I use Linux (Opensuse) and needed a joystick to play games that must have a joystick using the emulators MAME and MESS. I also have other more particular emulators such as TISIM.
This joystick worked out of the box, just plug in, run the program and it works. No setup required. Note that most old games are for simple 4 axis plus fire, so most of this joystick will not be used.
It also works fine with the old Linux native game Rocks n Diamonds and is very good with Neverball where the world tilts to guide a rolling ball. KDE Control Centre (System Settings in KDE4) has a calibration tool but you probably won't need it. I didn't.
The thrust control worked well on Neverball but it is generally irrelevant to most old 4-way joystick games.
Joystick input is only available on games written for joystick input of course. On some I had to identify the device, which on my system is /dev/input/js0 (the games default was /dev/js which didn't work). The unmaintained linux program qjoypad may enable you to use a joystick with programs not written for one but I havent tried it yet. Look for it in KDE3 repositories.
Yes this joystick has a plastic shaft and should not be treated TOO enthusiastically. I once had one with a metal shaft, long ago, but they are now very rare.
Recommended for us old game players who still enjoy the real classics.