Simple question Suse 9.0

[Peter Nelson]

You have Suse 9.0

Using online update, your machine can download the latest security fixes and patches for 9.0

When you have done that you will *NOT* have the same as version 9.3 (or 9.2 or 9.1 for that matter).

eg you will not have KDE 3.4

This is the way Suse Personal/Professional works.

Suse ship a new point release about every six months.

One reason for this is possible dependancy problems between packages. With the 9.whatever release all components ought to pretty much work together.

I believe that if you had SLES (Enterprise Server) then the upgrades DO roll on (as you thought) when new stuff is released but for professional edition its different. However SLES costs more licensing money for support etc. Also it is more stable so therefore deliberately not as up to date as Professional on new developments.

Therefore I personally like Suse Professional.

If you are brave you can try upgrading particular elements. eg I was able to upgrade my Suse 9.1 to KDE 3.3. However when I got the 9.3 it wasn't long before that machine got the full upgrade treatment anyway.

One reason I suggest getting hold of a recent release is it is more likely to support well things like printing (as a starting point).

[Faraday]

So if I download the 9.3 version (or buy it somewhere), can I just insert the CDs to make an "update" or will I have to set up the system completely from scratch? I can buy the student version so it would not be too expensive.

The question is: will I loose all my data when I install 9.3? Is it a big act to do it?

[Peter Nelson]

Originally Posted by Faraday

So if I download the 9.3 version (or buy it somewhere), can I just insert the CDs to make an "update" or will I have to set up the system completely from scratch? I can buy the student version so it would not be too expensive.

The question is: will I loose all my data when I install 9.3? Is it a big act to do it?

The things available for download free are *LIVE* DVD ISO files. This can let you play with 9.3 without hard drive install.

I believe old version (9.2) may be available as download free to burn (not just live CD version). If so that would also be better for you than 9.0.

To get 9.3 you buy it. I tend to get the box in a shop rather than purchase online.

There may be a student discount. There certainly used to be some cheaper price for people who bought the (immediate) previous version, but I have never bothered with this scheme.

To answer your question, provided you don't do anything silly during install, I believe it is possible for 9.3 to load all the new stuff on without wiping your data (ie a true upgrade).

Personally I tend to copy off anything I want and reinstall from scratch that way I know I can rebuild it identically from the 9.3 install media but I believe it will detect an old installation and ask what you want to do.

Go for it!