I've been a SuSE fan since 9.0. I have a small network with 10/100 wired Ethernet connecting a Linux server/workstation (32-bit), a Linux/Windows (dual-boot) 64-bit workstation (runs Linux 99.9% of the time), a "mature" Toshiba laptop (1 GHz Celeron processor - also dual-boot), and a brand-spanking-new 64-bit HP ZD-8000 laptop (dual boot). Although I have a Samba server activated, I mostly use NFS. I decided to purchase the boxed sets for each version just to save download time. 1. I updated from 9.3 to 10.0. The server update went well except for a couple of problems caused by me. The Toshiba update went well. The 64-bit workstation seemed to go okay but presented problems later. These problems were such things as screen lockups, amarok adding unwanted songs to playlists, inability to process some email, etc. I decided (hoped?) that these were bugs that would be fixed shortly. 2. I ordered the 10.1 boxed set and while waiting for it to arrive, I monitored the discussions about 10.1 on this list. The install problems for 10.1 appeared far worse than those reported for 10.0. Things like the inability to set up networks during the install, missing video drivers, and more barriers to CD/DVD systems made me very cautious about installing 10.1. I noticed that the majority of 10.1 install problems were with the 64-bit version. (I also noticed that many of these problems were legal rather than technical. Perhaps we need to give the Novell lawyers more to do.) 3. I decided to do a test fresh install of 10.1 on the HP laptop, since it was the latest hardware I had available and it had no real data on it. Due to the 64-bit problems reported on the list, I decided to install the 32-bit version. The installation went smoothly except that I couldn't set up networks during the install. However, I was able to set up networks using YaST after the install so I decided this was a minor problem. I had to install the 'mad' stuff which, by the way, I was unable to find mentioned anywhere in the documentation. (More lawyer stuff?) This solved my audio problems but I still couldn't play videos. After much investigation and a comment from a single individual on the list, I installed MPlayer which has so far played anything I've asked it to. (Why isn't MPlayer a part of the default install?) I'm not able to copy DVDs but that's not a big concern for me. So after several days of effort, I now have one laptop running the 32-bit version of 10.1. It works pretty well once installed, but the install is a bear. 4. Now feeling pretty cocky, I decided to try a fresh install on my old Toshiba laptop. Except for not being able to setup networks during the install, the install itself went pretty smoothly. However, when the initial boot got to the place where xserver is started up, the screen blinked three times and then issued an error message that said something like "Unable to start xserver because no video driver is available". I tried the install again using VESA as my video selection with the same end result. Admitting defeat, I did a fresh install of 10.0. A new and strange problem appeared. My 10/100 Ethernet pcmcia card, which had worked before, now no longer works. I tried a new card just in case but the new card didn't work either. Both cards work just fine under Windows and neither works under Linux 10.0. As far as I'm concerned, this is magic. I have no idea how such a problem could occur. But the end result is that my Toshiba laptop is pretty much useless. 5. The 64-bit workstation is scheduled to be updated to 10.1 this weekend but I am understandably reluctant to chance it, given the problems I've already experienced. The workstation needs a fresh install since it is still running the 64-bit version of 10.0 with the problems noted earlier. I think I'll do a fresh install using the 32-bit version of 10.0 and see what happens. I probably will not update the server since I cannot do without that one. Conclusions IMHO, the SuSE disto has gotten progressively worse since SuSE was purchased by Novell. I don't know if one thing has anything to do with the other but whatever the reason, I am no longer confident enough in the SuSE distro to continue updating current systems. I anxiously await 10.2 to see if any of the current problems have been fixed but, in the meantime, I plan to check out some of the other distros. Donald D. Henson, Managing Director West El Paso Information Network The "Non-Initiation of Force Principle" Rules -- Check the headers for your unsubscription address For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the archives at http://lists.suse.com Please read the FAQs: suse-linux-e-faq@suse.com