S.u.S.E. (Software und System Entwicklung) began in 1992 as a German Linux distribution, initially reselling Slackware and providing support. They later developed their own distribution based on SLS, incorporating YaST, a unique configuration tool. After several ownership changes including investments from Novell and Attachmate, S.u.S.E. was acquired by Micro Focus, then spun off and sold to EQT Partners, regaining its independence. Throughout its history, S.u.S.E. maintained a focus on enterprise-level Linux solutions, including SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) and openSUSE, a community-driven distribution. Despite various acquisitions and shifts in the market, S.u.S.E. continues to be a significant player in the Linux ecosystem.
Warner Bros. Discovery is releasing full-length, classic movies on their free, ad-supported YouTube channels like "WB Movies" and genre-specific hubs. This strategy aims to monetize their vast film library content that isn't performing well on streaming services. By utilizing YouTube's existing audience and ad infrastructure, they can generate revenue from these older films without the costs associated with maintaining their own streaming platform or licensing deals. This also allows them to experiment with different ad formats and potentially drive traffic to their Max streaming service by showcasing their library's depth.
Hacker News commenters discuss several potential reasons for Warner Bros. Discovery's strategy of releasing free, ad-supported movies on YouTube. Some suggest it's a way to monetize their back catalog of less popular films that aren't performing well on streaming services. Others posit it's an experiment in alternative distribution models, given the ongoing challenges and costs associated with maintaining their own streaming platform. The possibility of YouTube offering better revenue sharing than other platforms is also raised. Several commenters express skepticism about the long-term viability of this strategy, questioning whether ad revenue alone can be substantial enough. Finally, some speculate that this move might be a precursor to shutting down their existing streaming services altogether.
Distr is an open-source platform designed to simplify the distribution and management of containerized applications within on-premises environments. It provides a streamlined way to package, deploy, and update applications across a cluster of machines, abstracting away the complexities of Kubernetes. Distr aims to offer a user-friendly experience, allowing developers to focus on building and shipping their applications without needing deep Kubernetes expertise. It achieves this through a declarative configuration approach and built-in features for rolling updates, versioning, and rollback capabilities.
Hacker News users generally expressed interest in Distr, praising its focus on simplicity and GitOps approach for on-premise deployments. Several commenters compared it favorably to more complex tools like ArgoCD, highlighting its potential for smaller-scale deployments where a lighter-weight solution is desired. Some raised questions about specific features like secrets management and rollback capabilities, along with its ability to handle more complex deployment scenarios. Others expressed skepticism about the need for a new tool in this space, questioning its differentiation from existing solutions and expressing concerns about potential vendor lock-in, despite it being open-source. There was also discussion around the limited documentation and the project's early stage of development.
Bunster is a tool that compiles Bash scripts into standalone, statically-linked executables. This allows for easy distribution and execution of Bash scripts without requiring a separate Bash installation on the target system. It achieves this by embedding a minimal Bash interpreter and necessary dependencies within the generated executable. This makes scripts more portable and user-friendly, especially for scenarios where installing dependencies or ensuring a specific Bash version is impractical.
Hacker News users discussed Bunster's novel approach to compiling Bash scripts, expressing interest in its potential while also raising concerns. Several questioned the practical benefits over existing solutions like shc or containers, particularly regarding dependency management and debugging complexity. Some highlighted the inherent limitations of Bash as a scripting language compared to more robust alternatives for complex applications. Others appreciated the project's ingenuity and suggested potential use cases like simplifying distribution of simple scripts or bypassing system-level restrictions on scripting. The discussion also touched upon the performance implications of this compilation method and the challenges of handling Bash's dynamic nature. A few commenters expressed curiosity about the inner workings of the compilation process and its handling of external commands.
Summary of Comments ( 64 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43048261
Hacker News users discuss SUSE's complex history, highlighting its resilience and adaptability through multiple ownership changes. Several commenters share personal anecdotes about using SUSE, appreciating its stability and comprehensive documentation, particularly in enterprise settings. Some express concern over the recent layoffs and the potential impact on SUSE's future development and community. Others discuss the significance of SUSE's contributions to open source and its role in popularizing Linux in Europe. A few commenters delve into the intricacies of the various acquisitions and express skepticism about the long-term viability of open-source companies under private equity ownership.
The Hacker News post titled "The History of S.u.S.E" generated a moderate number of comments, many of which delve into further details and anecdotes related to SUSE's history and impact on the Linux ecosystem.
Several commenters expand on the complex relationship between SUSE and Novell, highlighting Novell's initial open-source skepticism and later embrace of it with the acquisition of SUSE. One commenter points out the significance of SUSE's early adoption of KDE as its default desktop environment, contributing to KDE's popularity and maturation. This decision contrasted with Red Hat's preference for GNOME, solidifying a key distinction between the two distributions. Another commenter emphasizes the role of SUSE in pioneering advancements like YaST, a comprehensive system administration tool, and its strong focus on enterprise-grade reliability and support.
Another thread discusses the challenges SUSE faced navigating the changing open-source landscape, including competition from other distributions like Red Hat and Debian, as well as the implications of various acquisitions and mergers over the years. Commenters touch upon the impact of Attachmate's purchase of Novell and the subsequent spin-off of SUSE as a standalone company. Some express concern about the potential consequences of these ownership changes on SUSE's long-term direction and community engagement.
A few comments recall personal experiences with SUSE, sharing nostalgic memories of using early versions and praising the distribution's stability and comprehensive documentation. One user specifically remembers SUSE Linux 6.4 as their introduction to Linux, lauding its user-friendly installation process and the wealth of included software. Others share anecdotes about their time working with SUSE in professional settings, highlighting its strong enterprise features and robust support infrastructure.
Overall, the comments provide valuable additional context and perspectives on the history of SUSE, reflecting the distribution's significant influence on the development of Linux and the broader open-source movement. They offer a mix of historical analysis, technical insights, and personal reflections, painting a richer picture of SUSE's journey and its enduring presence in the Linux world.