It’s a week now since I started using Open SuSe. I use it only in the evenings after I’m back from office and that too, not every day. I don’t dislike it after a week of using it, but I didn’t see any compelling reason to continue using it instead of Kubuntu. I might move back to Kubuntu once Kubuntu Feisty Fawn is released unless I see some compelling difference in using Open SuSe.
There are few things I don’t like in OpenSuSe compared to Kubuntu. OpenSuSe uses 2 different package managers. One is YAST and the other one is Zenworks. Zenworks is what OpenSuSe uses to install software updates. You can also manually install applications using Zenworks. It’s little confusing having multiple installation sources.
OpenSuSe community recommends uninstalling Zenworks. I don’t understand why they have to install it in the first place if it’s going to create conflict with YAST. I still couldn’t find out how to disable YAST from refreshing the repositories each time I open it.
After adding many repositories through post install script, I still couldn’t find some applications that I can easily find in Kubuntu. I can’t remember all the applications that I searched and couldn’t find. The couple of things I searched and couldn’t find are Firestarter, Skype, Dolphin file manager etc.
There are some things I like in OpenSuSe. As I said before, I like the Start menu. I like the overall UI. I like the AppArmor application security, though I don’t know how useful it is.
I’m going to use it for another month (till Kubuntu Feisty is released) before I decide whether to make the switch or not. Overall, my experience with OpenSuSe is not bad.