OpenSUSE Linux has really evolved over the last several years. The Gnome interface is really clean, intuitive, and easy to use and YaST has simplified software management. OpenSUSE 10.2, being Open Source is unable to include video drivers with 3D acceleration and DVD decoding, but now supports MP3s. However, installing these features is not all that difficult.
YaST Configuration
Yet Another Setup Tool (YaST) is the main control center for Suse, including software management. YaST can be configured to use various software repositories that contain the latest source files, updates and the cool programs your after.
Open YaST and select Installation Source from the Software node. My Suse 10.2 installation has 3 installation sources listed, including the local CD-ROM. During the installation process you had the option of adding the following catalogs:
http://download.opensuse.org/distribution/10.2/repo/oss/
http://download.opensuse.org/distribution/10.2/repo/non-oss/
For the latest updates, add the Packman mirror site (this Novel TID provides additional mirror sites for updates):
Click the Add button and select HTTP, then Next and enter the following:
Server Name: packman.unixheads.com
Directory: /suse/10.2/
When prompted, import the public key used to sign the RPM packages.
Click Finish to save the changes, this will take several minutes. You will then notice that ZENworks displays available updates, I have 29 new updates listed. Double click the Orange circle, click Add Privileged User and enter the root password, then click Update. After several minutes, click Apply to apply the listed changes. During the update I was also prompted to insert my Suse installation media.
NVidia Video Drivers
Linux does not ship with 3D hardware acceleration, and you can prove it to yourself by previewing any of the GL Screen Savers, playing Tux or Chromium. YaST is used to install the video driver, and is a big improvement over recompiling the kernel. Full instructions are available on the NVidia web site.
Add the following repository to YaST:
http://download.nvidia.com/opensuse/10.2
Next, open Software Management in YaST, search for nvidia, select and install the following drivers:
nvidia-gfxG01-kmp-default
x11-video-nvidiaG01
Now reboot and you should see a full screen NVidia logo displayed just before the logon prompt.
EyeCandy
Now for the fun stuff, Suse 10.2 now includes the XGL and Compiz. This was a separate download and configuration in version 10.1. Open Control Center -> Look and Feel -> Desktop Effects. Click the Enable Desktop Effects button and logout when prompted then log back on.
Your desktop now wraps around a 4 sided cube. Hold down <Ctrl><Alt> then press the right or left arrows to rotate your desktop, it’s just tool cool (I’m easily amused with this). Using the <Ctrl><Alt> and pressing the down arrow flattens the screens, allowing you to then scroll right or left.
Now open an application, such as firefox, and reposition it on the screen with the top toolbar and notice that it ripples.
All these settings are configurable in the Look and Feel Settings.
Video Codecs
Suse 10.2 installs with Totem, a Movie Player, but after updates will not play back an encrypted DVD, displaying an error message refering to libdvdcss.
Start by opening Software Management, searching for w32 and installing w32codec-all.
Now you need to install a video decoder from VideoLAN. For a 32bit system, install the following: http://download.videolan.org/pub/libdvdcss/1.2.9/rpm/libdvdcss-1.2.9-1.i386.rpm
However, for a 64bit system you must download and compile the software:
Download http://download.videolan.org/pub/libdvdcss/1.2.9/libdvdcss-1.2.9.tar.gz
Open Gnome Terminal, enter su and the root password when prompted
Changed directories to the file you downloaded and extract the files:
tar xvfz libdvdcss-1.2.9.tar.gz
Change directories to the extracted files:
cd libdvdcss-1.2.9
Run the configure program:
./configure
Run the make command to build the files:
make
Install the new library:
make install
Reboot your computer, put a movie in and enjoy!
Wallpaper
If youre needing additional wallpaper to dress up the desktop, check out gnome-look, kde-look, or deviantart.
