SUSE LINUX Professional 9.2 comes with latest open source functionality, including 2.6 Linux kernel enhancements, KDE 3.3 and GNOME 2.6 desktop environments
Novell raises the bar for mobility on Linux with simple system configuration and support for Bluetooth and wireless LANs
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 6 October 2004 : Novell announced today at GITEX 2004 the November availability of SUSE LINUX Professional 9.2, providing Linux newcomers and enthusiasts with the latest advancements in open source technology.
Novell also proclaimed that GITEX had provided exciting new business leads, valuable contacts with regional business leaders and the opportunity to update and inform channel partners about the company's latest developments.
"Returning to GITEX on a grand scale has been a worthwhile investment for Novell," said Steve Brown, Novell Regional Vice President for the UK, Middle East and South Africa. "As the region's premier IT trade show, GITEX has given Novell the chance to accelerate towards its goal of being the vendor of choice for customers moving to Linux, and to introduce exciting new products to our Middle East customers."
SUSE LINUX Professional 9.2 comes complete with comprehensive installation media, documentation and technical support and is available for standard 32-bit PC processors as well as AMD Athlon* 64 and Intel* Extended Memory 64 Technology. It is the de facto standard for retail Linux and passes another milestone in the evolution of Linux viability for the mass market.
Raising the Bar for Mobility on Linux
In version 9.2, SUSE LINUX Professional now offers Bluetooth* wireless support including automatic recognition of Bluetooth-enabled devices via the YaST central configuration and administration tool. Bluetooth configuration can be easily set up through YaST, and the software also makes it easy to connect to and move between wireless LANs (WLAN) and other network connections. Its advanced power management through ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) and suspend-to-disk features also make it easy for laptop users who require the increased mobility this affords.
"Novell is proud to offer a consumer product that brings together the latest open source functionality and has again set the highest standard in terms of usability in the Linux home user market. We have incorporated customer requests and recommendations, providing them with a feature-rich and comprehensive open source operating system, and we are convinced this offering will enable many more home users to switch from an alternative system to SUSE LINUX Professional 9.2 with confidence and ease."
Novell's impressive exhibition area at the show attracted strong interest from business leaders who were keen to get involved in the interactive displays. Providing a team of experts to meet with potential customers helped Novell to win significant business leads at the show. Business leaders from sectors ranging from energy and hospitality to healthcare and education watched demonstrations on everything from Novell Linux Desktop and Enterprise Linux Platforms to Service Orientated Architecture and Identity Management.
"The demand for Linux-based solutions is on the rise in the Middle East and by having some of Novell's leading experts at here at GITEX to speak with interested sector heads has given us the chance to pursue some very interesting projects," explained Brown.
"The main priority for visitors was to find out how Novell could help them to keep operating costs at a minimum. We made it clear that Novell can help organizations leverage the security, reliability, value and flexibility of open source with confidence, knowing they have the backing of a global leader," he added.
During GITEX Dubai 2004, Novell offered free Linux training for all new partners that joined the Novel Partner Program during the show. "The response to this program was overwhelming, which just further demonstrates how strong the interest in Linux really is across the Middle East."
Visitors to Novell's stand also eagerly took part in informal discussion sessions covering a range of topics - from the Ximian and SUSE acquisitions, and upcoming release of Novell's Open Enterprise Server, to Novell's one Net world vision.
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Notes to the Editor:
New Features and Top Applications
With more than 3,500 packages including office, Internet, e-mail and multimedia software, server services for home networks and development tools, SUSE LINUX Professional 9.2 provides Linux users with one of the most powerful and versatile PC operating systems ever. New features and application highlights include:
- KDE 3.3 and GNOME 2.6 graphical desktop environments for enhanced usability and desktop comfort.
- OpenOffice.org 1.1.3, a complete Word-, Excel- and PowerPoint-compatible office suite.
- Novell Evolution* 2.0, the newest community edition of the popular Linux e-mail and personal information client, with integrated support for Microsoft* Exchange 2000/2003 connectivity, compatibility with Novell GroupWise using IMAP, plus support for a broad set of standard e-mail protocols.
- GIMP 2, a comprehensive image processing and graphics creation tool.
- Inkscape, a new vector graphics application that outperforms all other Linux alternatives.
- Nvu, a Web authoring system that combines Web file management and easy-to-use WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) Web-page editing.
A selection of commercial software, including full versions of the text processing application TextMaker and spreadsheet application PlanMaker from SoftMaker, full-version backup software sesam from SEP, as well as a demo version of MainConcept's video editing software MainActor 5.
SUSE LINUX Professional 9.2 core technology includes the new enhanced Linux kernel 2.6.8, providing stability and security along with greater hardware support. The X.Org Foundation's new X Window System X11R.6.8.1 also contributes to overall better hardware support. GCC 3.3.4 and glibc 2.3.3 provide best performance for a Linux distribution to date. SUSE LINUX Professional 9.2 also comes with a broad range of development environments including KDevelop, Eclipse and Mono, a development platform based on the .NET framework which allows open source developers to build Linux and cross-platform applications with unprecedented productivity.
Additional Internet and network functionality includes pre-configured time servers for many countries in XNTP module, and better communication and synchronization with diverse groupware systems through improved support for standards-based protocols. Further YaST improvements include greater security via the automatic activation of a firewall after installation and a redesigned user interface to permit easier setup of SAMBA, DNS and DHCP servers.
Pricing and Availability
Novell's SUSE LINUX Professional 9.2 delivers the latest Linux technology for standard 32-bit PC processors as well as for AMD Athlon 64 and Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology and will be available worldwide from bookstores and other retail software suppliers in early November. The suggested retail price of SUSE LINUX Professional 9.2 (which includes five CDs, two DVDs, user guide and administration guide, 90 days of installation support) is $89.95 (89,95). An update edition for existing users and a student edition of SUSE LINUX Professional 9.2 will also be available at the recommended retail price of $59.95 (59,95). For more information, visit http://www.novell.com/suselinux.
Novell's Linux Solutions for Retail and Corporate Markets Released twice a year, SUSE LINUX consumer offerings provide Linux enthusiasts, home users and newcomers to Linux with the most popular, leading-edge Linux technology available, including comprehensive documentation and 90 days of installation support. Novell's enterprise Linux products * SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 and Novell's upcoming enterprise Linux desktop * are specifically designed to meet business customers' requirements for maintenance, systems management, and certified applications and hardware, along with enterprise-level consulting, training and support.
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About Novell
Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL) is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell Nsure*), Web application development (Novell exteNd*) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise*), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell NgageSM). Active in the open source community with its Ximian and SUSE LINUX brands, Novell provides a full range of Linux products and services for the enterprise, from the desktop to the server. Novell's vision of one Net * a world without information boundaries * helps customers realize the value of their information securely and economically. For more information, call Novell's Middle East headquarters on (+971) 04 3901020 or visit http://www.novell.com. Press should visit http://www.novell.com/pressroom.
Novell, GroupWise and Ximian are registered trademarks; exteNd, Nsure and Nterprise are trademarks; and Ngage is a service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SUSE is a registered trademark of SUSE LINUX AG, a Novell business. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Press Contact: Dubai Contact:
Jasmin Ul-Haque Camilla d'Abo
Novell, Inc. d' Events
Tel: (+44) 07973 844468 Tel: 050 4570906
E-mail: juh@novell.com Email: devents@emirates.net.ae
© Press Release 2004
