About two weeks ago, the openSUSE Project released version 11.3 of its popular Linux distribution, and after putting it off for quite a while, I decided to give the latest version a download and see what SUSE has been up to.

I recently upgraded from openSuse 10.2 to openSuse 10.3, I did it the usual way, formatted my Linux partition and installed the new version. Just like 10.2, 10.3 installed without a hitch, recognized all my hardware, except my ATI Radeon X1300(more about this demonic device later).

Over the course of a few years, and after openSUSE was launched, the relationship of openSUSE internally has been one of constant rediscovery and also lethargy. openSUSE heaveily relies on the power of the community and their votes on certain issues, features, etc. Simply put, openSUSE is democratic.

A few weeks ago, the OpenSUSE Project announced the release of OpenSUSE 11.0, the "community" edition of SUSE Linux, Novell's commercial Linux distribution. Like most recent distributions, OpenSUSE is made up of the usual suspects, including GNOME and KDE-based desktops, Live CD and full DVD installation options, and an online repository of software that can be installed using a GUI tool.

While openSUSE is my preferred distribution for server installations, my desktop use of it has been somewhat more sporadic. However, while reformatting my laptop from Mint to a Windows 7-Linux dual boot, I decided to give 11.3 a try.

The openSUSE Project is proud to announce the release of openSUSE 11.0. The 11.0 release of openSUSE includes more than 200 new features specific to openSUSE, a redesigned installer that makes openSUSE even easier to install, faster package management thanks to major updates in the ZYpp stack, and KDE 4, GNOME 2.22, Compiz Fusion, and much more.

I've never been a big fan of SuSE/openSUSE in the past. It's always felt like a mixed bag to me. Due to some coursework I need to perform for my university I felt I was best served by a distribution that has a very large package repository.

While openSUSE community are preparing to release openSUSE 11.2 in the next month, I decide to discover what's new in openSUSE 11.2. I downloaded the RC1 image and start play with it. In short, it is fast, stable and beautiful.

While 11.2 is still months away there’s still plenty of activity going on with openSUSE. In addition to last week’s milestone release, you can also get your hands on openSUSE 11.1 Reloaded. This is a respin of openSUSE 11.1, including KDE 4.2.2 packages and updates to 11.1.