openSuse is here for traditional Novell users. The distro packs some of the goodies of Gnu/Linux. For a hard-core developer-type user, who is also a fan of rpm, 11.3 is a nice upgrade. But is it suitable for the next-door PC user who doesn't care about rpm or deb?

I downloaded the live 64bit Gnome version. It worked out of the box on my latest machine with Intel i5, NVIDIA GTX 470, ASUS p7p55d-e motherboard and Linksys WLAN.

Everything, including network, sound worked out of the box. In fact tt gave me more trouble to test install Windows 7 on this machine. I had to install drivers for most of my hardware -- including WLAN, HP printer, Webcam, Tchibo Internet Stick and what not. Under Gnu/Linux these things work out of the box (so was the case with openSuse).

So, from the installation point of view Gnu/Linux is less time consuming and gets ready to work immediately. On the contrary Windows 7 needs CDs /DVDs from hardware vendors to make it work. Interestingly, Windows needs around 20GB of HDD, whereas entire Gnu/Linux installs on mere 2-3 GB.
 
So for an average user, Gnu/Linux seems better than Windows 7 in terms of ease of use.

Since Linux is going to dynamic development, you see latest versions every six moth which allows you to reap benefits of latest technologies instead of waiting for it unless it becomes obsolete.

Since Linux is free of cost, it offers more value for money. Additionally, there is a huge repository of free applications thus you don't have to worry about software. Yes, there are some specialized software (and games -- most hard-core gamers use consoles) which are yet not available under Gnu/Linux, but the gap is bridging at a fast rate.

Increased productivity, almost no virus threats and regular updates make Gnu/Linux better than Microsoft Windows. However, there is tight and healthy fight between Ubuntu 10.04 and openSuse 11.3.

Ubuntu brings with it the goodies of Debian and Gnome. The traditional Gnome makes navigation as easy is slicing butter with hot knife. openSuse uses a bit different approach which I find a bit hard. But, it's all about preferences.  Options are better than a draconian world (read Apple and Microsoft).

One of the major challenges that I faced with openSuse was the graphics driver. I have the latest GTX 470 and a 27 inch monitor. openSuse detected my monitor as a regular 1280x1024 monitor.

Under Ubuntu there is an option called Hardware Drivers which automatically detects the proprietary hardware and offers one click driver install.

Under openSuse, not only this option is missing, but also the forum support was not able to guide me to an immediate fix. It reminded me of 2005 when I started using Linux and had to spend hours on the Internet looking for solutions. Ubuntu has done an excellent job at polishing Gnu/Linux for ordinary home users – Ubuntu Forums are like encyclopedia of troubleshooting.

However, when I tested openSuse on my Dell 1330, everything worked out of the box. I picked Dell 1330 as it is one of the best Linux supported laptops. There is no proprietary hardware on this machine. I was impressed with the speed of openSuse 11.3. After initial testing I dropped the idea of replacing Ubuntu with openSuse on the basis of easy of use for average Joe or aam aadmi. I found Ubuntu's implementation of Gnome/Debian far more organized, as compared to scattered openSuse.

I have decided to stay with Lynx, what are you planning?
 
Here is a visual preview of openSuse 11.3. If you have tested the distro and want to write a review, feel free to send it to us, we will publish YOUR review, with your name in Muktware.com.

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