After two decades of using Linux, I'm gearing up to build a new PC and thinking about trying OpenSuse. I've mainly used Fedora KDE on my gaming rig and KDE Neon for work. While I'm familiar with various distributions, I haven't explored OpenSuse much. I have specific needs for it, such as a robust KDE experience, compatibility with PyCharm, Remmina for accessing a Windows Server, and a native approach to package management, as I'm not a fan of Flatpak or Snap. I also want smooth updates and the ability to manage different Java versions easily. Before making my final decision, I'd love to hear any thoughts on OpenSuse based on my requirements. Is there anything that might make you hesitant about recommending it?
4 Answers
I’ve been switching distros for a while and found that the newer Arch-based ones like Manjaro are pretty user-friendly if you’re looking for something a bit different. But with your experience, OpenSuse should be a great fit too. Just dive in and configure it like you want!
I’d suggest checking out the DistroChooser page for more insights into the best distro for your needs. It's a great resource! Also, Smokey’s advice about backups and using a VM to test things is super helpful. Take your time experimenting with what fits you best.
OpenSuse has a solid KDE experience and should handle your requirements for software like PyCharm and WebStorm without issues. However, note that the `evdi` module is officially available only for Tumbleweed, not Leap. As for different Java versions, OpenSuse has `update-alternatives` to help with that. You might want to check if the specific versions you need are available. Updates for Tumbleweed are pretty frequent too, so browsers won't be outdated for long. Just keep in mind community packages might not meet the same security standards as official ones.
This is excellent info, thanks for the clarification!
If you go for JetBrains IDEs like WebStorm, I recommend using the JetBrains Toolbox instead of Flatpak. The Flatpaks often run into issues. Also, make sure to install `libgthread-2_0-0` because without it, many Java programs, including JetBrains products, won’t work right. After that, everything should run smoothly!
Manjaro is a solid choice if you don't want to configure Arch from scratch and still want KDE!