Buying OpenSUSE?

[oldcpu]

Originally Posted by natasaOpenSuse

Well, I did the same in the past (like in the case of sound card), but as you may see it doesn't work (even though I got binary driver for it on CD).

I'll bet we could get your sound working without much effort. Start a new thread, with the title mentioning you need help for getting a C-Media 8338 sound card functioning on TBD laptop, and I'll pitch in and help. Mention the version# of your openSUSE version in the text. Also run the two diagnostic scripts from the audio troubleshooting guide, and paste into the post the output URLs that they provide. Scripts_to_run_to_obtain_detailed_information

Originally Posted by natasaOpenSuse

Same thing happened with wireless card for notebook that was supposed to use supported Atheros chip (I paid 50% more for it than competition). What a waste of money!

I like to take a Live CD/DVD to the PC store before paying my money for a laptop, and then boot to it, to see what I can learn from the Live CD/DVD about the laptop BEFORE the purchase. Thats IMHO a superior way to avoid the disappointment that you faced. Reference your atheros, most are supported. and given some time it probably can be connected to the web.

Now you mention you want a "just works" environment ....

Since you did not take a Live CD/DVD to check your hardware before purchasing, I think asking that it "just work" is not very pragmatic. If you still feel strongly about this, send the manufacturer an email complaining about their lack of Linux support. This is not something a forum like ours can directly solve.

... This thread is becoming more "SoapBox" material by the minute.

[oldcpu]

Originally Posted by natasaOpenSuse

[*]Tablet Genius MousePen 8x6 not supported hardware

Reference your tablet problem, I note openSUSE-11.0 has enhancements such that it can cope with tablets better than earlier openSUSE versions, with a link to the public post about 11.0 enhancements here:
Feature_No:_302889.29: add_more_Tablet_PCs_to_SaX2_Tablet_Section

And if that doesn't work, the chap who has done a lot of the work with openSUSE to function with tablets, has even volunteered to help users. Take a look at this post .... Information on user dkukawka and tablet support

Realistically, given openSUSE is a Linux distribution based on the open source Free Software movement, I think support such as noted above is all one can expect. And if one has complaints, the BIG area where one should be focused is contacting the manufacturer of your hardware asking for drivers. Are those manufacturers trying to help as much with Linux as we are?

[natasaOpenSuse]

Originally Posted by oldcpu

Since you did not take a Live CD/DVD to check your hardware before purchasing

Problem is that I had laptop, but didn't have wireless card in it. Usually the problem is that I have computer that I need to upgrade and not buying new computer. In some occasions I was even unable to know upfront what exactly I am getting (when buying new computer), not to ask to try it first.

It is nice when you have a choice (and I take it when I have a chance), but I find it usually not the case.

BTW about sound card it turned out that it doesn't work. I just managed to get Windows installed on the box to confirm this. So hopefully next one will work with Linux.

[natasaOpenSuse]

Originally Posted by oldcpu

Reference your tablet problem, I note openSUSE-11.0 has enhancements such that it can cope with tablets better than earlier openSUSE versions, with a link to the public post about 11.0 enhancements here:
Feature_No:_302889.29: add_more_Tablet_PCs_to_SaX2_Tablet_Section

And if that doesn't work, the chap who has done a lot of the work with openSUSE to function with tablets, has even volunteered to help users.

Thanks for the link! When I get a chance to play with a tablet, I'll let you know what does and what does not work. Nice thing would be if someone can incorporate the change in OpenSUSE packages once I get it to work (I don't have doubts about this part) since any update would break all my changes.

[natasaOpenSuse]

BTW I got my Genus MousePen 8x6 working under 10.2 at one point following mainly these links

Genius Tablet In Opensuse 10.2 - openSUSE Forums
Duncan Mac-Vicar P. » Blog Archive » Genius tablet under Linux
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/TabletSetupWizardpen

but got bored fixing it when updates replaced my changes...

[Neophyte42]

Originally Posted by oldcpu

I like to take a Live CD/DVD to the PC store before paying my money for a laptop, and then boot to it, to see what I can learn from the Live CD/DVD about the laptop BEFORE the purchase. Thats IMHO a superior way to avoid the disappointment that you faced.

Thank you for this idea - I'll make a LiveCD to take with me if I'm able to convince my folks that a new laptop is fair wages for a laminate floor install and an application of blacktop sealer on the driveway.

[rajko_m]

natasaOpenSuse wrote:

> Looking at this calculation, MS Windows looks cheap.

And it works the same way ;-)

> I would wonder why OpenSuse (Novell?) didn't come with another option
> like bounties for certain issues that would help financially effort to
> solve certain issues for more users (something like webmin team used to
> do).

Problem is that Novell has focus to enterprises where numbers are
appropriate; solutions that will replace in house personnel that cost much
more, need solutions fast.

Second, I can only guess that Novell think that openSUSE with bounties will
compete with SLED and SLES. There was discussion to make openSUSE
alternative to small business, but no one came with idea how to do that
without jeopardizing income from business flagships.

--
Regards, Rajko
http://en.opensuse.org/Portal needs helpful hands.