openSUSE 11.2 is out

Hi all,

The openSUSE Project is pleased to announce the release of openSUSE 11.2[1].
openSUSE 11.2 includes new versions of GNOME, KDE, OpenOffice.org, Firefox,
the Linux kernel, and many, many more updates and improvements. In 11.2 you'll
find more than 1,000 open source desktop applications. openSUSE also includes
a full suite of server software and a rich selection of open source
development tools.

Please take a moment to Digg the announcement here: http://digg.com/d319pa7

You can find a bevy of screenshots[2] and more on the openSUSE wiki, and a
lengthy list of packages and version numbers on DistroWatch[3].

Let's take a look at some of the more interesting features of openSUSE 11.2!

openSUSE Desktop
================

As always, openSUSE provides everything you need to get started with Linux on
the desktop.

openSUSE 11.2 includes KDE 4.3 as the "default" desktop. If you install from
DVD without changing anything, you'll have the KDE desktop by default.
However, we still provide GNOME as an equal choice, and Xfce and other window
managers as alternative desktops too!

KDE 4.3 is a major update to the KDE platform. It includes improved networking
support, and work to make Firefox and OpenOffice.org better integrated with
the KDE enviroment. The openSUSE Project also worked closely with the KDE
Project on theming and branding to provide a look and feel that meshes both
projects nicely.

You'll also find plenty of GNOME greatness in openSUSE 11.2 as well. GNOME
2.28, the latest release of the popular GNOME desktop, is included with 11.2.
This release includes a brand new theme, improved software update application,
improvements in GNOME's Webcam and video application, and many other
enhancements and improvements to prepare the GNOME platform for GNOME 3.0 in
2010.

OpenOffice.org 3.1 is a complete office productivity suite compatible with
Microsoft Office. This release includes improvements in change tracking and
collaboration in Writer, and major improvements to the drawing application.

Social networking gets a boost in 11.2 with the addition of GNOME and KDE
microblogging clients that handle multiple social network sites, Gwibber[4],
and Choqok[5].

With openSUSE 11.2, you have the ability to install GNOME or KDE live media
from USB, and numerous improvements to make openSUSE 11.2 much better on
netbooks.

Under the Hood
==============

The desktop improvements are the most noticeable, but there's plenty going on
under the hood as well in openSUSE 11.2.

Storage improvements include the ability to encrypt the entire hard disk, for
users concerned about data security. Users can also take advantage of the next
generation of filesystems for Linux with Ext4 or btrfs. In case you'd like to
learn more about the new kernel features you can go at KernelNewbies.org[6]
and have a look at the "cool stuff" part.

Want to manage remote openSUSE servers with a Web interface? That day is
coming soon! openSUSE 11.2 users can install[7] the first technology preview
of WebYaST: a Web-based remote administration tool for openSUSE systems.

Finally, you can upgrade in-place using Zypper! Though it's been possible to
do an upgrade in place for some time, with caution, it's finally a
"recommended" method of upgrade with openSUSE 11.2. For users who want to move
from 11.1 to 11.2 using "zypper dup," see Andreas Jaeger's post on
Lizards[8] about the process. It's quick, it's easy, and almost competely
painless.

Linux for Education
===================

The openSUSE Build Service provides thousands of applications as 1-click
packages to enhance your experience on openSUSE 11.2. The openSUSE Education
Community provides hundreds of Educational applications suitable for students
of all ages, parents, teachers and IT administrators of educational
institutions via the Build Service.

The 11.2 release will be followed closely by a very special spin, Li-f-e:
Linux for Education. Li-f-e contains GNOME, KDE as well the the award-winning
Sugar learning environment for children. With packages from the Packman
repository, Li-f-e provides everything required to get rich multimedia
experience too.

Media and Download
==================

openSUSE is now available for immediate download! You have several choices of
installation media and live CDs (which are also installable).

  * openSUSE 11.2 Installable DVD 32-bit

  * openSUSE 11.2 Installable DVD 64-bit

  * openSUSE 11.2 GNOME 32-bit Live CD

  * openSUSE 11.2 GNOME 64-bit Live CD

  * openSUSE 11.2 KDE 32-bit Live CD

  * openSUSE 11.2 KDE 64-bit Live CD

**Booting openSUSE 11.2 from a USB key**: get one of the Live CDs available
above, and can copy it to a USB key with the following command:


    dd if=image.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M

Replace "image.iso" with the name of the ISO image that you have downloaded,
and replace "sdX" with the actual device name of your USB drive. Be careful!
This will erase the target device, so make sure you have the correct device
name and have any vital data backed up!

We want to hear from you!
=========================

The openSUSE Project has many channels of communication[9]! Whether you
prefer forums, email, or IRC, there are plenty of ways to communicate about
openSUSE.

  * The official openSUSE forums.

  * Mailing Lists: be sure to sign up for the mailing lists that fit your
interests!

  * IRC: #opensuse[10] on irc.freenode.net and other channels[11].

  * Jabber, usenet, and more[9].

To keep up to date with openSUSE, be sure to keep an eye on openSUSE
News[12] and watch Planet SUSE[13] for blog posts from the openSUSE
community. We also update the @opensuse account on Twitter[14] and
Identi.ca[15] regularly with news about the project.

**Want to help the openSUSE Project? To get involved with openSUSE see the
How to Participate[16] page on the openSUSE wiki. We can use lots of
different skills[17] to help the project, so feel free to jump in!**

Thanks!
=======

openSUSE 11.2 represents the combined effort of hundreds of developers who
participate in openSUSE, and thousands of developers in upstream projects that
are shipped in openSUSE. The contributors, inside and outside the openSUSE
Project, should be proud of this release, and they deserve a major "thank you"
for all of the hard work and care that have gone into 11.2.

When we say "contributor," we don't mean only developers and packagers. This
includes translators, openSUSE Ambassadors, the openSUSE Board, and the users
who help power our forums and support users who are taking their first steps
into Linux.

We are confident that openSUSE 11.2 is the best openSUSE release yet, and that
it will help to encourage the use of Linux everywhere! We hope that you
**_have a lot of fun_** while you use openSUSE 11.2!

[1]: http://software.opensuse.org/

[2]: http://en.opensuse.org/Screenshots/11.2

[3]: http://distrowatch.com/suse

[4]: http://en.opensuse.org/Gwibber

[5]: http://bit.ly/1HmB3L

[6]: http://kernelnewbies.org/LinuxChanges

[7]: http://en.opensuse.org/YaST/Web/Installation

[8]: http://bit.ly/gJvFo

[9]: http://en.opensuse.org/Communicate

[10]: irc://irc.freenode.net/opensuse/

[11]: http://en.opensuse.org/Communicate/IRC

[12]: http://news.opensuse.org/

[13]: http://www.planetsuse.org/

[14]: http://twitter.com/opensuse

[15]: http://identi.ca/opensuse

[16]: http://en.opensuse.org/How_to_Participate

[17]: http://bit.ly/1MsJpd

-- 
Joe 'Zonker' Brockmeier <jzb@zonker.net>
openSUSE Community Manager
Twitter: jzb | Identica: jzb
About: http://www.dissociatedpress.net/about/
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