Today, I will tell why openSUSE Tumbleweed is the best distro you can use on your desktop. And why I recommend it to both newbies and pros instead ...
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I've got a friend who works at SUSE, he told me that SUSE staff themselves that use Linux for work use anything but SUSE.. Each to their own I suppose, but in my book of Linux distros OpenSUSE is the one to avoid
Thanks for reading. I don't know what the reasons are for SUSE employees to not use SUSE... I don't even know whether what your friend said is true.
However, I had tried Ubuntu (and some of its flavors), Pop OS!, Fedora, Manjaro, KDE Neon, etc., and knowing that openSUSE works best for my workflow. But I believe that Ubuntu is the best distro for servers, though (I am still running my servers on Ubuntu and don't think about changing to anything else).
Would you mind sharing your bad experience with openSUSE?
I have know issue with openSUSE it's a nice OS. But yea you have a lot of inaccurate statements in here. If you would have come into the Fedora irc we would have helped you with the kernel module. There's no software that you can run on one linux distro and not the other it's just do you want to.
Thanks, I like Fedora because of their streamline experience. I love openSUSE because of their infrastructure and tools that they provided out of the box.
Thanks for the article. Now I'm using the newest and updated Tumbleweed. I installed the zRAM in your article. It gives an error when I try to activate it. Attached is the screenshot. Thanks in advance.
There shouldn't be any error when enabling the
zramswapservice. Did rebooting the machine fix the issue?Excellent article and agree, in the main with your review, I had other issues with Fedora concerning slow performance and temporary hangs, this was on three different machines, all have in excess of 16GB RAM and SSD with fast processors. The main issue I have with OpenSUSE is printer installation it's awkward and should be automatic like every other distro I have tried. I also had a monor issue where it suddenly lost connection to the local LAN devices although the internet was fine ?! - still haven't figured that one out. I'm currently running Linux Mint but intend going back to OpenSUSE but maybe Leap 15.4 rather than Tumbleweed ?
btw not enabling BRTFS by default is a PRO as this is slower then ext4 and not as reliable
Yes, I also have a problem with my printer. Moreover, if I want to make the scanner to work poperly, I need to change my connection's firewall zone to home.
I wouldn't use Leap as it will discontinue after 15.5. For me, Tumbleweed is a solid choice. If I want to stay with a point-release distro, I would stay on Ubuntu.
I am happy that you like this article ❤️
I don't get your frustration towards an actual working secure boot setup in Fedora. The fact that you can't just load any random unsigned kernel module is exactly what secure boot should be doing. If you can just load a random module in openSUSE, then I would be worried. It's like saying that the firewall of system X is better, because it doesn't block traffic so it doesn't get in the way :)
This is false. Rolling release is by default not stable. The definition of stable is not that it's free of bugs (impossible), but a stable API and ABI. By nature a rolling release doesn't have that.
I agree on this one. And the mascot is cool. I would also add that it's a European based distribution (sure, the community is international, but on legal grounds they are European).
It's also cool you can enable SELinux. Also, Aeon looks nice. But it's not as advanced as Silverblue yet. And seeing the comments from the main devs, it's not their goal to compete with Silverblue either.
At least, on openSUSE and Ubuntu, we use
modprobeto load any unsigned kernel module. Anymodprobesecurity issue had been fixed since 2003 on Linux 2.4.21, see here. Therefore, I don't think I would want to limit myself to Fedora because of this reason.Stable for me as a user is that I get to use all the stable version of the software, drivers, etc. without any hassle. openSUSE Tumbleweed doesn't release alpha, beta, or release candidate software to the users.
Fedora, on the other hand, is a point releases distro but still updating their kernel regularly, which is the main part of the system for any issue to occur. Therefore, while you get the same level of system stability with any rolling release distro on Fedora, your packages are locked to the old version for no reason. Moreover, Fedora doesn't have any snapshot and rollback system out of the box. So, if things go wrong on Fedora, you might need a system re-install, which is almost never happen on openSUSE.
Your reply makes me wonder if you understand why secure boot exists and what it's suppose to protect you from. I also don't see what this modprobe fix has to do with it, which also predates secure boot. You shouldn't be able to sign your own stuff either (without breaking the chain of trust). If you would then that would be a huge security issue and negates the purpose of secure boot if a malicious person can just sign stuff him/herself.
Usually you can just install the signed drivers from the Fedora repository. And you know this as well, someone already pointed this out to you in the comment section in your blog about Fedora. The module you needed could simply be installed with
sudo dnf install kmod-v4l2loopback. So it's a non-issue and you didn't even include this fact in your review about openSUSE. So please, update this review, it gives a false evaluation (in bad faith).Stable means that your API and ABI won't change, so things will be predictable and, stable. This is the true definition, your personal definition is not the same. Fedora package maintainers may update software with major releases, as long as it doesn't break API and ABI compatibility, hence the kernel version changes. I maintain several Fedora packages, neofetch for example can be updated to a major release because it's still the same POSIX compliant script and if no breaking changes exist in config files, it's fine to introduce it.
Tumbleweed on the other hand can introduce breaking changes, because it's a rolling release. That's why it's by definition not stable. It may have a stable user experience due to the health checks and openQA. But that's not in the same league as Debian/Fedora releases where you have guaranteed stable API and ABI compatibility within a release.
Have a look at Silverblue and how
rpm-ostreeworks. It's more advanced thansnapper, checkrpm-ostree --helpto see what you can do with it. It's da futaahhh.I won't update my review unless I can
modprobeon Fedora. You should also know from the comment in my blog about Fedora that I don't want to depend on anyone to maintain the packages for me (and for how long they maintain, and how fast they deliver that packages, etc.). If things should work from the official repo throughmodprobe, then it should work. And it's not about any specific package either. It's about a roadblock from this limitation that I might see in the future.I don't write review in bad faith.
I am always looking at Silverblue, Aeon, or any immutable OS for that matter. But they are much harder to work with and less compatible to many software currently. I think, until Flatpak and Distrobox work very well with all the apps that I use in my workflow, I don't think I will ever recommend any immutable OS for little to no gain in security and rollback ability.
Thanks for maintaining several packages on Fedora ❤️
With secure boot on you can't do that and that's what it's suppose to do. Secure boot only allows properly signed drivers to be loaded. Unless you break the chain of trust by installing your own key into your system, then you can modprobe your own stuff. But without the chain of trust the signing processes is simply weakened/useless. Fedora implemented secure boot as it should. I doubt you can modprobe randomly built modules in other distributions. If you can, then again, I would be worried.
The example you still use is about a situation that can easily be fixed with a Fedora signed kernel module you can pull in with a DNF command. So there is nothing to complain about. That combined with the fact that secure boot is suppose to prevent you from loading unsigned stuff makes the review kinda bad. Especially for those unfamiliar with these topics.
Also don't forget you can do
dnf history undo lastin Fedora to undo the last RPM transaction, or any of them listed indnf history. It's not the same as a BTRFS snapshot, but at least it's portable throughout filesystems. I find Silverblue great and also non-techy people can work with it as they use it as a Chromebook-style workflow.I don't know what you're talking about. I always have secure boot enabled, and I can
modprobeon openSUSE and Ubuntu without any issue, as explained in my review. I will not trade a 1-sec solution for any messy one on Fedora. Ifmodprobeany unsigned kernel module is such a security issue (which it isn't), you might not want to load that module in the first place, since you don't trust the module itself.The same goes true for the snapshot and rollback system. I won't trade a well-established system on openSUSE for any half-baked one on Fedora. And I don't want to limit my workflow with any immutable OS either.
Fedora is like a test bed for RH but without the underlying system to save the users if things go wrong. The users need to resort to the immutable version of their OS just to fix one issue while creating tons of new issues in the process. Therefore, I really can't recommend Fedora to anyone who wants to work on their PC, as it is the worst in terms of usability.
Exactly, and that's why you have secure boot, to protect you from untrusted software.
The kernel runs in ring 0, the most privileged tier of your system. So yes,
modprobeis a dangerous thing with untrusted software. And if your system is compromised and someone has automated amodprobein a cron, startup script or whatever to gain ring 0 control then you are F'ed. Such a thing is hard to detect and is the perfect place to hide a rootkit.What if you need a different filesystem than BTRFS? It's not a one size fits all filesystem, e.g. performance isn't the best with that filesystem. It's an awesome solution, but it isn't portable.
I already explained to you that Fedora has a stable API and ABI, because it's not a rolling release. And Fedora also has an extensive QA. Furthermore, if things do go wrong, you can do
dnf history undo lastif you have a faulty update transaction. Or just rollback that single package and pin the version until it's fixed. While you can use whatever filesystem you want or need for your workflow. rpm-ostree based systems are more powerful in that regard, but aren't a requirement. It is the future though.My parents and partner use Fedora. They cannot break it and it always works for them. I use Fedora professionally for almost 10 years, I haven't encountered any issues so far. Linus Torvalds also uses Fedora, not that he's of any authority to base your distribution choice on. But it does put your comment in perspective, you can for sure work on a Fedora system, definitely not "the worst in terms of usability".
Please, read up on secure boot and update your review. Maybe even experiment a bit with malicious kernel modules to see what I mean. And if not, then I hope people read the comment section. Take care!
This article is so full of nonsense and lies that it's hard to choose what to criticize first. I wonder if you have any decent understanding of Linux in general or the specific distributions you mention. you could take the approach of explaining why you may have a personal preference for a distribution, like installer defaults or ecosystem, support etc. Instead you bash the two major desktop distribution and write things that are plain wrong. You can install any kernel on any distribution incase you missed that. Drivers come in both kernel and from third parties so claiming that any distribution has more hardware support is incorrect. Also, most drivers by far are only available for Ubuntu, like from Dell, Lenovo, DisplayLink and many other commercial vendors, making it the most commercially supported Linux desktop distribution. Claims about things not working on Fedora are probably just a matter of adding a repo, I guess you know Fedora by default only uses fully open source en free packages. You contradict yourself in many of your own arguments so I really can't follow what you are trying to achieve here, except for unfounded OpenSuse promotion. With this kind of writing, I cannot see how anyone can take any of this serious.
Hello, I specifically registered an account to debunk your comment. I currently use Ubuntu and openSUSE in a daily basis (plus servers installed with RedHat, CentOS, Debain, etc.), and I also used Fedora from 2018-2020 when I studied in another University. Ubuntu is currently used only because it is so widely installed in my current institution, so it is unavoidable... My personal choice has always been openSUSE since 2009, after I tried several distros back then and eventually made my mind to settle down with openSUSE, and I never regretted my choice. Yes, one may encounter some issues with openSUSE sometimes, but this can happen with any OS.
While I read many unpleasant complaints about openSUSE, those usually came from beginners (at least with openSUSE) who are too used to some other distros, rumbling why openSUSE can't work the way as their favorite xxx does. But if you are experienced enough with both Linux and openSUSE, most problems (including hardware driver problems) can be easily fixed. Then you almost have one of the most solid stable systems out there, and yet, with a good easy-to-use and customizability balance. You can just check how openSUSE is highly ranked by its average rating while rated by the largest number of users in this top ten list at current time (Feb. 7, 2023) and note how most users evaluated it:
I think I shifted to openSUSE tumbleweed with my laptop since 2016 (yes, the same machine since then, and sorry, I really can't remember exactly when because it is like 3000 years ago). Then guess what? I never reinstall the system till today with this machine!!! I just keep on rolling the release every few months (or after more than one year). If you screw up something when experimenting, and you don't bother to fix, fine, just roll back.
With all my experience with openSUSE (especially tumbleweed), I mostly concur with what Archer described in this article. After reading his article, I immediatelly tried zRAM and transparent compression with my openSUSE tumbleweed. Now the system couldn't work better (thanks for the article). Since I also use KDE with touchpad gestrues configured with fusuma, even the overall GUI experience may be better than using a macOS (with my poor old machine).
I know that I may not be able to convince you how openSUSE tumbleweed is "the best". Different people have different tastes. I am also more biased with different distros due to my long-time openSUSE experience. But I believe if you really try openSUSE enough, you won't be disappointed.
Thanks, I am glad you like the article. I enjoy the experience on openSUSE and never look back.
I don't think you read my article well 🤣
I didn't bash other two distros to promote openSUSE, as I also used them before openSUSE. I explained the downside of Ubuntu and Fedora in details. The former lacks newer kernel and OEMKernel doesn't intend to work on non-certified devices, which is the majority of laptops in the consumer market. The latter lacks an ability to modprobe an unsigned kernel module. And it's not just a matter of adding a repo, if you really know what modprobe an unsigned kernel module is.
I know I can install any kernel on any distribution. However, as far as I know, Ubuntu mainline kernel is unsigned, thus requires secure boot to be disabled. I explained well enough in my article the reason why I don't use things that makes me disable secure boot, please re-read again.
If you re-read my article again, you might notice that I also talked about the downsides of openSUSE. And even if I want to promote openSUSE, which I did, there's nothing wrong about it, as it's the distro that I like. If you can't except this, it's fine also 🤣 In fact, I promoted Fedora before openSUSE, but it failed me horribly.
If you think that my article is full of nonsense and lies, you don't have to start taking about my understanding in Linux, instead you can counter my reasoning that I gave in the article. But it seems you don't read my article very well.