11 Things SUSE Linux Did in Its 20 Years

What started as a twenty member organization while three of its founders were studying mathematics at University has become one of the most successful computer service providers of the world. SUSE Linux celebrated its twentieth anniversary this year and has announced that its customer base has reached 15,000.

The SUSE Linux enterprise server is now used by more than two-third of the 100 global fortune companies like SONY, London Stock Exchange and Walgreens, and is the most popular commercial enterprise Linux distribution in China.

Successful launches, ground breaking agreements and acquisitions, the company have faced numerous highs and lows on the way to become the fourth most popular Linux Distribution. These are the 10 key milestones in the 20 years path of SUSE Linux.

1. 1992-

The company started sending Slackware operating system to people who wanted to get Linux on their Computers. This set of 40 floppy disks contained SLS (Softlanding Linux System), Slackware and some printed technical assistance manuals.

2. 1994 -

SUSE Linux was basically a German version of Slackware. In 1994, the German version SUSE 1.0 was translated and distributed in CDs instead of Floppy Disks.

3. 1996- The first ever version of distribution under the name SUSE Linux was published as SUSE Linux 4.2.

4. 1997- SUSE LLC entered the US market with its first office in Oakland, California.

 5. 1999- The company offices were established in UK, Finland, Sweden and some other Nordic countries as well. SUSE took a step closer to world wide expansion by partnering with IBM, SAP and Oracle.

6. 2001- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server was launched. In the following months the company hit a terrible phase due to various reasons and had to reduce its staff significantly.

7. 2004- In a deal of $210 million SUSE Linux was acquired by Novell Inc. All the computers ran SUSE Linux for the first time in the following Brainshare gathering by Novell.

8. 2005- Novell announced the launch of open SUSE project that would allow developers to test and develop the SUSE Professional Series operating system.

9. 2006- Microsoft and Novell signed an agreement to improve SUSE’s interoperability with Microsoft Windows. The agreement covered plans for cross-promotion and cross-licensing of both products. As a result, the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server now supports over 9,200 third-party applications and 13,500 hardware, storage, and networking devices.

10. 2010- The Attachmate Group acquired the SUSE/Novell Company for $ 2.2 Billion. Attachmate converted SUSE into a standalone business but did not propose any changes for the SUSE business plan or open SUSE project.

11.2011- A website for SUSE business was launched by the Attachmate Group that provides services like SUSE free download and Linux product purchasing.

SUSE in 2012- SUSE states to be the leading provider of Enterprise Linux Solution. With the most interoperable platform i.e. SUSE Linux Enterprise, the company empowers thousands of organizations around the world and enables them to efficiently deliver computing services.