bugzilla advice.

[Kam Leo]

On 2/5/07, Aaron Konstam <akonstam at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> I have been roundly scolded for not using bugzilla so let me illustrate
> my current problem with this technique.
>
> 1. Currently on my FC6 machine gnome-cd crashes with a segmentation
> fault when run. No errors are placed in log/messages.. Exactly what
> information can I send to bugzilla to allow this to be debugged. On the
> other hand grip refuses to admit that the CD is available even though
> its icon appears on the desktop. Again no error messages appear except
> that the grip window shows nothing to play, so what bugzilla information
> would be helpful.
>
> 2. Similarly with the system not recognizing my sound card. What
> information would help anyone figure out what is happening. I could send
> information on my sound card. But it is an old one that no one at Red
> Hat probably has any access to. Now here is the funny thing . When the
> system boots early in the boot process the card is recognized. But that
> is the last time the system admits that the card is present. Would that
> fact be important to identifying the problem.
>
> I am not trying to be difficult but I really would like to know how
> other people approach bugzilla reporting on these issues.
> --

Here's my approach:

1. Do a Bugzilla search. Do not get too detailed in the search terms.
Bugzilla search really needs improvement. (To paraphrase "Magic School
Bus": "Don't be afraid to make mistakes."  If you do not find a match
submit a report. (Don't worry about duplicates. Search needs work!)

2. Check the FAQ of the group providing drivers, e.g. for sound ALSA.
and this mailing list.

3. If the problem/fix involves build configuration options get the
source code and build your own custom kernel/package. (That's what I
did for my old ISA sound cards when ALSA drivers for them were not
available.)

> Aaron Konstam <akonstam at sbcglobal.net>