Install Software SLED 12.2 - instructions and experiences

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop SLED Applications
1

I have installed SLED 12.2 incl. SUSE service and may admit: some tips and tricks are based on support from Service or based on what I learned from SUSE.
Further, the paid service is money worth. I have never before gotten so extensive and good service as I got from SUSE (as professional)

In this thread I will show my experiences for installation of typical software on SLED 12.2, that would be needed on a Desktop environment for professional use.

Be aware about following:
SLED is a software package that is checked and controlled. This makes it stable and professional. But software opportunities are not sufficient. Installation from other sources violate SLED. It is a risk installing not proven software. Especially when updating core files, kernel, it can give significant problems.
When installing major updates it may be better not deleting the old files. Snap shots and recovery do not work when files are deleted. Only image backup may work.

Further: openSuse and SUSE work clother together. this makes sense.
Distrowatch:
https://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?firstlist=opensuse&secondlist=sle&secondversions=0&resource=compare-packages&firstversions=1
Distrowatch compare versions and Leap 42.2 is closest to SLED 12.2, means should make less trouble.

2

Virtualbox

why: Most people uses also software that is not available for Linux. E.g engineers and CAD software. VB is a nice way to solve this. You work in Linux and under control of Linux but have a full Windows System with needed software.

Virtualbox uses kernel and make most trouble on SLED. I installed VB before a kernel update - then update of kernel. -->Thereafter I installed the whole system once again. :frowning:
Better is: first kernel update and then install virtual box. :slight_smile: Kernel update seems to be an issue for VB.
Actual SUSE check if KVM would be a better option and is supported.
However, Virtualbox is well known and work well.

Einrichten: (german instruction how to use - however, there are plenty instructions on www)
http://www.linux-community.de/Internal/Artikel/Print-Artikel/EasyLinux/2011/01/VirtualBox-einrichten-und-bedienen/(article_body_offset)/1

I found openSuse virtual box repositories doesn’t work well. I used rater the original

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/server-storage/virtualbox/downloads/index.html (oracle)
Both are basically the same an possible

After installing virtual box, start virtual box: The extension pack on same page need to be installed.

  • extension pack install

Sometimes you may face a failure

zypper in make gcc gcc-c++ kernel-source kernel-syms<

reboot system.

Be aware:
Move a virtual box image from one to other computer works. But you need:

  • exact same virtual box running
  • with exact same setup for number of cores and ram.
    For Windows 10, Virtual box may be unstable. I faced some break downs.
    Further, Linux is master. IF Linux not work well, VB do not work well.
3

Shutter

Shutter is a great software for screen shots - similar snipe in Windows.
Find shutter:
https://software.opensuse.org/package/shutter
Some files are missing for edit function. You can find them here.
https://software.opensuse.org/package/perl-Goo-Canvas
reboot

4

VLC player:

VLC is the best tool for video. It simply works and contain the codec needed.

Do not use SUSE files! Use orginal VLC or packman
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-suse.html
or use packman (best solution)
http://packman.links2linux.org/package/ffmpeg/782825

install: FFmpeg (codecs) in YAST
Change all packages to packman
It is important to change all codecs and VLC files to packman. Codecs do not work if files comes from SUSE.
This is the reason and trick.

5

Flashplayer
nneded for Internet video

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

6

This thread need a thanks to SUSE enerprice service Mr Richard Schaertel that found out how to do.

Installation of Skype.
Opensuse repository doesn’t work well. Use Skype direct and Skype Dynamic

Download SKYPE dynamic and unzip it.
In readme is written where to save/copy the packages.

Skype do not find these libraries. You can install them in YAST
libQtWebKit4-32bit
libXss1-32bit
libXv1-32bit

Dependencies can be found with:

zypper wp

as example

zypper wp libXv.so.1

but not needed

are all dependencies o.k can be found with

ldd

Skype-bin files has been saved in

ldd /usr/bin/skype

…
linux-gate.so.1 (0xf773c000)
libXv.so.1 => /usr/lib/libXv.so.1 (0xf5401000)
libXss.so.1 => /usr/lib/libXss.so.1 (0xf53fd000)
…

Open the file skype96x96 to be find in skype ICON with Inkscape and save as Skype.svg below /usr/share/icons/gnome/scalable/apps/skype.svg .

If you wish a desktop icon then make in /usr/share/applications/ a new file named 1.desktop, and add following text

[Desktop Entry]
Terminal=false
Name=Skype
Exec=skype

Exec=/path/to/Skype/executable (z.B. /usr/bin/skype) possible too

Type=Application
Icon=/usr/share/icons/gnome/scalable/apps/skype.svg
Categories=Internet

here you can define the category where skype shall be shown in menu

Thereafter make the file executable with

chmod 755 1.desktop

The symbol change and you can start Skype with it.