The first version of GeekoCFD can be downloaded from SUSE Studio Gallery. This brings all the features listed in my previous announcement, plus a few fixed to the installation system of the live-DVD, an updated kernel and Java virtual machine, and a few other minor fixes listed in the changelog.
I am waiting to know if the distribution can be freely released without modifications, or if I have to remove the openSUSE branding to be able to do that. The SUSE Studio and openSUSE team should answer soon. In the meanwhile, you must have a SUSE Studio account to access to the images.
I have a few (8) invitations left, so, if you are very interested in testing GeekoCFD, please contact me. Of course, trusted friends with Linux or CFD experience will have precedence. 
A few tips:
- If you install your system, or you use a permanent USB image, you can install accelerated 3D drivers if you have a nVidia or ATI card. Please, read the instructions carefully to properly select the driver you have to install for your video card.
- If you run the virtualized image, be sure to allocate enough memory for the virtual machine, or some application may fail to load. The same consideration applies to the live DVD, if the RAM of your system is not sufficient. The live DVD however can use an existing Linux swap partition if detected at boot.
- To install openSUSE updates, proceed as usual, using either YaST or the updater applet.
- To update OpenFOAM from the git repository (this is recommended only on an installed system):
- open a terminal
- become root with the command ‘su’, which will ask you to insert root’s password
- cd into /opt/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-1.7.x
- type ‘git pull’.
- type ‘./Allwmake’ to build OpenFOAM with the updates.
Enjoy š
4 Comments
JohnMichaelKane
Hello Alberto.
Have the Novell / openSUSE Project replied back, regarding status of a possible public release?
Alberto
Unfortunately, no. The last thing I heard from them is that they are working on formulating more friendly rules for redistribution of openSUSE-based images.
JohnMichaelKane
One more question.
In it current form, is GeekoCFD stable for daily use, and production environments?
Alberto
Well it depends on the definition of āstableā š
GeekoCFD is basically openSUSE 11.3 + the tools listed. If you think openSUSE 11.3 is stable for your use, GeekoCFD has the same level of stability, it will download openSUSE 11.3 updates for its whole life-cycle, and offer the same software selection.
The only issue I found is that if you install it, and you compile OpenFOAM, you might have to go with a full wcleanAll and ./Allwmake, to build everything from scratch, since the package has been built on my local installation. This is clearly not necessary if you just need to use OpenFOAM or compile your code with it.
Best,
Alberto