Advantages: Fast, easy to use,
Disadvantages: no gui for installing packages or software.

...Suse 9.3 is an excellent operating system which incorporates KDE 3.4 and Gnome 2.0 which are two of the best desktops on the market. Suse 9.3 far exceeds Microsoft XP as an operating system it is extremely stable with the added advantage that Suse 9.3 is free to down load from the Novell website or it may be pick up off the front of any linux magazine its alternative Microsoft office will set you back £350. Suse 9.3 comes with major software packages that are just as good or better than Microsoft Office in particular Open Office 2.0 is far better than Office XP in all areas except one and that is Microsoft Office comes with Access Database and open office has a database package which is not as good. Suse 9.3 has been preceeded by 10.0 which i have tested and is even better. Network set up in Suse 9.3 is done by the system... Read review

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Advantages: very easy to use very simular to windows / MAC
Disadvantages: NONE

...Linux is poping up every where these days and it is said that 80% of internet servers are Unix / Linux based. So what is available for me and you the home or new to linux user. SuSE linux brought to you by Novell is a great home or business linux solution. it comes pretty complete with almost any piece of software you could need in the box. i recomend SUSE because of its ease of use and simularity to windows or mac depending which you choose at start up. this can all sound very confusing but is very simple, In linux you have a choice of GUI (graphical user interface - windows) 2 known popular GUIs are GNOME and KDE. gthe GNOME desktop enviorment is very like macs OSx and the KDE desktop environment is very like windows. and you can choose which to use at logon with one click. the installation process is very simple and if you... Read review

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Advantages: One of the best mainstream Linux Distros to get
Disadvantages: Not very good if you are not familiar with the KDE and linux Operating Environments

...SuSE Linux 8.2 – Personal Edition How I Became a Linux Fan…….well, who wouldn’t? I decided to change over to Linux after hearing great of the great stability, reliability and what other people had said about it. I read reviews, guides and opinions on just about every distribution of Linux that I could find. I had almost given up my search, thinking about how much I don’t like windows and its annoying blockish feel to the whole GUI, I still kept searching and decided to go for one of the mainstream Linux distributions. I found that one of the best ones to get apparently was SuSE Linux 8.2, not 9 or 9.1 since they are not as good and host less features than 8.2. I decided that I would but it, although you can get it totally free of any of their mirror ftp sites that host and you only have to pay for your connection charge... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to install, Reliable, good support
Disadvantages: Costly if you do not require support.

...if the computer is going to be for home and family use you will want a set up almost like windows, with word porocessors, games, multimedia capability. Whereas if you are using your computer for office than the chances are you will not require games or multimedia, but you may reqire networking tools, or servers. There are packages available for almost any requirement. Linux was also very famous for being dificult to use. Not true nowadays. With the increasing use of graphical desktops, linux is now almost as easy to use as windows. Suse comes with a range of GUI's (graphical user interface) to choose from, including KDE and Gnome. When you purchase Suse linux you will also be given 30 days of free telephone support. This can be very usefull if you experience problems with your instalation or operation. If however you are an experienced user... Read review

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Advantages: stable, low price, firewall, much software
Disadvantages: not the newest Version from Suse

...Suse Linux 8.2 is the Suse Version which was sold by Suse 3 years ago. Since this time I use this Suse Version. At the begin I used it on a desctop PC, then on a backup Server, on a Firewall and on a Internet Server. Time to write a review! On my desktop PC I used in the meanwhile Suse 9.0, 9.1 and currently 9.3. The package come with 5 CD's and a book. Installation: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The installation is easy. As the distribution is not the newest, I would suggest to install on a new PC the newest (currently 10.0) Version that the distribution is able to dedect the newest hardware. I inserted CD 1 into my CD drive and made a Computer boot. One minute later I choosed the language, and Suse suggested a possibility for the harddisc partition. It is possible to change the Suse suggestion. The Suse suggestion is good and useful... Read review

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Advantages: Stable, Cheap and Bundled with loads of Extras. Geared for networking and the Internet.
Disadvantages: Doesn't fully support Windows Software. Only a few games.

...for Windows will have a Linux port. This is good news for an Operating System that not only delivers quality but is free. 4)Cost My copy cost me £30 from PC World. What am I paying for. Well, I could download it off the Suse site but that would take me several weeks of 24/7 access. Believe me, I tried. The cost involves the packaging, the manuals and CDs and the 60 day installation support you receive. You are also paying Suse for creating YaST and making it simple to install a Linux system. The Linux kernal, the X Server, StarOffice, Netscape and all the other goodies are free. £30 for me was well worth it. 5)Updates As I get problems or discover new resources I will post the updates here for all to read.... Read review

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Advantages: More programs, better hardware support and easier setup
Disadvantages: Lots of stuff you don't need

...SUSE are renowned for making really good and full distributions of Linux. I've always made a point of buying the professional version (usually around £50) and nothing less. I've been buying it since around SUSE 6.2 and it has always been top of my books. SUSE bundle everything you could possibly need, and loads of stuff you don't. Quite often you find some funky stickers and maybe a case badge, keyring or pin badge depending on the edition. But to the important stuff! SUSE produce a serious manual with their products. Few newbies know that everything you could possibly need to know is installed and can be accessed with the MAN command, but this information is usually technical and less user friendly. The manuals make everything less technical, more straight forward and take you step by step for all different kinds of setup... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap and wide range of additional features
Disadvantages: Not for the feint of heart or novice user

...to specific parts of the software, there is no overall central control. Most, but not all, distributions can be obtained free of charge, as downloads from the Internet. As many distributions are contained in up to 5 CD-ROMs, unless you have broadband connectivity, it would simply take too long to download from a standard modem. The primary source for Linux is therefore on DVD cover-disks, or as a packaged product over the counter at your local PC store. Sometimes enterprising individuals will download Linux on your behalf, and sell you the disks at little more than cost of duplication, they advertise in the back pages of the computer press, or offer them at auction on Ebay. It's worth pointing out that Linux isn't just designed to run on standard IBM compatible personal computers - it can and is available on some quite serious... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent VFM compared to Windows and Office
Disadvantages: Some set-up processes not clearly defined

...a system “by and for” hobbyists. I suppose Linux will be finding favour with some companies setting up LANs though; especially those with UNIX servers. With the luxury of an IT department to do the configuration for you, leaving you just to use the thing, then “mucho dinero” could be saved compared to the cost of umpteen Windows site-licences, since users will find it very similar to operate to any of the Windows 9* family. As and when I lick the printer problem, I’ll be back!... Read review

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Advantages: Free software, no virus worries, stable and reliable.
Disadvantages: Operating systems are not easy to install and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

...to hesitate is the section on disk partitioning. If you are building a dual boot system, do not choose the automatic disk partitioning option. Instead, you will need to select the space that you have just freed up and configure you Linux partitions manually from that. The next big step will be the selection of packages. The installation screen lists all the workstation options down the left hand side and all the server options on the right hand side. If desktop apps are what you are interested in, and you can afford just over 1 GB for the installation, my advice is to check everything in the left hand column. This way, you can be fairly sure that you get what you need. If you have dial up access to the internet, it is worth noting that most internal modem are what is know as winmodems, contollerless modems or software modems. Not all... Read review

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