This document introduces openSUSE, a Linux distribution. It discusses openSUSE's community and features such as the YaST installation tool, the KDE desktop environment, and the openSUSE Build Service. Key aspects covered include how YaST can be used to install and manage packages, new technologies in KDE 4 like Plasma and Akonadi, and how the openSUSE community contributes to the project. The document provides an overview of openSUSE and resources for using and participating in its development.

1. Adventures with Geeko:
An Introduction to
openSUSE
Mike McCallister
Writer/Author
ProTek Writing Services

2. © January 30, 2015 Novell Inc.
2
What is openSUSE?
Floor Wax:
• openSUSE the distribution
Dessert Topping
• The openSUSE Community

3. Installing openSUSE 11.3
in 100 seconds

4. Yet another Setup Tool: YaST

5. © January 30, 2015 Novell Inc.
5
What Can You Do with YaST?
•Install
•System Administration
•Package Management

6. KDE 4

7. © January 30, 2015 Novell Inc.
7
openSUSE and KDE
•Long History Together
• Many shared developers
• Long the default desktop
•KDE: Also Schizophrenic
• KDE: No longer an acronym/initialism
• Software Compilation/Collection and Community
•Current Development Gap
• 3-month difference in release dates
– openSUSE 11.3 and KDE 4.4
– openSUSE 11.4 and KDE 4.6

8. © January 30, 2015 Novell Inc.
8
KDE 4: New Technologies
•Phonon: Sound and Video
•Solid: Hardware and other devices
•Nepomuk: Metadata and the Semantic/Social Desktop
•Akonadi: Personal Information Management
•Plasma: Desktop Environment

9. © January 30, 2015 Novell Inc.
9
The Plasma Desktop
•It pretty much works now, really!
•Desktop Tour
• Panels
• Widgets
• Folder View
• The Cashew
•Activities

10. © January 30, 2015 Novell Inc.
10
KDE: Key Applications
•Dolphin and Konqueror
•Kontact PIM
•Konsole
•Kate
•KRunner
•Krusader
•KOffice
•Amarok
•KDevelop

11. OpenSUSE Build Service (OBS)

12. © January 30, 2015 Novell Inc.
12
openSUSE Build Service
•New in v1.2 (released 10/19/2010)
• Enhanced Web Interface
• Git and SVN Integration
• Better access controls
•How Does It Work?
•Demo

13. The openSUSE Community

14. © January 30, 2015 Novell Inc.
14
Community Membership
•“Acknowledged contributors who have brought a
continued and substantial contribution to the project”
•Members sign the Guiding Principles
https://users.opensuse.org/guidingprinciples
•Members are confirmed by openSUSE Board
•Members elect board majority

15. © January 30, 2015 Novell Inc.
15
The Strategy for openSUSE
•Still coming
•Latest Draft, at 2nd
annual openSUSE Conference:
https://lite.co-ment.com/text/lNPCgzeGHdV/view/
•“openSUSE users are looking for an easy and comfortable
computing experience which does not limit their freedom
of choice, offering sane defaults and easy configuration.”

16. © January 30, 2015 Novell Inc.
16
What's Next?
•Version 11.4 currently scheduled for March 2011

17. © January 30, 2015 Novell Inc.
17
The Inevitable Links Page
•OpenSUSE: en.opensuse.org
• Install Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=wrk9LA7P-Ck
•Docs: rtfm.opensuse.org
•KDE: www.kde.org
• Themes and such: www.KDE-Look.org
• Applications: www.KDE-Apps.org
• User training: userbase.kde.org
• KDE Tech: techbase.kde.org

18. © January 30, 2015 Novell Inc.
18
The Inevitable Links Page, Part II
•OpenSUSE Build Service: build.opensuse.org
• Tutorial:
en.opensuse.org/openSUSE:Build_Service_Tutorial
•Community and Strategy Discussion
• Member Directory:
https://users.opensuse.org/membership/list
• Lizards (Member blogs): http://lizards.opensuse.org/
• Strategy Portal: en.opensuse.org/Portal:Strategy
•Mike McCallister: www.michaelmccallister.com
• Notes from the Metaverse: metaverse.wordpress.com
• Email: michael@michaelmccallister.com
• SocNets: WorkingWriter

19. Thanks!
Questions?