[wildrhythms]

Do you think this has something to do with how many Windows programs (not just games) handle errors and crashes? Even Windows still uses the "Error code: <bunch of meaningless numbers>" scheme. I can't even think of the last time I even attempted to get crash logs for a Windows program; however, on Linux I can usually find where logs got dumped and debug without as much of a headache.

[II2II]

... and if you search for that meaningless number and manage to find a proper support page, you are usually left with as much information as you started with. I don't understand why open source developers are so much better in this respect, but the diagnostics usually leave me feeling as though I could solve the problem even when I don't have the technical skills to do so. Being able to comb through the logs to pinpoint the problem is a major contributor in this respect.

(The only counter example I can think of at the moment is Samba, and guess what ... it interfaces with Microsoft products!)

[_fat_santa]

I've noticed this too, compare any forum thread for a AAA Windows game and a Linux game, the Windows game thread is going to look like a bunch of chickens running with their heads cut off wondering why the 0x00423 error is causing the game to crash. Head over to a Linux thread and it's a usually a much more productive conversation because the errors are just clearer.