openSUSE is a project that focuses on the sage of open-source and free software. Any person who has an interest in using open-source software should learn more about it. It is a project that has created a major impact on open-source software available out there as well.
What exactly is openSUSE?
openSUSE is one of the Linux distributions. Hence, it is available in the form of free and open-source software. People who get openSUSE will be able to receive tested rolling releases as well as long-term support. Furthermore, the version of openSUSE available as of now is a highly stable one. Hence, no person should worry about getting hold of it.
Current distributions of openSUSE
There are three main distributions available under openSUSE as of now. You can go through the information related to those distributions and get hold of the best distribution out of them.
- openSUSE Tumbleweed
openSUSE Tumbleweed refers to the flagship openSUSE project. This is the most stable release available, forgetting. People who get openSUSE Tumbleweed will receive quick updates as it is provided with tested rolling releases. In other words, it will be possible for the users to keep on getting new software each day. If there is an issue, it is possible to restore into a previous update in a short period of time. Due to the same reason, people who use openSUSE Tumbleweed will not have to worry too much about releases.
- openSUSE Leap
openSUSE Leap refers to the stable classic distribution of openSUSE. It is provided with a stable release every single year. On the other hand, we can also see how releases are offered in between bug fixes and security fixes. Hence, openSUSE Leap can be considered as an attractive operating system available out there to get. However, people who go for this operating system on their desktops will need to understand the maintenance effort associated with it.
- openSUSE MicroOS
openSUSE MicroOS is the minimalist version of openSUSE available for you to get. This is a transactional and self-maintained system. The main focus of this system is to help people in going forward with edge computing. However, it is possible to use this as a container runtime as well. In the meantime, some people are provided the chance to use it in a desktop system. It is addressing the requirements of people related to cloud computing and edge computing in a unique way. That’s because it will reduce the need for maintenance by going through a read-only file system. This will minimize the changes that can take place accidentally. On the other hand, it will minimize the damages that can happen due to malware attacks.
Features of openSUSE
At the time of getting openSUSE, it is worthy of understanding the features that come with it. So here are the most prominent features that openSUSE is offering as of now.
- YaST Control Center
You will have to go through the installation of openSUSE via YaST Control Center. On the other hand, all administration work in this Linux distribution will need to be done through YaST Control Center. It handles all the admin tasks such as system setup, hard disk partitioning, online updates, RPM package management, firewall configuration, and network configuration.
- AutoYaST
AutoYaST can assist with the automatic installation of new updates. It is having configurations maintained within an XML file. Thus, the installation would take place without the need to have any user interaction at all.
- WebYaST
WebYaST is the name given for the web interface of YaST. Thus, there is a possibility to configure the settings that come along with it and the updates. On the other hand, it is quite effective with shutting down and even checking the host’s status as well.
- Build service
The Open Build Service provides software developers the chance to compile, release, and publish their software without a challenge. Due to the presence of this service, openSUSE has become quite popular among the developers out there. It has the ability to make life easy for all developers by providing them with a simplified packaging process. On the other hand, it is offering a single program for numerous distributions as well.
History of openSUSE
The openSUSE project was fully sponsored by SUSE, Tuxedo Computers, B1-Systems, and ARM. They are responsible for maintaining the different distributions of openSUSE. All these distributions are based upon Linux.
However, it is important to note that openSUSE is not all about tools and distributions. The project is providing access to a comprehensive web portal, which ensures the involvement of the community. In fact, the community is helping to ensure continuous developments that are taking place in openSUSE along with the corporate sponsors who support it. This is done via OpenQA and Open Build Service.
Since openSUSE is another Linux distribution, it is possible to find the common features available with traditional Linux distributions. For example, openSUSE is offering a graphical user interface. It is possible to get hold of a command-line interface out of this as well. On the other hand, you will find GUIs present in openSUSE, which include Xfce, MATE, Cinnamon, KDE, and GNOME. As of now, openSUSE is offering support to a large number of software packages, which are under open source and free software development initiatives.
Should you get openSUSE?
openSUSE is a decent Linux distribution that you can get as an operating system. If you are happy with what it offers, you can go ahead and get hold of it without keeping any doubts in mind. As of now, the operating system is compatible with a variety of hardware specifications. Hence, getting openSUSE will not be a major challenge.