Add specific troubleshooting forums

I am new to Linux and so far it has been very frustrating ... now I realize the ease and beauty of windows. But I am not giving up ... and still trying to learn linux. My problem has been getting specific information. I wish there were forums dedicated to problem solving. Like I can not print, it is a little complicated as it goes through a D-Link router, however my suggestion is to have a forum for printer problems, hardware forum is too general. Similarly I had a problem with display probably. Using Suse 10. linux, after updating nvidia driver there was no display ... not even in rescue mode, and I had to wade through too many ill organized forums and could not find the answer ... ended up uninstalling Suse and installing Ubuntu 5.10. I do not have the display problem but could not print through that either. I am not posting my problem here just suggesting that it will be useful to have forums specific to troubleshooting particular problems, for example, "Printer problems", or "Display problems" etc., so that people in distress can find the write answers quickly.

Thanks.

I think forum is a place to exchange knowledge (and solve problem as well), not only a simple troubleshooting page.
Troubleshooting is a good idea, however, didn't the search page work for you?

I don't know, in doing that you would probably end up with loads of sub-forums and that would just be overkill.

Hi

If you have a printing problem, then there is a specific site that deals with nothing but:

http://www.linuxprinting.org all you have to do is search the database for your specific make and model. There are a few makes and models that basically don't work with any distribution of Linux, but these are few and far between. The LinuxQuestions HCL (hardware compatibility list) [second choice on the Main Menu on your right] often is helpful - especially in determining whether a specific setup of computer hardware is likely to work.

It shouldn't make any difference how you connect to your printer. It appears from your post that you go through a wireless lan, so in order to be able to help you we would need to know how the printer (un-named) is connected to your system. A few clues might be helpful.

In this respect if you clieck on Tutorials, and then on LinuxQuestions.org you will see 'How to ask a question' - it is well worth a read.

Hope this helps

Specific troubleshooting forums would be overkill and confusing. We'd be better off treating each new thread as it's own forum in such cases..

I thank you for reading my suggestion and replying to it. I had not posted my problem here ... in fact I did find a similar problem that someone else had and will try that solution.

It is definitely a good idea to learn how to post a question and that should be compulsory reading before a person is allowed to sign up.

I still maintain that printing, display etc. are vital to the use of computers and having those forums will allow people to save a few steps. If you are looking for a needle in a haystack ... how is it going to help if the haystack is made bigger and bigger.

Windows has a trouble-shooting program ... which takes you through steps if you are unable to print ... it is not always a problem solver ... but it is logical ... and I like that they have at least thought of it ... Linux systems have not cared to address the problem ... even though Linux is more difficult to use and learn. Windows learnt a lot from Macs ... and Linux needs to learn a few things too.

I also checked through the hardware compatibility list ... it did not have a solution. The problem is not with the printer compatibility ... it is the DLink router (DI-704P) ... and no that is not wireless ... it is a router with an added parallel printer port. D link manual itself uses conflicting terms to describe it but the setting asks it to be labeled as a local port (In Windows shows up as D-Link port under printer - properties - details) with a port address of 192.168.0.1 D-Link provides instructions and driver for windows but not for linux ... it would not have taken much effort on their part to add instructions for Linux ... hopefully with increasing popularity of Linux they will do it.

Linux is much better now, and probably on a single computer I would have no problem using it. I had tried RedHat few years back and gave up ... the current compilations are very good ... but one still has to learn how to use linux and the learning curve is still steep ... and adding pdf reader etc. still requires jumping through hoops ... I spent few hrs every day for the past two weeks to learn by solving the above problem. I am going to take a break now. I do have a new appreciation for Windows though ... there are several issues ... but then everyone makes stuff for windows and provides solutions ... while Linux people have to fend for themselves ...and they are doing a pretty good job. I do not wish to prolong this thread ... Thanks again.