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F.A.O newcomers to the Linux & Unix sub-forum
If you are a beginner - or "noob", to use the popular terminology - with using Linux, or have questions regarding it & are considering trying it out (or making the switch).......or even if you are an experienced/veteran user, please try to provide at least some of the following with your post:-
Hardware information:-
- Make
- Model
- CPU
- Amount/type of RAM
- Amount/type of storage
- Graphics in use - onboard?/discrete?
Distro information:-
- Distro name
- Release version/architecture
Any other information you feel may be relevant.
This is more important with Linux than it is with Windows. Under Microsoft & Windows, manufacturers do their very best to ensure their hardware/software WILL work with the operating system.......and the user knows they have to do the rounds of the websites to obtain up-to-date drivers/patches/fixes/information, etc.
With Linux, with very few exceptions (mainly wifi & printing) almost ALL drivers are provided in the kernel itself. Do be aware, though, that the kernel 'maintainers' get very little help/feedback from manufacturers, and most drivers often have to be 'reverse-engineered' from their Windows counterparts.......and because most open-source developers do what they do free-of-charge (they're not being paid a salary for this stuff, usually have to hold down a full-time job to pay the bills, and mostly do this entirely in their free time - purely because they're passionate enough about it to want to do so), no Linux user is in any position to demand that X.Y or Z gets done.......and you cannot hold any individual developer to a timetable.
Please also be aware that newer computers often won't work 100% OOTB under Linux, most especially if newer hardware is part of the equation. Newer hardware needs new drivers, and because of the above-mentioned constraints, it CAN take anywhere from 6 weeks or so up to 6 months before kernel support for new hardware becomes available. Much depends on the amount of time a given developer, working on a specific driver, is able to devote to their project.....and as we all know, real life often gets in the way and demands your full-time attention.
A totally different situation from Windows, where the onus falls on the manufacturer - usually with a paid, salaried work-force - to provide & ensure drivers are available for brand-new hardware the minute it hits the shelves.....
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It's been said before, on many different fora, by many different helpers/advisers that, without relevant information, we cannot do much to help. We're not there in the room with you, looking over your shoulder. We're not mind-readers.....and to the best of my knowledge, none of our members are clairvoyant. I don't THINK any of us possesses a crystal ball!
In short, please remember; we ONLY know what YOU tell US. Help us to help you.....because without something to work with, we cannot offer any relevant advice OR assistance.
Thank you.
Mike. 
Edited by Mike_Walsh, 13 January 2024 - 08:47 PM.
Additional text/grammar & spelling corrections...
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