Everyone has problems and issues using linux. That is the point of the question.

What issues you have when using linux?

Besides some guys didn´t like my original question:

What don´t you like about linux?

and they think that talking about issues is better because everyone has issues using linux.

Gee man...

I miss the viruses, the adware, the spyware, the BSODS...

LUlzzz

fcintron,

I think the more experienced Linux user the more rare and obscure issues. They appear usually when one installs the distribution he doesn’t know, when updates known distribution to the newer version, when buys new machine or when buys some new device.

For example my last three issues concerned: a) problems with my new Internet provider’s modem-router configuration allowing to use at the same time Internet connection and local network; b) problems with installing Linux Mint GRUB’s bootloader on the beginning of the ReiserFS partition instead of MBR; c) problems with the screen blanking completely on my new ThinkPad X60s when I keep the lid closed during boot procedures.

With the kind help of LinuxQuestions.org community I solved the first problem partially, the second problem remained unsolved and the third is solved completely. My modem router works but it still renews lease and sometimes breaks the connection. Linux Mint GRUB is invalid and doesn’t allow to put the bootloader on ReiserFS partition. To avoid the problem with the blanking screen it was enough to hack one kernel file by changing two variables and compile anew i915 module.

fcintron,

Instead of asking here about issues read a few threads. Alternatively you could start a new poll asking about different types of issues.

As for your second question I can’t enumerate any disadvantages of Linux. In the past I disliked Red Had and Mandrake because they started to evolve into nice toys but I immediately decided to give a try to Debian and Slackware to pick up more serious distribution. I started with Slackware and it was, it’s and it’ll be perfect distribution for my purposes so I hadn’t the need to try Debian.

I haven't any problems at the moment, but if I had I would probably get solutions here.

Good one, Senior Member! I needed the laugh!

What I write below is subjective and somewhat speculative, but I am, at the moment, somewhat taken aback at two trends I have noted lately. One is the number of distros based on ubuntu, and two is the seeming collusion of both the dominant OS and its suppliers and HP/Compaq and at least one of its hard drive suppliers to make the alternatives that Free Libre Open Source offers to the public more difficult and, therefore, less likely to be adhered to once tried by said public. WD and Hitachi hard drives have failed for numerous consumers and at least one linux web server for no readily apparent reason other than having (speculation) firmware written to eventually reject a linux installation, causing unnecessary problems intentionally. I've seen what HP engineers are asked to do and cannot admit due to mandatory non-disclosure contracts that must be signed to work for said employer. This is not beyond the realm of probability.

I feel that ubuntu, in making linux a consumer item, is treading dangerously close to principles linux users (and Slackers most notably) cannot and will not accept. Viva anticapitalista!

Anyone else?

Generally speaking, the issues I have are from my own fault. Even though I run Slackware64-current, sometimes I'm a bit impatient and just don't understand or comprehend what I read in the changelog before updating. So far, those issues have been easily resolved just by visiting the Slackware Forum here.

My issues with Linux? No matter what I do I can't ./configure make makeinstall the blue screen of death Boy do I miss Wormdows... Err Windows

OpenOffice.org tends to cause me the most grief. But then there are always alternatives like Abiword/Gnumeric/KOffice if I ever hit a problem that is really insurmountable. So, yeah, some apps cause me a headache but there's always a way round it!

I've never been able to get the './configure && make && sudo make install' to work, once when trying to install LXDM this way on a newly installed system (Thank God) it killed GDM but didn't install LXDM.

Falling asleep at the keyboard; that's a major issue. Not falling asleep at the keyboard; that's even worse.

The GUI Root user sudo fiasco.
I have discovered that each distro has both the su command and the sudo command while sudo allows root user privileges. If you are not using a terminal for a lot of things at once it is not practical.Just log in as root and than switch user back afterwards.You may have to modify some files if your distro is dysfunctional to do this. There is nothing from stopping you from doing damage in the terminal as root, is there? NO!


Package-Managers not using a Download-Manager.
Package Managers should use a Download Manager in case it is interrupted. Packages are BIG files, da!

Distros that are released when they are not finished. If a distro needs a lot of updates it is not finished. A experienced Linux user will recognize this but an amateur will assume all linux OSs are garbage , not find the documentation that does not exist ; be practical in there minds, and give up.Only complete versions should be recommended no matter what the distro maker.

Linux graphics tend to express a lack of resources as compared to MAC and Windows.[/B]
What the resources are I really don't know. Intuitively I believe it is choice. If given the opportunity, would you rather look at something that is attractive or not attractive while having the same functionality? Mandriva understood this.No one is going to choose the ugliest product first,maybe last, but never first.

The logic behind menu organization.
Again something only Mandriva understood, not perfectly mind you. Computer file systems are presented as being all logical so why is the System>Preferences or System>Administration menus lack logic.You might find an old couch or some yard debris in there.Why are there things that need a root password in with things that don't? This GUI reflects on the rest of the system to an amateur, disorganized and hence unprofessional. No one wants a "homemade" approach to a computer which has been made to be a vital part of our lives.

GUI user ignorance.
All of the GUI functionality should be learned and then the terminal should be investigated if there is pitfall in the GUI method. If this pitfall is used enough it should become a GUI application. The GUI is excellent for learning because it will give the template of what is needed to have things work, mirrors etc, being able to choose them means you must need them.

Distros choosing to create a strong identity over another distro verses functionality in general.
This is "bloat" to an expert and confusing to an amateur so why not make the identity one of choice? "If you want a confusing useless OS press here. If no choice is made in three seconds an interface for an individual with 'Motivation to utilize a home PC' will be loaded by default." There can be more than one choice but no more than three. A decent example is the distros interpretation of KDE or Gnome. I'm biased towards Gnome but have seen Gnome desktops I would not use unless I had to develop on them. I could not justify Mandriva's KDE bloat ;but respected it. It was one hundred times better than suse Gnome in my opinion. In other words I would use Mandriva' KDE but refuse to use suSu's Gnome while I OVERWHELMINGLY prefer Gnome in general. I think that MOST of the KDE/Gnome debate is because of the particular distros rendering of them so that they are not JUST another version of GPL-LINUX. They don't want to develop their way on the Linux map so they rearrange themselves on the Linux map.

Lack of intentionally comprehensive documentation.
My first naive assumption was that developers were like circus-freaks and stamped from a genetic mold that could not communicate what their subconscious minds could achieve. They are only better than proprietary developers in a monetary sense.This is admirable mind you. Their legacy is founded on intellectual achievement which will not stand if they are superseded by the foundations that they created. Control is control and the lack of Linux documentation is the choice of the developers which marginalizes the survival of Linux.

1 members found this post helpful.

Documentation is often a problem, but it's a problem in everything. Think DVD recorders. But, being Linux, there's always a web-site somewhere with an explanation.

One-man distros can have odd bugs. If they come from the USA or Australia, the developer may forget to make sure the keyboard selector works. But then, if you know the distro has one developer and its forum lists just 50 users, you shouldn't expect Fedora or Ubuntu levels of debugging.

@theKbStockpiler: Good post, I only disagree in few statements:

Than you can not recommend any rolling release distro like Arch, LMDE, Gentoo, ... . In your terms they are unfinished and shouldn't be released. Or have I misunderstood you and you are referring to beta versions?

Can't say the same, I use Openbox with AWN, part of AWN is the Cairo Menu-plugin. It groups all apps that need root password under Administration and all others under preferences (of course apps regarding system preferences, not games or something). So I think this is not a thing about Linux, but about distros or DEs.

I think you are only partially right here. There is plenty of good documentation like the Arch or Debian wikis, but some topics in there are not easy to understand, because you have to have a basic knowledge. So it seems to be incomprehensive crap written by some geeks to the noob, but is absolutely fine to the more experienced user. For example, if you have an article about apt-get in the Debian wikis you should have the knowledge how to open a terminal.