Device drivers

[mathematician]

What a flipping useless operating system Linux is. Its not enough that you have got to compile the drivers before you can use them, but, when you do try and compile them, you discover that there are syntax errors in the source code. If you happen to be a C programmer (as I am) you stand an outside chance of getting them working; otherwise no chance at all. I can't be bothered to even try and plough through pages of source code trying to figure out what's wrong. I will use a proper operating system (Windows) instead.

If the drivers came already compiled (Windows, MS-DOS, Mac OS) the vendors would be guaranteed to find the mistakes in their own code before they inflicted it upon us.

Rant over.

[Juan Pablo]

Linux is NOT Windows

Read this http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW1.htm

all your knowlegde is against you.
Be aware you haven't paid a dime for Linux
Most people doesn't compile, only you!

Have a good time fighting malware, I'll enjoy Linux while you are doing that (installing precompile binaries ).

[Zelmo]

My word, he's right! How on Earth have I gotten along for the last few years on such a useless operating system? I mean, I've had to install, like, TWO drivers between my desktop and my laptop (one on each) because they weren't included in the kernel. Of all things! Of course, the video driver for my desktop wasn't strictly necessary since X comes with one that works... it's just that the one from the vendor's Web site does better 3D. And come to think of it, that DID have to be compiled. Luckily the installer did all the compiling necessary, and it has always compiled fine. I guess it knows not to go bad since I'm not a C programmer and wouldn't know how to fix it if something went wrong.

And then, after I had to install one driver for each of my machines, all the software I wanted was too easy to find and install, and it all works pretty darn well. I guess I can't speak for the anti-virus software, since that's not been a concern. But that just adds to my getting rusty as a Windows fixer, because it's one less thing that I ever have to fix on my home machines.

Dang, Linux is spoiling me. What a useless OS! Thank you for reminding me of what I've (not) had to put up with all this time.

Seriously, though, if you're having trouble and will take the time to rationalize your thoughts, there are a lot of competent people on this board who are happy to help wherever they can. What are the details of your current dilemma?

[minthaka]

They are right !
I'm matematician too, programing in many Windows - oriented languages, and in the beginning it was very difficult to me to change my way of thinking about Linux. But now, day by day I'm getting more and more convinced, that the future is Linux. Some things you have to accept as they are, and sometimes you'll have to wait for a proper distribution fits all your hardware requierements. If you're bored with Suse, Debian Etch is coming soon (1 month or so).
Don't give up !

[mathematician]

I have been trying to get a Sagem F@ST 800 modem to work with Linux, but I gave up on that. I also have a Speedtouch 330 which has been mouldering in the cupboard for some time, and, since Windows can work perfectly well with either, I thought I might as well try that instead:

1.) Does the SuSE distribution come with a driver for the Speedtouch? Absolutely.

2.) Is the kernel able to detect the presence of the Speedtouch?
Again, absolutely.

3.) Has it got enough gumption to put the two together, or even own up to possessing a driver?
Not a chance.

Since I have got a perfectly good connection working on the Windows partition, which it didn't take five minutes to set up, I don't think I can be bothered any more.

Does the future lie with Linux? Not unless there is a rewrite of a large part of the kernel it doesn't.

[mathematician]

They are right !
I'm matematician too, programing in many Windows - oriented languages, and in the beginning it was very difficult to me to change my way of thinking about Linux. But now, day by day I'm getting more and more convinced, that the future is Linux. Some things you have to accept as they are, and sometimes you'll have to wait for a proper distribution fits all your hardware requierements. If you're bored with Suse, Debian Etch is coming soon (1 month or so).
Don't give up !

"Programming in many Windows orientated languages." Is C a Windows orientated language? It is true that Windows is mostly written in C, and that the Windows API gives the impression of having been developed with C in mind, but the great irony is that C was originally developed as a tool for writing the Unix operating system!

[Juan Pablo]

If you don't like it, stop being a troll and use Windows. We are here because we enjoy Linux.

[mathematician]

If you don't like it, stop being a troll and use Windows. We are here because we enjoy Linux.

I probably will, but, having been driven up the wall, I was going to vent my spleen somewhere.