openSUSE 12.2 has been released on Wednesday September 5th 2012. As our latest release, this brings the best of Free Software in the familiar openSUSE package: stable and complete.
12.2 can be downloaded from software.opensuse.org. Also available is a German 12.2 boxed retail edition. The retail edition boasts a complete printed user manual, physical installation media, and includes exciting money-off vouchers.
Performance
From the kernel to the desktop, openSUSE 12.2 brings you speed-ups: Linux 3.4 has a faster storage layer to prevent blocking during large transfers. glibc 2.15, the basic library, improves the performance of many functions especially on 64 bit systems. Systemd 44 enables faster booting. And KDE’s 4.8.4 releases build on Qt 4.8.1 to make the desktop and applications more responsive.
Evolution
openSUSE adopts the latest developments in Linux distribution technology as they mature. The GRUB2 bootloader is now the default, binaries are now located under /usr/bin, and during boot and shutdown Plymouth 0.8.6.1 provides flicker-free transitions and attractive animations.
Innovation
X.Org 1.12 introduces support for multitouch input devices and multi-seat deployments. Mozilla Firefox supports the latest Web technologies. The llvmpipe software 3D renderer enables GNOME Shell and virtual machines to use compositing even where no 3D hardware is present. GIMP 2.8 and Krita 2.4 make Free image processing and natural media painting competitive with proprietary tools. Tomahawk Player promises to make listening to music on your computer a social experience.