Respected Reader I am a long time Linux user. I am a full-time web developer but I have some knowledge of C, C++ and bit of x86 assembly. I have 4 Linux system at my home - a MacBook Air, 2 HP and 1 Dell and recently I found that none of them is able to detect or work with an external microphone. I have tried every possible configuration in ALSA that made sense but nothing worked. I also tried re-installing drivers for my sound cards. Searching the Internet, I realized that I am not alone there are thousands of Linux users who face the same problem. I found this long answer explaining why this problem exists with Linux system. https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/381071/headphones-with-combo-jack-f... Many Linux users switch to windows just because of a microphone issue. I am frustrated and want to end this for once and all. I have never written a driver but I am a quick learner and have lots of patience. Please guide me with following: - Getting started with drivers - Learn about ALSA enough to make contributions to it With regards Divanshu