Can someone explain to me (or refer me to more information) what do you get if you buy OpenSUSE? I am mainly interested in “support” but it is not well described and explained on OpenSuse/Novell site. What do you get for your money?
Do you get support for install on more than one computer or not if you buy one box (it is open source?)?
Do you get support for any number of devices (15+)?
Does Novell provide support for hardware that is semi-supported under Linux (it can be made to work under OpenSUSE but there is no direct support for it through installer/setup and/or installed packages)?
What is the level of support you get? Can you get developer assigned working on your case?
You get the full user manual printed, and also there’s more software included on the discs since it’s a dual-layer disc. If you’re looking for a (very) long term support, you should buy SLED or SLES, depending on your needs.
I am perfectly fine with short term (90 days) support since main thing for me is successful installation (and setup) on 7 different computer with different devices attached to them.
What I am looking for is help with things like:
None working sound card C-Media 8338
PDFs incorrectly printed on HP LaserJet 6MP (bottom is not printed)
DVD drive not recognized after booting installation DVD.
Tablet Genius MousePen 8x6 not supported hardware
…
Most of those things in the past I managed to work under different OpenSUSE versions but it was a pain (and time consuming), and I would be willing to pay if someone is willing to fix these things for me (once and for all) :D. I don’t want to be chasing kernel patches, driver patches, xorg.config patches, etc… I would like to install OS and that it just works!
[/QUOTE][/li]This is supported: Matrix:Module-cmipci - AlsaProject
If it didn’t work for you, its because you had it configured wrong … also, … I’ve always researched my hardware before purchasing any sound card (or motherboard with built in sound) to ensure it is easily configured for sound.
I’ve never had a DVD not recognized. Mind you I have always researched extensively before purchasing “any old” DVD drive, to ensure mine is supported easily.[/li]
Tablets are not supported as well as other hardare, but still, I suspect this is supportable. Now if only my wife had taken the time to either (a) ask me, or (b) research before she purchased her tablet, and she might have a functioning one under Linux. Mind you given she is a major windows lover, I don’t think she cares about Linux compatibility.[/li]
Don’t we all. But you know, you show me a Mac user who does not first check the box to see if it lists Mac compatibility, or if not on the box, then first very very very extensively check the internet for compatibility, … and if you can show me a Mac user who does not first check that, I will ALSO show you a very unhappy Mac user.
I have hardware (not my wife) that “just works” under Linux. But I took the time and effort in advance to ensure the hardware I purchased “just works”. If you want the same, then you have to do the same sort of research.
I’m thinking your post should be moved to soap box.
I know, but it doesn’t work, and I don’t see that I was able to do something wrong to prevent it from working (OpenSUSE 11rc1/10.3).
Problem was in kernel & motherboard, not DVD. When supplied during boot parameter to use generic IDE it worked “fine”, but slow.
I didn’t know was it supported under OpenSUSE, but knew somebody had it working under Linux, and price difference between this model and the one supported by OpenSUSE is at least $100+ (I would rather give these money to OpenSUSE folks ;))
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). 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! :mad:
I still didn’t get answer what do you get with Novell’s support and my initial question.
On Thu, 2008-06-19 at 19:26 +0000, natasaOpenSuse wrote:
> oldcpu;1820795 Wrote:
> > This is supported:
> > ‘Matrix:Module-cmipci - AlsaProject’
> > (http://www.alsa-project.org/main/index.php/Matrix:Module-cmipci)
> > If it didn’t work for you, its because you had it configured wrong
>
> I know, but it doesn’t work, and I don’t see that I was able to do
> something wrong to prevent it from working (OpenSUSE 11rc1/10.3).
>
> oldcpu;1820795 Wrote:
> >
> > I’ve never had a DVD not recognized.
>
> Problem was in kernel & motherboard, not DVD. When supplied during boot
> parameter to use generic IDE it worked “fine”, but slow.
That merely uses old style PIO mode to access the DVD through
the ide-generic driver. You don’t want this ideally. Is it a
SATA DVD? Do you know what ide/data controller chipset you have?
Its my parents’ computer and I don’t have it right now here. This was problem with 10.1. Initially 10.1 was using kernel that was several versions behind current (where this issue was fixed). Is it still issue I don’t know.
I appreciate help but we are getting off the subject.
Question was about Novell’s support of OpenSUSE. Anyone has info about it?
So, to rephrase my question, “What kind of support do I get from Novell for my $$$ if I purchase OpenSUSE boxed version?”
Do I
A) Pay $60 and get support that I need?
B) Pay $600 (10x$60) and get support that I need?
C) Pay $60 or $600 and get same support (minus lost time and money) as if I paid $0?
Looking at this calculation, MS Windows looks cheap.
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).
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
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.
[/li]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?
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 :o to confirm this. So hopefully next one will work with Linux.
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.
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.
> 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.
