[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by shalym

So wait...do you mean that there are driver issues in Linux???? I thought that Linux didn't have to deal with such things as drivers??? (I know that this isn't the case, but it IS what was implied by rcentros with his "straight forward simplicity of Linux" comment)

rcentros did not say there are no drivers, he said the drivers do not cause problems. They don't. However, in some cases, a driver may not exist -- which is a whole 'nother story.

Also, it was actually this thread: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=235138 that I was thinking of with Gregg, but there's also this one https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=253163
It may seem as if I'm intentionally picking on Gregg, but I'm really not. These are the same issues that most people have with using Linux. They want to do something that is easy in Windows or Mac, but is complex in Linux.

Actually, the process was the same on linux. Gregg conflated the issue of "using an ereader on linux" with "using Windows-only software like specifically in this case Adibe Digital Editions on linux". I only wish people had been more helpful in that thread instead of haring off in every direction.

Linux users talk about how "most people only need a simple word processor and a web browser" and that's true. It all works fine, right up until they want to print out that document or web page or email. They go to Best Buy, and pick up a shiny new printer, and plug it in, and expect it to be recognized and installed automatically. Oops.

So they call the Geek Squad at Best Buy, and are told, "sorry, we don't support Linux". They call the manufacturer and are usually told the same thing.

They then call the person who talked them into using Linux in the first place (the evangelist), and the first few times, the evangelist is exceedingly helpful, and helps them immediately. After the first 5 or 6 times, though, the evangelist's patience starts wearing thin. They start putting the user off, and saying "I'm busy right now, I'll be over in a few days".

Eventually, the user either gives up completely, or teaches themselves how to use the command line and do it for themselves.

Guess how many teach themselves?

Shari

Attaching peripherals is usually fairly simple. Although certain types, like printers, have had a certain notoriety, this has gotten much better recently. Recent versions of Ubuntu for example have a tool that scans for local printers and allows you to click through setting it up. Here is a guide that shows what to expect: https://www.linux.com/learn/tutorial...nters-in-linux

The most likely point of failure is once again, the nonexistence of the needed driver. But luckily the printer support package includes a wide variety of drivers, which get updated as needed. Again, though, you might find that certain printers simply aren't supported (yet).

My experience with being begged for help installing printers has thus far been limited to helping Windows users, believe it or not. I am exceedingly helpful regardless of OS used, if they need the help, and I don't give up after it becomes obvious that clueless users are still clueless users. Whether they be Windows or linux members of the Guild of Clueless is inconsequential.




I will definitely agree that Windows offers a lot more manufacturer support -- virtually everything comes with a prepackaged driver for Windows, but often nothing for linux.