If you want the old-time GNU/Linux experience, try configuring a Web camera. Unlike most peripherals, webcams are generally not configured during installation.
Moreover, where printers have the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) and its interfaces, with webcams you are generally thrown back on whatever resources you can find on the Internet and your own knowledge of kernel modules and drivers. These obstacles means that configuring webcams can be a challenge -- but with determination and thoroughness, and maybe a little luck, you can get your webcam running in less than an afternoon.
The best scenario for configuring a webcam is when you buy an external one. Numerous sites exist for different manufacturers and models, and a Web search can often tell you whether GNU/Linux supports a given webcam. In most cases, you probably won't find much information on the manufacturer's site, but you will generally find community-built sites, often complete with user comments. Howard Shane's The Webcam HOTO, while showing its age in some ways, includes many useful links for consumers. For FireWire cameras, try The IEEE1394 Digital Camera List, which is maintained by Damien Douxchamps.
