5 Reasons to Try OpenSUSE 11.4

14.03.2011
With hundreds of to choose from, users of the open source operating system face what may almost be called an embarrassment of riches, so numerous are their options.

Of course there's --by far the most frequently downloaded and popular version of Linux, according to Distrowatch. Then there's --my second favorite--along with , , and , to name just a few.

Another very popular distro is openSUSE, which currently holds Distrowatch's No. 5 spot. Version 11.4 of the Novell-backed software was just released last week, and it features a number of compelling additions and updates that could make it the right choice for your business. Here's a small taste of what you can expect.

1. Stability and Power

Stability is a key focus of the openSUSE project, and the base system of this latest release is no exception. In addition, however, it adds better scalability and performance and an enhanced boot process, among other improvements.

Based on version 2.6.37 of , the software takes advantage of numerous enhancements in that version, including better scalability of virtual memory management and separation of terminal users' tasks. The new kernel also brings additional hardware support, as I've noted before, including open Broadcom wireless drivers and improved Wacom support.