Novell turbocharges Linux desktop

Novell has unveiled version 9.3 of its SuSE Linux Professional suite at CeBIT, offering high-end users early access to the latest technology.

The product bundles the latest version of Linux based on the 2.6.11 kernel with about 100 open source applications including the F-Spot photo management tool, the Firefox browser and Linphone VoIP software, as well as development tools including Mono, Eclipse and KDevelop.

Although users can deploy the software on desktop systems and servers, the suite primarily targets technology enthusiasts and developers who desire access to the latest technologies on their desktop computers.

"SuSE Linux Professional provides corporate Linux users with a preview of the technologies in Novell's future enterprise Linux and a means of growing their skills to remain competitive in today's IT market," said Markus Rex, vice president of SuSE Linux for Novell.

Users will get an early view of some upcoming open source products including Xen and OpenOffice 2.0.

The Xen virtualisation technology is consider to be in a rough state. The software, that will mostly appeal to enterprise users, will only be included in the upcoming version of the of Novell's enterprise class SuSE Linux Enterprise Server.

The bundled version of OpenOffice 2.0 is just a preview, since the product is currently in beta.

SuSE Linux Professional 9.3 will be made available mid April for €77.54 (ex VAT) for the full version. Upgrades cost €51.68.