After 30 years using Linux, I have only 4 complaints - and 2 send me back to my MacBook

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Follow ZDNET: Add america arsenic a preferred source connected Google.

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Linux has been my default OS for decades.
• Although it's been an astonishing journey, it's not ever perfect.
• Here are a fewer gripes I inactive person astir the open-source OS.

Since 1997, my acquisition with Linux has been astir each positive. It's precise uncommon for maine to tally into an issue, and erstwhile I do, it's usually casual to resolve. I've utilized Linux for desktops, laptops, tablets, phones, servers, and conscionable astir everything you tin imagine. 

But that doesn't mean everything has been perfect. Linux has a fewer lingering issues. In immoderate cases, those issues person improved but person yet to beryllium afloat resolved. 

Also: After 30 years with Linux, I gave Windows 11 a accidental - and recovered 9 wide problems

Two of the issues beneath person caused maine recurring problems implicit the years; I adjacent erstwhile had to accidental goodbye to 1 of my favourite distributions, Bodhi Linux, due to the fact that of dependable issues. One contented is simply a substance of sensation (but it truly bothers me).

Enough with the setup; let's get to the issues.

1. Audio signaling tin beryllium glitchy

This is astir apt the contented that has plagued maine much than immoderate other. Given that I enactment with a batch of audio and video, I've had to conflict with dependable issues connected Linux for years. Now, I'm not talking astir mean dependable usage here. Nearly each Linux distributions are straight-up plug-and-play erstwhile you privation to perceive to your favourite tunes connected Spotify.

It's erstwhile you dive into the satellite of recording dependable that things tin get frustrating. From stuttering, dropping out, oregon simply not playing, dependable tin beryllium problematic. Years ago, I had a broadside gig arsenic an audiobook narrator, and Audacity connected Linux gave maine fits trying to get it to enactment with immoderate regularity. I would person to restart the strategy and leap done each sorts of hoops.

Also: I'm a creator and my caller favourite Linux distro is multimedia perfection - here's why

Fast guardant to past year, erstwhile I went to grounds different audiobook, and the aforesaid occupation deed me. Fortunately, this clip I was capable to easy lick the occupation by plugging my mic into a Focusrite Scarlet 2i2, and each was well. 

Most radical don't person an outer dependable interface lying around, truthful this contented needs to beryllium addressed. Keep successful caput that dependable issues don't plague lone Linux; Linux seems to endure from them much than different platforms. This contented isn't a Linux kernel occupation per se, but alternatively an contented with underlying dependable servers specified arsenic Pipewire. (Pipewire is the replacement for ALSA, which had superior issues that seemed to ne'er beryllium resolved.) These issues are not arsenic atrocious present arsenic they erstwhile were, but you tin stake that if I person to record, edit, oregon premix sound, I'll astir apt bash it connected MacOS, due to the fact that I don't ever person clip to troubleshoot.

2. Laptops don't suspend properly

If you usage Linux connected a laptop, you astir apt cognize that suspend/resume tin beryllium a problem. You adjacent the lid, and erstwhile you unfastened it, it's ever a conjecture whether it'll travel backmost to beingness oregon the artillery is dead. 

Also: The champion Linux laptops: Expert tested for students, hobbyists, and pros

This is not the lawsuit with each distribution, and it tin besides beryllium a release-to-release issue. I've experienced 1 distro merchandise wherever suspension worked, and past successful the adjacent release, it wouldn't. This is the main crushed I thin to spell for my MacBook, alternatively than 1 of my Linux-based laptops. Battery beingness connected the Linux machines is good unless I adjacent the lid, astatine which constituent each bets are disconnected owed to suspend issues. Or, I mightiness unfastened a lid of 1 of my Linux laptops and the OS won't travel retired of suspension. 

In immoderate instances, the occupation goes to video operator issues that forestall the OS from waking up. As well, it tin alteration from hardware to hardware, truthful Linux and hibernation tin beryllium a existent crap shoot.

3. Bluetooth disconnects

Bluetooth problems aren't isolated to Linux. I've experienced Bluetooth issues connected Linux, MacOS, Windows, and Android. The quality is that determination person been times erstwhile the solution connected Linux was to simply not usage Bluetooth.

And that's not ever an option.

Also: Frustrated with your Bluetooth? How multipoint works - and wherefore it sometimes won't

This Bluetooth contented is astir often related to sound, though it tin beryllium connected the hardware you're using. For example, I usage 3 antithetic dependable amps, and I tin lone link 1 of them -- the WiiM Amp Ultra -- via Bluetooth with immoderate regularity. The different amps amusement up, and I tin link to them, but Bluetooth instantly disconnects.

The Bluetooth contented isn't isolated to dependable devices; it besides affects mice and keyboards. I person 2 mice: 1 Microsoft Bluetooth and 1 Logitech that uses a wireless receiver. The Logitech ne'er has problems, but the Microsoft Bluetooth rodent often does.

If you bash request to usage Bluetooth connected Linux, I would urge installing the Blueman Bluetooth manager, arsenic it gives you much power and troubleshooting options.

4. Default acheronian themes

This is simply a substance of idiosyncratic preference, but it lone ever comes up connected Linux. For immoderate reason, developers person decided that acheronian themes are the champion option. When I instal a Linux distribution, there's astir a 99.9% accidental that the distro volition default to a acheronian theme.

Also: The astir beauteous Linux distributions 

I get the thought down acheronian themes: they are easier connected the eyes successful low-light conditions. But who works astir of the time successful darkness? 

Not me. The precise archetypal happening I ever bash with a caller Linux installation is power it to a airy theme. I whitethorn beryllium the unusual 1 out, but acheronian themes wounded my eyes.

It would beryllium bully if developers followed the pb of distributions that springiness users a prime connected archetypal login astir which taxable to use. This is particularly existent for caller Linux users who mightiness not cognize precisely wherever to alteration the taxable astatine first.

That's it for my database of gripes. It's abbreviated and sweet, but it would surely beryllium bully if these issues were addressed erstwhile and for all.