System: Dell Inspiron 1100
Distro: Suse 9.2, kernel 2.6.8-24, KDE 3.3.0
Dual Booting with Win XP
And I'm totally new to this OS.

Looks Cool, but this Lemon stalls at every new turn...
I love the open source ideal and philosophy. Linux is so customizable and cool looking! And it seems there's good software for just about any job, but...

...I just wish it worked!

Yeah, I'm a newb here, but I'm actually quite an advanced Windows user and I thought migrating to Linux would be easier for me, frankly. However, I find myself more and more frustrated every time I boot into that side of my computer.

Pocket PC won't sync
No sound
Can't burn DVD
Can't play DVD
Modem detected, but won't dial
Shutdown sticks at PCMCIA line
Print Screen doesn't work
Scanner won't work

This is what I managed to discover in one day. I detailed the problems of each individually elsewhere in this site. This post is a cry for moral support. What more lies ahead?

Someone please remind me of the “Pros” because I'm waist deep in the “Cons” right now.

Thanks for your patience and help,
James Carruthers

I think a lot of us have suffered the same type issues. For some it's the challenge of actually having control of your system, not just a limited amount that you may be allowed, but the option of total control. For some it is the satisfaction of a stable system that runs fairly fast on older hardware. I have a 1 gig AMD machine that will burn cd's at 52X booted into Mandrake and only 24X reliably running Windows. It can also be viewed from a limited budget standpoint. I have 1 copy of XP Pro and can't put it on but just one machine. I have several different distros that I can throw on any number of machines that I want. There is a learning curve and some hills to climb, for some it seems worth it, for others not. I and a lot of other people seem to think it is. The hardest part for a new kid on the block can be getting good support and this sight is one of the best there is for that. I hope you don't get too discouraged and give up because it really is worth the experience. Good luck in your efforts.