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Worst Linux Annoyances?

Posted by michael on from the don't-be-shy dept.

greenrd writes "Ever spent hours trying (and failing) to get a printer driver to work on Linux? Struggled to configure something ever-so-slightly out-of-the-ordinary? What have been your biggest annoyances when using Linux? Three O'Reilly authors are compiling a book on Linux annoyances - and their suggested solutions - and they've started a mailing list here. I can't help but think, though, that such a book will be dated quite quickly. Sure, some problems do languish unfixed for years - but equally, I suspect many of the problems will be fixed before, or soon after, the book's publication date. Still, increased visibility might motivate developers to create fixes or workarounds for some of the problems, so maybe this is an ideal opportunity to get your pet peeve finally addressed!"

3 of 1,918 comments (clear)

  1. Hardware support by Surak · · Score: 3, Flamebait

    Still not going away after 10+ years. :)

    Have you ever installed an ATAPI CD burner? Not exactly plug-and-play. nVidia GeForce card? Not bad, but if you happen to have an AMD Athlon with the AGP problem, um, have fun. :) Scanner? Web cam? These things generally aren't all that easy to install.

    When I get a webcam or CD burner and install it on Window, I pop the CD in, click 'Next >' a whole bunch of times and bammo, working hardware, software and all.

    On Linux, heh. If you don't know much about configuring and compiling the kernel, kernel modules, etc., forget it. :)

    --
    My journal has hot /. gossip.
    1. Re:Hardware support by opkool · · Score: 2, Flamebait

      Q. Have you ever installed an ATAPI CD burner?
      A. Yes. Many times. It always worked. I had to do *zero* kernel compilations or other messy stuff. The procedure: get a PC with CD-RW. Pop in Mandrake CD. Install Linux. All works out of the box.

      Q. nVidia GeForce card?
      A. For non-accelerated drivers, it worked out of the box. For 3D acceleration, I went to nvidia.com, downloaded a file, followed web-based instructions, and... bam! It's working. No magic, really.

      Q. Scanner?
      A. I don't have an scanner, so I don't know.

      Q. Web cam?
      A. Yes. I have a USB WebCam. Mandrake always detects it and configures it no problem without my intervention.

      In short, one thing. Do you want to use Linux in the desktop? Then get yourself a Desktop Linux Distribution .

      Most probably you are using Debian or Gentoo or Slackware because it's kwel and 1337. Or maybe you are using a 5.2 Red Hat. Too bad. Because Linux is Linux is Linux. So, Linux + Desktop = Mandrake.

      Peace

  2. Re:Parent point valid despite foul language by Viol8 · · Score: 2, Flamebait

    Oh right , so any behaviour thats valid in a server enviroment but perhaps not in a desktop
    enviroment should be ditched , right? Get a clue. Not opening a CD drawer may annoy some desktop
    user but it could SERIOUSLY impact a business if it happened in a server enviroment. ANd frankly I couldn't give a damn if it makes it
    as a desktop OS. If I wanted some all single & dancing user friendly piece of fluff I'd used MacOS.