SuSE 9.0 advance announcement

SUSE LINUX Releases Latest Advances in Linux Technology

SUSE LINUX 9.0 offers sneak peek at 2.6 Linux kernel, 32/64-bit support, and
easier Windows migration

Nuremberg, September 30, 2003 - SUSE LINUX today announced the availability
of its newest consumer product by October 24th - bringing to the consumer the
latest advances in Linux technology.

SUSE LINUX 9.0 -- the first home user operating system platform to leverage
AMD's Athlon 64 processor -- enables easier Windows migration by supporting
NTFS file systems and also gives experienced users a sneak peek at the
enhanced capabilities of the 2.6 Linux kernel - with many of those
capabilities back-ported into the 2.4 default kernel as well. SUSE's latest
release provides additional administration and tuning features as well as an
expanded slate of software packages.

Support for 32- and 64-bit environments

With release 9.0, SUSE LINUX provides both a version for 32-bit operating
environments and a product for the recently released AMD Athlon 64 processor,
enabling workstation users performance enhancements available only through
the 64-bit architecture.

"We believe that 64-bit applications will rapidly become the standard, and
that's why SUSE had an operating system for the AMD Athlon 64 processor
available at the time of its introduction," said Juergen Geck, chief
technology officer, SUSE LINUX. "Providing customers 64-bit offerings since
1999, SuSE long ago innovated the 64-bit Linux market, and proved the
viability of Linux for high-performance computing. With SUSE LINUX 9.0 for
AMD64, customers can run their 32-bit programs until they are ready to take
full advantage of 64-bit architectures."  

Ease of Migration

Enhanced support for the NTFS file system used by Microsoft Windows enables
users to more easily repartition the hard disk space - giving them the
opportunity to take advantage of the stability and security of Linux, while
maintaining the ability to access the Windows client when/if needed. 

First look at the 2.6 Kernel

SUSE LINUX 9.0 is based on a SUSE optimized Linux kernel 2.4.21, that enables
users to benefit now from many 2.6 kernel enhancements -- including improved
scheduling, advanced Linux sound architecture and greater support for power
management.

For test purposes, 9.0 also contains a test version of the 2.6 kernel -- for
technically skilled users.

Easy Internet access, upgraded applications

SUSE LINUX 9.0 supports a large number of WinModems, frequently provided with
inexpensive laptops. With the new desktop, DSL connections, just like ISDN
cards and modems, are now auto-detected during installation -- configuring
full Internet access with just a few mouse clicks.

Included with SUSE LINUX 9.0 are the latest versions of KDE 3.1.4 and
OpenOffice.org 1.1. Also, the KDE instant messenger "Kopete" now supports all
common services such as AOL, MSN, IRC, ICQ, and Yahoo Messenger.

OpenOffice.org, which includes central office applications for text
processing, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, formulas, and HTML
editing, has been substantially improved. New features in version 1.1 include
the export of PDF files with a mouse click, the import and export of all
kinds of XML formats, and the export of presentation in flash format. A macro
recorder enables the use of command sequences by means of a shortcut, e.g.
for formatting texts and tables. Complex high-end layouts can be done with
the Desktop Publishing program Scribus 1.0.

Multimedia Included

The improved graphical user interface of "k3b", the Linux-based burning
application, facilitates easy DVD creation as well as CD burning. Optimized
allocation of the hardware resources in the Linux kernel ensures professional
sound and video performance - even if other tasks are performed concurrently.

SUSE LINUX 9.0 delivers an extensive collection of audio software -- ranging
from hard disk recording to virtual analog synthesis -- meeting the needs of
professional DJs as well as musicians who want to prepare musical scores and
listen to the result. The new drum computer "Hydrogen" furnishes every music
production with the needed groove.

Simplified Tools, Advanced Tools

The SUSE LINUX application menu has been greatly simplified using vfolder
(virtual folder) technology. With only two levels, the most important
preinstalled applications can be accessed dynamically.

During installation, users have a new option to install 50 Linux tools for
advanced users, including the editor "emacs", the e-mail programs "mutt" and
"pine", and the alternative graphical interfaces "WindowMaker" and
"Blackbox". Another new feature is the "SUSE System Doctor", a rescue system
for restoring the system following the unintentional destruction or deletion
of system-critical files.

Server Services for All
SUSE's system assistant YaST (Yet another Setup Tool) offers a number of
useful and practical upgrades. A new YaST module and Samba 2.2.8a enable even
inexperienced Linux users to network Linux and Windows systems in no time.
DNS, DHCP, and web servers for the home network can easily be configured by
means of graphical dialogs. The new XNTP module allows the host to be
synchronized with an atomic clock time server. Apart from the widespread
Internet protocol IPv4, the next generation IPv6 is also supported.

SUSE LINUX 9.0 now includes User Mode Linux (UML). This systems enables users
to host one or more complete Linux instances simultaneously. Experienced
users can perform tasks like kernel debugging, virtual hosting, and security
environments in SUSE LINUX without endangering their running system.

An Answer to Every Question

The printed documentation has been expanded to 1,050 pages. The "User Guide"
provides detailed information on KDE programs such as the scanning
application "Kooka", the appointment and task organizer "Korganizer", and the
encryption of e-mail messages with "GNU Privacy Guard". New: a chapter for
the GNOME desktop, the browser "Mozilla", and the data synchronization of
Palm PDAs. The "Administration Guide" features new chapters covering the LDAP
directory service, the Apache web server, and an updated chapter on Samba.

Availability and Pricing 

SUSE LINUX 9.0 will be available at software retailers from October 24. The
recommended retail price for SUSE LINUX 9.0 Personal (3 CDs, User Guide, 60
days of installation support) is EUR 49,95. The price for SUSE LINUX 9.0
Professional (5 CDs, 1 double DVD, User Guide and Administration Guide, 90
days of installation support) is EUR 89,95. SUSE LINUX 9.0 Professional for
AMD64 is EUR 119,95.

For more information, go to an interview with Chris Schläger, Director of
Distribution Development, SUSE LINUX, and see what is new in SUSE LINUX 9.0:
http://www.suse.de/en/private/products/suse_linux/preview/interview.html

About SUSE LINUX

Established in 1992, SUSE LINUX is one of the world's leading providers of
Linux software and services. With the largest dedicated Linux research and
development team, SUSE delivers enterprise-ready software and services that
harness the innovation, speed-to-market and independence of the open source
community. A privately-held compan based in Nuremberg, Germany, SUSE --
together with global business partners -- supports customers throughout the
world. For further information on SUSE LINUX, please visit www.suse.de/en/.

Press Contact:
SUSE LINUX AG 
Martina Krahmer
Deutschherrnstr. 15-19
90429 Nuremberg , Germany
Phone: +49-911-74053-507
Fax: +49-911-741 77 55
E-Mail:  martina.krahmer@suse.de