So openSUSE 10.3 Alpha5 has been released and there a lot of new exciting things in this one. Of particular interest to me is the 1-CD KDE install option (there is also a single installation CD for GNOME users), and the new ability to add remote package sources before the install even begins. The 1-CD KDE install even has a bit of KDE4, with several games in already, such as KPat (screenshot).

This second aforementioned new feature means you are able to add a repository from, say, the openSUSE Build Service, or other third-party repositories such as the NVIDIA ones, and have the installer use packages from there. This means you can start your operating system for the first time with the full composite effects of Compiz (also available on the 1-CD KDE install) even if you have an NVIDIA card, or with any other third-party packages. The new Compiz now also has a KDE window decorator, so you still have the same integrated KDE feel even when using it.

Another great thing to watch out for is KIWI, an Image System Builder, as the development on it is racing and its capabilities continuously increase. For now, it provides regular users with an easy way to create a Live DVD or CD by executing a simple command. What’s also very nice about it is the sheer extent of configurability it provides from a single XML file (such as creating an image with absolutely any packages that you like). KIWI is becoming just another example of the way in which openSUSE really drives innovation :).

Being an alpha release, there are of course a few bugs still lurking around, but nevertheless this is a really good time to start helping out by posting feature enhancements, bug reports, or general wishlist items in order to get them in or fixed for 10.3.