The next step would be to be able to create system snapshots out of an existing machine - PCLinuxOS supports this with the help of a Debian script afaik. That makes it even easier to distribute specific, dedicated appliances.
Fedora 7 hits the streets on May 31st. One of the most exciting features of the Fedora 7 release is the fact that users can remix the Fedora code in any variety of ways. Tools are provided that allow the user to build either a customized LiveCD or installable ISO, and to reach out to any 3rd-party RPM repositories and pull in packages from them at compose time.
Overall, openSUSE 10.2 is great to use and feels as though it runs faster than any other distribution on my laptop. I would highly recommend using 10.2 for Linux beginners or people looking for a great out-of-the-box operating system, even though it does require minimal accompanying downloads. For advanced users, I think that openSUSE should be given a chance and I think many power users are watching the release of 10.3 very closely. I never seem to hear details about KDE 4 without at least a mention of openSUSE 10.3.
Do remember that our anger and frustration are directed at Novell's management, not the various developers. Some come-and-go (or "hit-and-run" rather) readers apparently fail to see this. Association and affiliation lead to misinterpretation and inference.
Nat Friendman announced SUSE Hack Week on Monday. Here is a new video from Prague's Hack Week.
Later in the week, Novell mentioned some video highlights that you might wish to watch. Novell also talked about development methods and geography issues, with particular emphasis on Asia. This was quite insightful. Of particular interest was the following bit:
"Software engineering is an art, it's a fundamentally different mindset to software manufacturing."
Interoperable, cross-platform Information Cards provide a much needed open identity framework that is both transparent and expedient for web users," said Dale Olds, distinguished engineer and Bandit Project leader at Novell. "Sxip Access support of DigitalMe is a major step forward in security and ease of use for on-demand applications.
SailPoint Technologies today announced the first standards-based integration linking its identity risk management solution with Novell's identity and security solutions.
More ZENworks raves were soon to follow, but all these raves from Novell were possibly overshadowed at this point. Why? Because Red Hat released its encouraging financial figures.
"If you're doing something hard and nobody hates it, you probably aren't doing it. If the right people hate it and those people happen to be some of the worst people alive, so much the better."
"[t]he rules of the vote saw community members asked to rank each of the eight proposals. Just under 600 people voted, but Debian’s election team rejected many for unspecified reasons, leaving almost 450 valid votes to count."
