One thing that impacts how well linux works with a particular device is how well the manufacturer of the device supports linux. An example that I am familiar with deals with modems
1) External serial port modems are the defacto standard. Linux just has to recognize the
serial port for them to work
2) Win modems need drivers
a) Agere/Lucent supplies linux developers the core driver for their modems.
and the drivers are free on the internet..
b) Conexant charges a linux developer for the core driver and he in turn
charges for the full driver (56K + Fax) The crippled driver (14K) is free
c) Smartlink writes their own drivers but the care driver is propriatary
d) PCtel does not support linux at all. The only driver out there is one that has
been hacked by a developer who does not have any guidance from PCtel
As you can imagine Agere/Lucent, Smartlink and Conexant modem drivers work well
The PCtel modem tends to conflict with with sound drivers on certain systems.
The basic point is that choosing your hardware carefully can make linux easy. I also think that we vote with our money. Buying something from a manufacture that is indifferent to linux sends the wrong message.
That being said, linux users are always up to a challenge and usually can work around things:
Here is a link on how to make slackware boot and installation floppies and how to pass the cdrom location to the installation kernel
The BOOTING.TXT from a Slackware install disk
More Info on a CDroms and starting install from Floppies
Your lucky your uncle is well versed in unix. I'll bet he can help you get slackin