Product Reviews

Linux has long been touted as a cheap but powerful alternative to Windows, and some people are happy to run it as their only operating system. If you already own a PC, though, you'll probably want to hang on to your Windows programs and documents rather than abandon them and start afresh. This latest version of SuSE Linux Personal has been designed to make the transition as easy as possible. It runs alongside Windows, giving you the choice of which to use.

SuSE Linux Personal 9.1 comes on two discs. The first 'live taster' disc allows you to run a basic Linux system from the CD without even changing any data on your hard disk - perfect if you want to try it out without the risk of damaging Windows.

The second CD installs Linux next to an existing Windows installation. It does this by resizing the Windows partition and using the reclaimed space as its own. Installation is simple as you can pretty much just accept the defaults presented to you and press the install button. After a reboot and the choosing of a root password, the system is scanned, automatically configured and then you're running Linux. There are no fiddly

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registration codes, no activation notices popping up and, best of all, no paperclips asking if you're writing a letter.

The bundled KDE desktop takes a more straightforward approach than Windows XP and presents categories such as Games, Internet and Office at the top level. This is such a clean interface that you may be forgiven for thinking that the distribution comes with very little, but in fact it's packed to the rafters. Creative types will find everything they need supplied free, and open-source software means that you can download even more equally freely.

The OpenOffice 1.1.1 suite is included, which is compatible with Microsoft Office. This contains a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation software and a drawing package, as well as a number of document templates. Because it co-exists with Windows, SuSE Linux Personal 9.1 can also read files from your Windows installation directly.

The excellent Gnu Image Manipulation Program 2.0 (GIMP) can give expensive programs such as Adobe's Photoshop a serious run for their money. Also included are packages covering multimedia, web browsing, chat, email and Usenet. A wide selection of games come as standard, too, including chess, card games and the classic FreeCiv empire-building game.

Also bundled is YaST, the impressive system configuration tool. This now gives almost complete control over the Linux environment without the need to fiddle about with configuration files or command lines. If you intend to delve into Linux's powerful innards, though, an extensive command-line environment also comes as standard.

If you've never dipped your toe into the Linux water before, this distribution provides an excellent companion to Windows.