure out which one you want :-) The names are different, e.g. we don't have Winamp but other programs which cover the same functions. A list which shows most common Windows applications and the Linux equivalents is available [Application_Equivalents|here].

Tip: The KDE and GNOME menu sort the applications with the functions they have. If you install new software you can also search for the function instead of the name.

How to install new applications

The easiest way to install new software which is included is with [YaST_Software_Management|YaST]. If the software is not included, or you want to try a different version you should always go to the [openSUSE build service (obs)] first. Just select your installed version and search for the software you want. Software from the obs can simply installed by the 1-Click button.

Unfortunately openSUSE can't include all software, especially for multimedia. Please head over to [opensuse-community] for help.

below: is this really needed? hmmm ....

Office / Productivity

Chat and IRC

Video and Multimedia

Games and Entertainment

Educational

Further information/help