So what's so great about opensuse?

[bals28mjk]

What's so great about it? I've installed it with the kde gui. Is it faster with less errors as opposed to windows operating systems? I'm a relatively new user considering this is my first day using it and my first linux distribution. Idk someone sell me on this. It seems like windows with less applications.

[oz]

But you see, that's just the thing... you personally might not like it any more or any less than Windows. Of course, you have to give any Linux distribution a fair chance before you can really compare it accurately with another operating system, or even another distro for that matter.

In the end, you should use whatever OS or Linux distribution works best for you and your computer hardware, regardless of what someone else might think about it.

[jayd512]

It seems like windows with less applications.

This might help with the applications part... Linux App Finder | Helping find the Linux apps you need
And yes, Linux is 'like Windows' in the same way that a Porsche 911 is like a John Deere tractor.

As ozar mentioned, you need to give Linux an opportunity to show you what it can, or can't, do for you.

[oz]

Just a quick note to remind you to be sure to try using your package manager before trying to install any packages from source, unless you know what you are doing and wish to install from source. You can check the following HowTo for different methods of installing software under Linux:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/lin...are-linux.html

[bals28mjk]

Lol linux being the porsche? I like your similie. I'm giving it a chance, just wondering what it does besides a bunch of widgets.

And I don't know what I'm doing. This is my first day using it. I'll check out your links in the next day or two. At this point I really don't have time to think, just wondering what's good about it and linux and general. Thanks for the feedback.

[MikeTbob]

What's so great about it? Idk someone sell me on this.

Can you install 1000's a programs in Windows, with one command or very few mouse clicks, without a CD/DVD or nodding your head at an End User Licensing Agreement? These distros like Suse may only come with a few applications installed but there are literally 1000's to choose from. All available with a few clicks or a simple command or two.

[jayd512]

Lol linux being the porsche?

You better believe it! But then again, I'm a bit biased
A more fair comparison for you...
Let's say you've been using Windows since Win95 or before. Suddenly, you get a new model Apple computer. One running Snow Leopard, for example. Very shiny, very pretty.
And next to nothing is going to look familiar to you.

This might be a better way to think about it, since some distros are moving to Gnome 3 or Unity, which has a Mac-ish look to it.

But with that new Mac, you'd want to give it a fair shake, find equivalent programs to replace the MS software that you're used to using. You can do this with both the link that I posted, and with Yast, your package manger in openSUSE.

[oz]

Linux is 'like Windows' in the same way that a Porsche 911 is like a John Deere tractor.

lol... even then, those users that actually need a tractor should be using one rather than a Porche.

[bals28mjk]

Can't you do a batch install from the command prompt or something? I am kind of hoping this os won't waste my time with pointless crap like windows does. Windows pisses me off a lot, like for example a lot of startup programs install by default and waste my ram. I'm hoping this os won't do stuff like that. The 1000 program install in a few clicks is pretty cool.

[jayd512]

Linux is pretty good about handling memory allocation. It also doesn't suffer from fragmentation or system rot.
If there are programs that you don't want starting on boot and using your resources, turn them off.

I'm not really sure about batch installs... never had a reason to do so, personally.

As far as installing software, in general... simple.
Look through your System menu, find Yast.
When it opens, you'll have categories of SW to choose from (Education, Office, etc.).
Select something to install, give your root password, let the magic happen.