openSUSE 11.2 comes with the latest version 2.6.31 of the Linux kernel, the beating heart of every openSUSE system. The default file system of openSUSE was switched to the new Ext4 as well. Of course, openSUSE continues to support Ext3 and other filesystems -- but on install, new partitions are automatically designated Ext4.

New desktop kernel -- Desktops and servers can use the same kernel, but it's better to tune the kernel for the job at hand. That's why openSUSE now includes a desktop kernel specially tuned for desktop users.

openSUSE 11.2 also includes new and updated drivers for your hardware, meaning more and newer devices work with openSUSE. In addition, special attention has been paid to the netbook market, and new drivers enable openSUSE to run better on a wider range of netbooks.

On the Desktop

openSUSE 11.2's desktop environments continue to evolve. In addition to the work of the openSUSE Project in the desktop, openSUSE 11.2 includes the latest versions of the two desktop environments, KDE 4.3 and GNOME 2.28.

KDE users will enjoy the new Firefox KDE integration, OpenOffice.org KDE4 integration, consistent KDE artwork and all standard applications being ported to KDE4 including KNetworkManager, Amarok, Digikam, k3b, Konversation and more.

GNOME users will notice a fresh new look to openSUSE 11.2 in the windows and user interface, called Sonar.

No matter what desktop you choose, openSUSE's web browser and office suite gains great new features. Mozilla Firefox 3.5 gives users more control over their browsing experience, including a Ctrl-Tab switch between tabs and a private browsing mode. OpenOffice.org 3.1 delivers even more new improvements to the office suite, such as the ability to carry out a structured conversation through the word processor's commenting functions, and major improvements to the graphics drawing application.

Social Network Support in Applications

Support for social networks like Facebook and Twitter has been added to a number of applications and new applications have been added to the desktop. These applications allow a better user experience than the default webbased interfaces.

Filesystems and Partitioning

* The ext4 filesystem is the new default filesystem for new installations.

* Btrfs, the next generation Linux filesystem, has now a stable disk layout and can be configured in the YaST partitioner.

* The YaST partitioner has seen many user interface improvements

* It is now possible to encrypt the complete hard disk.

YaST Improvements

New Qt4-based YaST Control Center EnlargeNew Qt4-based YaST Control Center openSUSE 11.2 includes a YaST Web interface for easier remote administration of your openSUSE computer as technology preview. We also, for the first time, officially support live updates to encourage more people to use openSUSE's Factory and report issues.

Updates and Downloads

Improved download experience with Zypper due to:

* Better download reliability.

* Ability to download all software first before installing it.

* Improvements to the user interface, including an updated software update application in GNOME.