Latest OpenSUSE release includes LibreOffice

The latest build of OpenSUSE, version 11.4, includes the new LibreOffice open source office application rather than the Oracle-sponsored OpenOffice.

OpenSUSE 11.4 is based around version 2.6.37 of the Linux kernel, and includes KDE Plasma and Gnome desktops, as well as the latest version of Firefox 4.0 and the first Qt4-based release of the open source Scribus desktop publishing application.

Broadcom drivers have been built in for easier initial setup, and Wacom support has been improved.

"The 11.4 release brings significant improvements, along with the latest in free software applications," said the OpenSUSE Project.

"Combined with new tools, projects and services around the release, 11.4 marks a showcase of growth and vitality for the OpenSUSE Project."

The distribution is also the first to include the LibreOffice open source office applications suite, which was set up after mass-defections from OpenOffice following Oracle's takeover of the project as part of its acquisition of Sun.

"The setting up of LibreOffice is not surprising considering the direction of OpenOffice under Oracle," Jay Lyman, senior analyst for enterprise software at The 451 Group, told V3.co.uk.

"It's not going to threaten Microsoft but it's an invaluable technology. It's often software like OpenOffice and LibreOffice that's the only way to open legacy Microsoft documents."

Overall, this latest release of openSUSE will be welcomed, Lyman said. Red Hat and SUSE Linux are the most popular open source options in the enterprise market, but flexible systems like openSUSE are proving very popular with operators building cloud systems.

"It's not only an option for early adopters, and we see a preference for these kinds of distributions in cloud computing," he said.

"They are easier to mould into exactly the operating system you want and have fewer strings attached."

The new build also includes Project Tumbleweed, a rolling release repository containing the latest stable builds of popular applications, which allows administrators to update key software without waiting for a full new build.