The problem runs deeper than this [LWN.net]

The problem runs deeper than this

Posted Jul 14, 2006 17:11 UTC (Fri) by freeio (guest, #9622)
Parent article: SUSE Linux 10.2 Alpha2 Release - and distribution rename

Recent experiences with the commerical version of SuSE 10.1 tell us that Novell has more problems than naming of their distributions. The totally broken package management and update system shipped with SuSE 10.1 prevents me from seriously recommending its use to anyone. It would appear that the decision was made to combine yast, red carpet, and other sources into a great leap forward, with absolutely no backup position if (when) the attempt failed. They shipped off the golden CD to the manufacturers knowing full well that the package management system did not work, and that the very same package management system was the only obvious way to implement any patch to fix itself. They had to meet their (late) ship date, and in truly PHB fashion shipped a very broken distribution. This is truly bizarre behavior.

It would appear that Novell is caught up in a centalized decision making process where the decision makers do not understand the depth of the water they are in, or the rapidity with which a company may sink itself. To see SuSE saddled with the Novell failure modes is truly sad.

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The problem runs deeper than this

Posted Jul 14, 2006 21:10 UTC (Fri) by einstein (subscriber, #2052) [Link]

> Always the optimist, I hope they will get it fixed up before 9.3Pro goes off life support. I've avoided all flavors of 10.x so far.

(?) While there have been some rough edges on the 10.1 packaging, 10.0 has been good for the users I know of, on the desktop and the server.

Despite the teething pains on 10.1, SLES/SLED have performed beautifully here (using the -RC3 version on test machines) and I plan to update my trusty 9.3 desktop to SLED as soon as it's available.

The problem runs deeper than this

Posted Jul 15, 2006 17:28 UTC (Sat) by freeio (guest, #9622) [Link]

The progression of the normal SuSE Linux from being a premium distribution to the hybrid Novell+community model has not proven itself in any way. My experience has been that what made SuSE attractive was the installer and package management facilities. When I bought the SuSE kit I knew I was getting something that would install cleanly and maintain easily, and that Yast was a mature solution to system maintenance. It just worked.

Quite frankly, without a top-notch Yast, SuSE as we knew it has ceased to exist. I assume that the lessons learned will all be applied to SLES/SLED, but not before the reputation damage has been sustained. As the new stuff tester for my employer, I have already recommended that SuSE 10.1 be avoided, and that judgment will stick. Maybe the next version will be better, but maybe not.

The test system upon which I tested SuSE 10.1 has already been reworked, with something less bleeding edge, but very much more mature: Debian. It is entirely a community project, and while not as slick or cutting edge as SuSE, it "just works." That is the first and most important characteristic for production systems out here in user land.