You are all looking at this the wrong way

Here you are, complaining about compiling a new kernel, trying to get nvidia drivers to work, auido not working...etc

How about you acutally learn Linux ? I am not saying Fedora is bad but there are better distros out there like Debian, Gentoo and Slackware. It might be scary but research,study and search here for any thing you dont know what to do. Instead of having problems, work on them and FIX them.. learn LINUX

I have no problem fixing all of these issues. I've used linux primarily since '98 and I've picked up a little knowledge in the past 6 years on how to use it.

It does bother me that I read articles about linux moving to the desktop, yet increasingly unfinished distributions are being released. "First timers" using FC2 may stray away from linux all together, so I don't recommend it for them.

I'm not saying to not bother learning how to use linux. Most of these problems are things that I enjoy fixing. However, if you actually use your computer for things other than fixing it... you might want to stick with FC1 for a while till all of this unfinished business patches up.

I've tried it on three PCs now (2 are laptops) and I like it, though there are... issues

Gnome 2.6 is great and I LOVE the new Nautilus (which works much faster by the way). This is a subjective thing but if you hate it you can easily change it back to a 'browser' rather than 'spacial' mode. All three systems are faster on FC2 than FC1, which is nice. For me it's great though, and I really hate KDE and its file browser for what it's worth.

One the desktop PC I have a problem where the USB mouse doesn't work after waking up from a screensaver (and when I try to log out of Gnome after this, X crashes). Very strange.

The laptops work ok but there are some hardware compatiblity things to address.

My suggestion would be to wait a couple weeks before installing so that fixes to common issues are readily worked-out. The Windows MBR bug doesn't concern me since I don't use Windows anywhere but it may be an issue for some people.

The lack of .rpm association seemed strange to me too

Guys,

I am a huge fan of FC1 and it is rock solid. I have running a desktop and a server.

This weekend I have tried to update the desktop machine to FC2. A TOTAL NIGHTMARE!!

- it does not recognize the standard GRUB boot loader and comes with a strange message during the installation, hence I had to restore the XP partition and then to perform a clean install
- it cannot connect anymore to my SAMBA server which is still on FC1 which is causes the whole nautilus hanging......
- NVIDIA drivers will not run! After the installation, it will blank all the screen......


In SHORT, DON'T GO TO FC2!!!!!!!!! It is almost on the same level quality as windoze!!!


Kingmaximus
"Without Linux, you would have seen the world behind a window"

You guys aren't real supportive of this project!

I've installed FC2 without major issues ( except for the windows xp thing, but I managed to fix it )...

Nvidia driver = recompile a 2.6.6 kernel without 4kstacks/regparm. (figured out by visiting forums).

Sound bug with Gnome... fixed 2 weeks later by an update to the package.

All these issues are bound to happen with ANY distribution... I spent half a day ironing out the issues before I was happy with my FC2 install. Big deal.

FC1 was great... FC2 is even greater! Quit bitching and get with the program.

Peace!

n00b with attitude.

If you don't have a dual boot, I'd say go for it! I've been using FC2 for a few days now and for me it has proven faster and more stable than FC1.

I like it a lot

I installed it and everything works on my machine. Yes there are several bugs, but they're pretty minimal in my opinion (and no, I don't dual boot so for me that doesn't count as a bug).

Suse 9.1 on the other hand, not a damn thing worked in it when I installed it 3x last night on the same box (I went back to FC2).

For what's it worth....

I've had FC2 on my dual boot for almost two weeks, and I have had a few problems with it (NVIDIA driver, lack of RPM association, are the two biggest), but like a few others, I've checked out this and a few other forums and attempted some of the fixes to these problems with success (recomplied the kernel to 2.6.6) and failure (can't associate the rpm, but opening rpm's via Terminal).

Yes there are bugs in the release, but in comparison to WiNdOzE, the Linux/Fedora community seems to do it right - there's always someone looking at the end product, identifying problems, and fixing them in a prompt manner - not keeping users waiting every month for fixes that have been identified up to six months earlier.

I'm still a fan of Linux, and Fedora...this is part of the proces of improving a product that has the potential to beat Microsoft...

Guys,

sorry to the comparison with Windoze...just disappointed. If linux wants to get to less technical people and therefore beat M$, it needs to become more easy to use / install /etc.

I was sceptical about the move of Red Hat to a "community" release, but once I have installed FC1, I felt in love. FC1 was still developed under the Red Hat flag, while FC2 is the first release managed as "community" release. So, is it bad project management, or quality? Not only the installation thing or RPM association, but even the SAMBA problem is driving me crazy and I would like to spent my time to enjoy FC rather than solving issues...which should be solved by FC2 team.....

Kingmaximus
"Without Linux, you would have seen the world behind a window"

There were way more bugs in FC1 than in 2... like the mimetype bug in gnome... the disappearing drawers on the panel... moving and disappearing applets... as well as annoyances like the gdm beep that had to be removed... all services enabled after installation... FC2 is where its at for me... this is the best distro I've used in a loooong time....

I disagree with kingmaximus when he/she says linux needs to get easier to install or use. It is already easier than XP. Easier to install, easier to install drivers, easier to install software, easier to watch movies, easier to burn CDs. Of course there are exceptions (like nvidia drivers and dvds in fc2). This is one of the benefits of mandrake/suse, as they are quite refined in newbie install and use. There are even easier ones (linspire/xandros) where the user has very little to do in installation and setup.

I don't think the fc2 up2date stuff can match urpmi. Even the apt available for fc2 does not have the package base that urpmi has yet. I am sure it will come. This is a fast developing area, we are sure to see this become less of an issue in the future, as the benefits from apt/urpmi/portage/etc filter between each other.

The nvidia driver problem is because nvidia will not release it to the world. Notice that XP does not come with it either. Too bad about having to recompile, this is not the case with most distros, you can just run the existing installer in console mode. I have tried with fc2 and can verify that you need to recompile with the flag off (mentioned by jale2ice). You need the kernel source too.

About the comments on the multimedia libs, this is one of the benefits of mdk (plf) and some specialty distros, they have better access to multimedia stuff that is not allowed in us distros.

I notice at least one of the core2 problems was also in mdk10ce, too bad there is not more sharing of info between companies, as mdk fixed this in 10 RC1 (or maybe even one of the betas).

To answer the question, I think fc2 is worth it. There are a number of people who will have problems, but for most it will be solid and easy. I would suggest mdk10 'official' for the people who had problems with fc2. It has been through the 'community edition' phase to get rid of most of the frustrations you are having with fc2, and it is only 3XCDs instead of 4.

This seams common.
Good thing I don't have Windows on my computer.

The XP dual boot problem is easy to fix, simply:

sfdisk -d /dev/hda | sfdisk --no-reread -H255 /dev/hda

as root. You may have to add the --force option.

Man what are you smoking? Last I checked I didn't have to download multiple files and install them in a cryptic sequence to watch a dvd, install drivers, or any software on winXP. Nevermind the fact that winXP can share a printer for other machines to use in under 2 minutes, whereas 3 days later FC2 still won't let another machine use it's printer.

As for my SUSE 9.1 pro install, well, the install looked pretty, but other than looking at a command prompt it wouldn't do much (no X, no sound, no printer etc...)

The driver problem has nothing to do with nvidia not releasing it to the world. It has to do with a kernel change to 4k stacks (something I don't even want to understand). And although xp itself doesn't have the latest geforce drivers (it is 2 years old now), the cd that comes with the vid card does.

I would largely agree, although I skipped FC1 (other machine at home has RH9 on it). It's a fun OS to play with and most recent hardware seems to be supported in it.

Ok I'm a complete Noob when I comes to Linux. I started just a few months ago trying differnet distros and settled with FC1 and now I'm on FC2 which is so far been great. I will admit that I tried Linux in 1999 and just couldn't do anything with it. So I'm Back to try it again and let me tell you this is a huge improvement with ease of setup.

Compared to the other distros that I've tried FC seams to be the most stable for my system. It has also been the most easiest to get setup of any OS I've used. (Been networking with Windoze, DOS, Zenith, and a few other OS over 14 years) Samba setup was a snap, just as easy as doing a share on a Wintendo machine.

I did a LAMP setup right out of the box. Just had to plug in my TCP/IP numbers and give it a host name and (to steal a great line) BAM!! it worked.


Now I just need to figure out all the security stuff for a webserver and I'll be on my way.

I think Linux has finally gotten to the point that it can really give MS a good run for its money now. My only complaint is software installation is a bit of a pill in general. There needs to be more software availiable for it both commercial and personal. But as a server its top notch in my book. I would recommend using it in a server enviroment to anyone.
Well that's my on FC2 and linux.