Ubuntu proves to be just as easy to work with as Freespire, but does require a little more installer interaction. One nifty feature with Ubuntu is the ability to run the operating system directly from the installation CD.
OpenSuse offers a more traditional approach to a Linux install. Installation still proves to be simple, but there is significant installer interaction required compared to the other two distributions. While installation may prove to be more complex with OpenSuse, installers do have much more control over the process and can quickly change defaults or access advanced options. When looking at installation of these three distributions, most solution providers are going to find picking what's best for them will be a matter of taste.
Installation
Freespire: 3 points
Ubuntu: 2 points
OpenSuse: 1 point
SETUP / CONFIGURATION
Once a basic install is completed, installers will have to finalize the configuration and set up the operating system for the users' preferences. In some cases, such as with Freespire and Ubuntu, all of the primary aspects of the operating system are ready for use immediately after installation. With OpenSuse, there are a few additional tasks to accomplish after installation, but those tasks are wizard-driven and also ensure that the system is set up properly and not left to chance.
While Ubuntu is ready to use after the basic install, several settings can enhance the end-user experience, ranging from installing updates to adding software to defining preferences. All of those elements are easy to locate and change, but Ubuntu does not provide something along the lines of a "personality wizard," which could step installers through all of the major preferences.
Freespire proves to be very easy to configure and set up, but some elements are buried or follow a confusing path through the interface. Setting up wireless access proved to be one of those glitchy procedures. Installers not only have to activate the wireless interface, they also will need to define a profile to work with a wireless network. The procedure proves to be less than intuitive, and did require several reboots to get the wireless network card to associate with an access point, especially if any encryption is used.
Freespire does provide a "theme manager," which allows users to change the look and feel of the interface, but regrettably, only the default Freespire theme is included. Ubuntu offers themes, and they are easy to select. OpenSuse goes one step further and provides themes that can mimic other operating systems, such as Windows and Mac. That feature, along with the almost infinite tune-ability offered by OpenSuse, brings the product to the top of the heap when it comes to setup options and custom configurations.
Setup/Configuration
OpenSuse: 3 points
Ubuntu: 2 points
Freespire: 1 point
NEXT: Support, Feature Set
