SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop
Improve Usability
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SUSE® Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 compares favorably with Windows Vista in usability and functionality while gaining the lead over Microsoft in desktop innovation. In July 2006, Novell delivered functionality that Microsoft had been trying to produce since Windows XP was released in 2001–capabilities such as 3-D desktop effects and universal desktop search.
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop offers usability and functionality comparable to and even exceeding that of Windows in many cases. The following table provides a brief comparison.
| Capability | SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 | Windows Vista |
|---|---|---|
| Usability-tested user interface | "Design First" methodology | Extensively tested interface |
| Integrated search | Beagle | Vista Integrated Search |
| Complete Web browsing | Mozilla Firefox | Internet Explorer |
| Multimedia applications | RealPlayer from RealNetworks Macromedia Flash Player Totem movie player Helix Banshee music management F-Spot photo library management |
Windows Media Player Microsoft Photo Editor Windows Movie Maker RealPlayer from RealNetworks |
| 3-D rendered interface | 3-D desktop effects | Aero Glass |
| Productivity applications | OpenOffice.org Novell Edition Tomboy notes application |
No office suite included. The typical choice is Microsoft Office at an additional cost. |
| Collaborative applications | Novell Evolution® Gaim instant messenger |
Windows Mail |
Novell conducted hundreds of controlled tests and shot thousands of hours of test subject video to observe how office workers use desktops. Based on the findings, Novell implemented a "Design First" development methodology to deliver an innovative graphical environment in SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop. The graphical environment provides a dramatically improved user experience with features like application tiling that provides a snapshot of what you're using, alt-tabbing that gives thumbnail views of open applications, and a 3-D spinning cube that increases your workspace size.
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop includes new integrated search capabilities, powered by Beagle, which provide real-time indexing throughout the entire desktop, delivering easy and fast access to all content. You no longer need to worry about where and when they stored their work. Simple keyword searches return all documents, applications, e-mails, instant messages, and recent web searches in a single results window. The time-consuming activity of searching for data is gone forever.
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop also interoperates with existing IT systems, making it easier for you to leverage your current technology investments. We designed SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop to easily coexist with Windows, Mac, UNIX and other operating systems. In fact, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop is the most interoperable Linux desktop available today. It works seamlessly with Novell GroupWise® and Microsoft Exchange collaboration servers, and it connects to Lotus Notes and IBM Notes plug-in for Workplace client technology. It is also fully compatible with Microsoft Active Directory and other networking and directory standards.
Finally, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop ships with dozens of productivity applications including OpenOffice.org Novell Edition (fully compatible with Microsoft Offices while maintaining high font fidelity), Novell Evolution, Firefox web browser, instant messaging applications, music and photo management applications, and dozens of other business tools so you can be productive right from the start.
Take a Closer Look
- Use the Reviewers Guide to guide your exploration of all the features of SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop in greater detail.
- Want to see SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop in action? Check out the product presentation and demos.
