I'm quite happy user of Arch Linux. BUT…

Recent upgrade changed Xorg to new version which requires HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer).

Problem: when HAL is turned on, it totally breaks my keyboard – generates extra “key presses" when using “special" keys – I press windows key, and get letter “F" extra. I also lost ability to self-repeat keys by pressing them longer. Right alt – stopped working. Down arrow – generated also “M" letter. Right shift – doesn't work. All in all one big mess.

Solution was “trivial": remove hal, and add to xorg.conf section to disable hotplugging:

Section "ServerFlags"
    Option "AutoAddDevices" "False"
EndSection

I just have to write it, because I might hit the same problem someplace else as well, so I will now know what to do.

Side note – I happen to use wireless Logitech keyboard, which apparently is a bad thing, because any kind of mention “I have a problem with keyboard and X" prompts questions about my Logitech – even if the same keyboard works flawlessly on console, or in X without this HAL thing.

Maybe I'm getting grumpy, but Linux on desktop actually worked for me much better 2 years ago, than it does now.