Anyone use Linux on the desktop with a document scanner? A big component of my at-home PC use is scanning documents (I'm a self-admitted digital hoarder). I have a Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500, which is "supported" by Linux/SANE. I have tried to use this scanner under Linux, and while it does work, the problem is that the Windows-only Fujitsu software (ScanSnap Manager) does a lot of useful things to the scan data: straightens the document if it was fed in at an angle; converts to PDF; adjusts contrast, white levels, etc so the digital result magically looks like the physical document; and more I'm probably forgetting.
I have Ubuntu on a little NUC PC attached to my TV. The other day, I heard the fan running loudly on this system. Ubuntu's update system, across several processes, was collectively pegging both CPUs at 100%, causing the fan to ramp up. Why does an update system (which was waiting on my input) require so much CPU?
The huge number of distributions is both a blessing and a curse. Ubuntu has clearly put a lot of effort into the ease-of-use aspect. But what I found (years ago, to be fair) was that if you had any non-trivial problem, the forums weren't terribly helpful. On the other hand, a distro like Arch has fantastic documentation, and really knowledgeable forum users, but you need that because you're doing everything by hand. I haven't found the sweet spot that gives an Ubuntu-like experience out of the box, but has a very technical Arch-like community.
The statements the author made early in the article really resonate with me. I consider myself a Linux "pro", as I've been using it as an enthusiast for 20 years, and have been a professional admin for about a decade (server-side, not desktop). So I have fixed or feel I can fix just about any Linux issue. But at this point in my life, after work, I don't have the time or desire to fiddle with things, I want them to "just work".
I have Ubuntu on a little NUC PC attached to my TV. The other day, I heard the fan running loudly on this system. Ubuntu's update system, across several processes, was collectively pegging both CPUs at 100%, causing the fan to ramp up. Why does an update system (which was waiting on my input) require so much CPU?
The huge number of distributions is both a blessing and a curse. Ubuntu has clearly put a lot of effort into the ease-of-use aspect. But what I found (years ago, to be fair) was that if you had any non-trivial problem, the forums weren't terribly helpful. On the other hand, a distro like Arch has fantastic documentation, and really knowledgeable forum users, but you need that because you're doing everything by hand. I haven't found the sweet spot that gives an Ubuntu-like experience out of the box, but has a very technical Arch-like community.
The statements the author made early in the article really resonate with me. I consider myself a Linux "pro", as I've been using it as an enthusiast for 20 years, and have been a professional admin for about a decade (server-side, not desktop). So I have fixed or feel I can fix just about any Linux issue. But at this point in my life, after work, I don't have the time or desire to fiddle with things, I want them to "just work".