OAKLAND, CA -- Today, SuSE Linux, the international technology leader and provider of Open Source solutions, announced SuSE Linux 7.3, which offers high-end enterprise and standard desktop users advantages in security, stability and a greatly improved ergonomical user interface with new image, graphics and audio features. The release of SuSE Linux 7.3 confirms SuSE Linux as one of the maturest operating systems on the market. As security becomes a higher priority among home and office users, SuSE Linux 7.3 responds by offering the possibility of a "Personal Firewall" straight from the installation process. A user-friendly graphical front-end allows easy firewall configuration. The resulting security makes it simple to protect your host or network against unauthorized access. Furthermore, SuSE's "crypto file system" ensures that sensitive data is secure even if someone's entire hardware is stolen. Stored data is only available in unencrypted forms, if the user has entered the correct password. SuSE Linux 7.3 also includes the mail scanner AMaViS (A Mail Virus Scanner) and PGP encryption for e-mail. SuSE YOU (YaST Online Update) ensures that the Linux system always stays up-to-date. Upon request, SuSE YOU connects to the SuSE ftp server and automatically installs the desired security updates and bug fixes free of charge. New improvements for the desktop include KDE 2.2.1, the latest version of KDE's highly ergonomical user interface. Other KDE highlights include file manager, Konqueror, which now displays file contents in thumbnail format, especially useful for images and graphics archives. The KDE graphical tool, Kooka, handles scanning jobs very quickly and the new print assistant guides the user safely through the protocol jungle of lpr and cups. Simplified Installation and Administration The parallel installation of SuSE Linux with Windows 95, 98, or ME has been substantially simplified. SuSE Linux 7.3 automatically determines the amount of free hard disk space and offers suggestions for the use of remaining hard disk space. The former "partitioning obstacle" is overcome with a simple "continue" in the installation dialog. In Linux Kernel 2.4.10 and glibc 2.2.4, SuSE Linux 7.3 provides state-of-the-art Linux technology. Through improved memory management, Kernel 2.4.10 ensures increased performance, especially for server operations. Private users will appreciate an extended range of drivers and improved USB support. The automatic hardware detection feature has been considerably expanded to include even more components, i.e. CD writers, Scanners and TV cards, which enables the setup tool, YaST2, to execute the installation and Internet hook-up almost entirely by itself. With SaX2 (SuSE advanced X configuration), you can now modify standard monitor and desktop settings while the system is running. Software RAID support enhances performance and provides reliable protection against data losses. Linux professionals will be eager to try out the runlevel editor for the selective activation of server services. For the first time, the scope includes YaST2 modules for administering NIS servers as well as NIS and LDAP clients. Apart from ReiserFS, two additional journaling file systems, JFS and Ext3, can be selected. Personal and Professional Version SuSE Linux 7.3 Personal is intended for Linux newcomers who would like to get acquainted with the advantages of the free Unix clone on a desktop computer. Three CD-ROMs include the operating system kernel and numerous applications from the fields of Office, Internet, multimedia, image processing, and games. With three easy-to-understand manuals, users without previous Linux experience easily go through the entire installation process and get an introduction to the functional scope of the main desktop applications. SuSE Linux 7.3 Professional offers ambitious home users and IT professionals a comprehensive portfolio of more than 2,000 up-to-date software packages. To install the professional version, users can choose between seven CD-ROMs or one DVD. The scope provides everything necessary to set up intranet and Internet solutions as well as to interconnect and protect heterogeneous networks. SuSE 7.3 provides professional users with all tools required for implementing file and print servers as well as WWW, proxy, mail, and news servers under Linux. The 7.3 Professional contains five comprehensive manuals packed with the latest first-hand Linux knowledge, including specific issues such as network configuration and security. For further information visit www.suse.com