Re: SuSE kernel source retrieval frustrations

From: Kevin Nathan (knathan_at_project54.com)
Date: 08/17/03 

Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2003 09:40:32 -0600

On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 07:25:01 GMT
john henning <nospam@nospam.com> wrote:

>
> [Human factors side note: In "The Design of Everyday Things", I
> [seem to recall reading that it is not uncommon for the user to
> [blame himself. In this case, I really stretched to try to
> [figure out how it could have been my fault.]
>
> It wasn't the user's fault. It was just plain WRONG for YaST2 to
> offer me the sources from my install CDs; they aren't there.
>

With Linux, it's very often the user's fault due to incomplete or
inaccurate knowledge -- but you've pointed out an area where SuSE
needs to reconsider and where it was *their* fault. I still wonder why
they do not include the kernel sources with the Personal Edition, or
at least offer to download them via YaST if a package requires it. If
they read this ng, maybe the next version will fix that.

This is important because there are times you *need* an external
package just to get the computer running SuSE the first time. For
example, my machine is fairly old, built and upgraded by me and the
last upgrade was about two or three years ago when I put in an FIC
motherboard, a Duron 800MHz processor and a Creative Labs 3D Blaster
Riva TNT2 video card. SuSE 8.2 installed beautifully at 1280x1024
resolution but *never* could get into X after that, no matter what I
tried. I finally grasped at the last straw and downloaded the latest
nVidia drivers, installed them, and it's been working flawlessly ever
since. (Although the X database has the wrong freqs for my monitor,
an AOC Spectrum 7Glr, and requires hand-tweaking of XF86Config to get
running at all resolutions.) 

-- 
Kevin Nathan (Montana, USA)
Open standards. Open source. Open minds.
The command line is the front line.
Linux 2.4.20-4GB-athlon
  9:28am  up 12 days 12:43,  9 users,  load average: 0.02, 0.05, 0.00

Relevant Pages

  • Re: [SLE] X problems
    ... xorg.conf file was pasted into the suse xorg.conf, ... Its unlike the Suse developers not to be able do something the Mandriva ... things on the fly for the install and it too is usable. ... Xorg.log shows the correct driver is being used, but looking down the log at the resolution list, ther is nothing like the resolution of 768x576 ...
    (SuSE)
  • Re: f10 install - low screen resolution
    ... and that is install with vga=ask to let the ... user pick the resolution needed. ... *My* monitor does not identify itself properly. ... I don't think fault is an issue, there's a long-standing issue reported by multiple people, and there's a solution allowing user selection regardless of cause. ...
    (Fedora)
  • [SLE] a long-time Suser compares kubuntu and Suse
    ... Suse has always been good at that. ... Kubuntu is basically ... you see in the yast titlebar is my feature. ... for ages, then go find the software, install it, and hope it works. ...
    (SuSE)
  • SemiPainless Installation and Troubleshooting guide for SuSE 10.1
    ... The Guide is available at szornes4.blogspot.com if you would ... In fact, the first time you boot SuSE on a clean install, it will take ... Packages to Search for and Add with SMART ...
    (alt.os.linux.suse)
  • Re: Failing to get wireless card working on Toshiba + Suse
    ... > bought a copy of Suse 9.3 Professional. ... > intermittently from wireless issues. ... Once the install was over and Linux had rebooted, ... > I reinstalled from the DVD and this time, the wireless card wouldn't ...
    (alt.os.linux.suse)