Re: Hardware hassles: Linux vs. Windows
Christian Convey <conveycj@npt.nuwc.navy.mil> writes:
> Hi guys,
>
> Recently I've spent a lot of time digging through udev / hotplug
> issues, getting to know modprobe, modules.conf, alsaconf, XF86Config-4
> etc. This was all to get a digicam and a flashdrive to be useful, or
> to make sound/video work.
>
> As much as I like Linux and its ideals, I thought to myself, "I've
> never had to deal with issues like these in Windows. I buy a product,
> plug it in, and almost always, it just works."
>
> I'd really like to advocate Linux more to friends and family, but I
> just don't feel like I can recommend the OS to non-techies until
> dealing with hardware gets easier.
>
> Do you guys have any reflections on why, for technical / social /
> market / whatever reasons, this difference exists between the two OS's
> exists? And are those differences necessary or accidental?
>
There *is* no significant difference. Sure some hardware is harder to
install than others, but that is about it.
Go look at any Windows help forum, and you will see:
- Instructions to dialog boxes 10 levels deep (yes I am exaggerating,
but just a bit).
- Instructions to deinstall and reinstall system components that the
average user would go 'huh?!' about.
- Registry tweaks up the wazoo.
I don't see much difference. I run Linux-only at home, and I am just
as lost on a Windows box as you have been on a Linux box. It appears
different because you are used to Windows' problems, and therefore
tend to overlook them. I know *I* tend to overlook problems in my
Linux installs until I sit someone else down at one of them (less
these days since I have to support a couple of relative newcomers).
Mart
--
Sic transit gloria mundi...
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