SuSE Linux 7.2 Available on June 15th

Oakland, CALIFORNIA - 29-05-2001

SuSE 7.2 Delivers Added Security and Multimedia Entertainment

Today, SuSE Linux, the international technology leader and solutions provider in Open Source operating system software, announced the availability of SuSE Linux 7.2 for a June 15 release. The latest version of SuSE's popular Linux package comes with more convenience and performance for deployment on desktops and servers. Building on SuSE's successful launch of 7.1, the newest release highlights increased security and extensive multimedia entertainment features.

The SuSE 7.2 Desktop, based on the graphical user interface KDE 2.1.2, boasts numerous improvements: "Konqueror" combines all features of a web browser and file manager into one single tool. Now Konqueror supports all common web formats, as well as Netscape Communicator plug-ins for displaying flash, RealAudio, and Real Video media.

SSL (Secure Socket Layer) constitutes a secure basis for banking transactions in Linux. In addition, KDE 2.1.2 is a useful tool to perform user-, group-, and company-specific configuration settings. When a new desktop look is desired, one of fourteen full-fledged desktop styles can be selected with a button-click. GTK themes (Gimp Toolkit) and designs of the latest GNOME desktop version 1.4 can also be integrated by choice.

Focus on Security

Security issues for private users and professional users are addressed from installation and throughout the new release. When installing SuSE Linux 7.2, users have the possibility of creating a personal firewall with a mouse click. Anna Kournikova and other viruses are eliminated with AMaViS (A Mail Virus Scanner). AMaViS interacts with all common mail servers. Sensitive information can be stored in encrypted form, e.g. on a laptop, preventing unauthorized disclosure even in the event of theft. This implementation is powered by the "loop back-mounted crypto file system", which provides unencrypted access to data only after successful authentication and subsequent mounting of the file system.

Unlimited Security Update Service

SuSE YOU (YaST Online Update) keeps Linux systems up to date. A few mouse clicks are all that is needed to connect SuSE YOU to the SuSE server and install the latest security updates and bug fixes free of charge.

Big Time Multimedia on SuSE Linux

The sound support in SuSE Linux 7.2 has been improved considerably. A host of applications is provided for music fans, including an MP3 player, a drum computer, and a midi keyboard, and a multi-function editing studio.

Power for Professionals

SuSE Linux 7.2 offers state-of-the-art Linux technology - the advanced Kernel 2.4.4, based on glibc 2.2.2. Administrators of heterogeneous networks are provided with the authentication tool Kerberos5, which is popular within the Windows realm. Easy-to-use YaST2 front-end installation facilitates the configuration of printer subsystems LPD and CUPS and enables toggling between the two systems with a button-click.

The latest release 2.2 of the Windows file and print server Samba is now capable of operating with the Distributed File System by Microsoft. The support of Windows 2000 workstations in Samba domains and the administration of the NT server manager are some of the new features of Samba 2.2. Requested by SuSE's customers, SuSE Linux 7.2 includes the option to set up ext2 and ReiserFS partitions, but also FAT partitions, e.g. for having a shared data pool between Linux and Windows. The YaST2 user administration now supports the setup and administration of new users and groups, not only in the installation stage, but also when the system is up. NFS servers and clients and the LVM (Logical Volume Manager), too, can now be administrated easily by means of new YaST2 modules.

XFree86 4.0.3 is capable of anti-aliasing, allowing the use of smoothed screen fonts in Linux. Just in time for the new currency: Most SuSE Linux applications now support the Euro symbol.

Installation Support Included

From June 15th on, SuSE Linux 7.2 for IA32 will be available directly from the manufacturer as well as from bookstores and software retailers. The recommended retail price is $29.95 for SuSE Linux 7.2 Personal (3 CDs, 3 manuals, 60 days of installation support) and $69.95 for SuSE Linux 7.2 Professional (7 CDs, 1 DVD, 5 manuals, 90 days of installation support).

About SuSE

SuSE Linux is the international technology leader and solutions provider in Open Source operating system software. SuSE's unique expertise in Linux and its largest development team worldwide dedicated to Open Source software has contributed to the recognition of SuSE as the most complete Linux solution available today.

SuSE Linux AG, headquartered in Germany, and SuSE Inc., based in Oakland, CA, are privately held companies focused entirely on supporting the Linux community and Open Source development. With a workforce of more than 500 people worldwide, SuSE has offices throughout Europe, Latin America and in the US.

LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.