[desktop-discuss] Re: Re: SuSE Enterprise Desktop 10 reviews

[Manish]

> On Thu, 13 Jul 2006 01:12:31 PDT, you wrote:
> 
> >Exactly! That's the only way Solaris can reach more
> desktops than it's doing now.
> >I particularly dislike JDS implementation of GNOME
> for its Redmond look and feel.
> 
> Yet the screenshots of SLED show they also don't use
> the default Gnome
> layout and instead have gone for a Redmond look.
> 

I beg to differ. I've been running SLED10RC3 since the day it was offered by Novell for testing purposes. It's true they have switched to a single panel design with a 'Computer' button to start from, but it surely doesn't try to mimic the official Redmond looks. IMHO, it's a very nice and useful change and being fastly accepted in other communities too. 

> >1. Optimized for at least the 686 architecture. 
> 
> This comes up frequently in the Linux world, and
> those who have
> actually done testing and looked into found that it
> doesn't provide
> any real benefit.
> 

There is some noticeable difference, though only in case of a few select applications and tools. I never claimed a 686 optimized system was x-times faster than a 386 one. I have recompiled a few calculation heavy applications, and noticed 2 to 3 times boost in performance with Intel C++ and GCC 4.1.1 compilers.

However, I agree than 686 doesn't bring any significant advantage over 386 architecture wise.

> >2. Easy kernel customization and build process, like
> Linux.
> 
> Most people never use anything but the distribution
> provided kernel in
> the Linux world, it will not be a big issue for
> Solaris either.  Even
> if it is an issue, it is not a desktop issue.
> 

I always recompile Linux kernels on both my desktop and ThinkPad for best performance. But it's also true that many don't care about that. My point is that choice should be there for those who want to tackle and tweak for performance.

> >5. Hardware accelerated graphics. No, XGL is not
> necessary. DRI would do for now.
> 
> If you have NVIDIA hardware you can get accelerated
> graphics now.
> 

My desktop has an nVIDIA card, and it runs happily. But it's the Intel DRI that I'm missing so much. If only ThinkPads came with nVIDIA chips. Argh!

> As Sun updates Xorg then you will get many/most of
> the features of XGL
> anyway through AIGLX once NVIDIA updates their
> drivers to support a
> required feature (coming soon).
> 

Yes, I hope the latest Xorg makes it to the OpenSolaris ASAP.

> >9. Implement better support for WiFi, Bluetooth,
> DigiCams etc.
> 
> With a version of NDISwrapper now available WiFi in
> addition to the
> other drivers available WiFi support is comparable to
> Linux
> http://www.opensolaris.org/os/community/laptop/wireles
> s/
>

Linux kernel has native support for many WiFi solutions. I never had to use ndiswrapper on my ThinkPad to support the Intel 2200BG card. I only had to add ipw2200 firmware in case of Fedora Core 5, and didn't even have to whistle in case of SLED10.

The problem is that I can't find out how committed is Sun to desktop users and Solaris x86. Wouldn't it be good to let us know how much can we expect from *Solaris? Should I really be wanting to install it on my desktop and laptop? Does Sun have the vision to take *Solaris to everyone, and not just big iron servers?

Regards.
 
 
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