Is Modern Linux Becoming Too Complex?

An anonymous reader writes: Debian developer John Goerzen asks whether Linux has become so complex that it has lost some of its defining characteristics. "I used to be able to say Linux was clean, logical, well put-together, and organized. I can’t really say this anymore. Users and groups are not really determinitive for permissions, now that we have things like polkit running around. (Yes, by the way, I am a member of plugdev.) Error messages are unhelpful (WHY was I not authorized?) and logs are nowhere to be found. Traditionally, one could twiddle who could mount devices via /etc/fstab lines and perhaps some sudo rules. Granted, you had to know where to look, but when you did, it was simple; only two pieces to fit together. I've even spent time figuring out where to look and STILL have no idea what to do."

Comments

Slackware

[Vyse of Arcadia]

No problems here. Slackware seems to keep things simple. Granted, I haven't tried to mount a camera with DigiKam in a couple of years.

Re:Yes

[Ol Olsoc]

My question is whether it is really warranted to overburden and complicate scripts and even the functionality of some tools to pander to the quirks of hardware hardly anyone uses. My approach would be to leave it out and offer patches for the 3 people who actually want to use them.

Yet what really sold me on Linux is what you don't like. The nasty years of Windows Vista when perfectly good contemporary hardware had to be replaced. The present day situation where support for a product just goes away.

Linux now has the best support for devices of any OS.

My favorite example is when I was setting up a Dual boot system that used a USB to RS-232 adapter on both sides of the boot. I set it up first on the Linux end. No problem, Just enable the serial port (Linux looks at serial ports as a security issue) in bash, and it just worked. Now I start to set up on the Windows side. No worky. It sees the adapter, but no driver install. Nor help.

After a websearch I found out that the Adapter I had used was an old Staples adapter used for an ancient Palm Pilot my wife used maybe a decade ago. No Windows support, and none is forthcoming.

Its happily working on a Linux only system now, saved someone 50 bucks. It's also marked "do not use on Windows". Problem is, there really are a lot more than 3 of us who are using hardware other than the really common stuff. And your negative is our positive.