Adding new software to SuSE 9.2

SuSE Linux version 9.2 is one of the most Windows-like distributions around. Most of the system administration is done from a central administration tool, YaST. But there's one area of SuSE that's a bit tricky for new Linux users, adding new software.

Adding new software is simple if you're just adding software that comes with the 9.2-Personal ISO CD, or if you're one of the lucky folks who own the Professional DVD (I own the professional version and the docs alone make it worth the $130CDN). Even if you own the Personal ISO, you can still get a lot more software, in fact, almost everything on the Professional CD, simply by telling YaST where it needs to look.

After you've done a fresh install SuSE looks to the Personal ISO CD or DVD for software. This is good, but it limits you to software on CD or DVD. For the most software you need to point YaST to one of the SuSE mirrors. Do this by launching YaST and selecting Change Source of Installation.



When the Software Source Media screen appears, click Add and http source then fill in the info shown in the image below.



This will set you up for the SuSE mirror on Ale, a site in the United States. You can set yourself up for a closer mirror by googling for SuSE mirrors. I usually disable the CD/DVD as a source after choosing an Internet mirror because the CD/DVD generally contains older software. I also raise the Internet source before the CD/DVD using the arrows at the bottom of the Software Source Media screen.