Patrick Logan quoted Economist in his blog:
But unlike Windows, downloading applications to run on Linux and ensuring all the necessary “libraries” are in place is most certainly not for novices.
And added:
On the first point about dependencies, I have found recent releases of Suse and Ubuntu, particularly the later, to handle this well, including updates to previously installed software. I have certainly encountered at least my share of problems with Windows components, but so have I used Windows for a wider variety of purposes, e.g. I have not yet used desktop Linux with cameras, digital audio devices, etc.
Well, i do. Linux is only OS i am running on my laptop, especially since my internal hdd controller died. I am using old Compaq Evo N400C with external usb disk. I am using Debian Sarge, i have a Canon camera and Qtek 9100 pocket pc.
I never do upgrades. Last time when i wanted to upgrade package apt said it will uninstall my current kernel (i have no other kernels installed). And my feeling is that it is a common thing for upgrades to do weird things.
Almost every device i am using forced me to ether build/patch kernel or at least download something.
For my Qtek i have built from latest cvs synce-serial and libusb.
For my camera i have read gphoto2 manual twice before occasionally run it as root and it worked.
Prolific usb cable from my previous phone worked only when i do: cat /dev/ttyUSB0& echo -ne ‘AT\r’ > /dev/ttyUSB0 twice. It was hard to figure this magic sequence. I have upgraded kernel three times since i get this cable. Nothing helps.
I have never got my Wizard Pen working with Linux. Yes, i have installed all patches even thought to write driver by myself but finally i decided to just put it on shelves.
I compiled latest X Window ATI drivers for my laptop. They do not want to build out of box so i have hacked them a bit. After installing them DRI support on my second laptop (i am plugging my usb drive into it sometimes) stops working at all.
I wonder how thouse who are not on good footing with gcc use linux. I am working in IT for 6 years, i am running kernel which contains my own code. But i am continuously take out my chainsaw (strace mostly) and do a bit of surgery to get it working.
Yes, i hate windows. May be i just love this surgery.