From: Chris Muth <rockbox_at_muth.cc>
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2003 15:19:04 -0500

#include <rant.h>
#include <flame.h>

It's not looking good, so, I'm afraid the answer is yes.

Fact: Hardware manufacturers do not like to document their hardware such that a third party can write a driver.
Fact: Hardware manufacturers would prefer to be developing newer and optionally better
hardware that work to keep that 1[+k] year[s] old piece of hardware working with the latest kernel rev.

As soon as hardware manufacturers can write one binary (N.B. the part about it being binary) driver for their
wares that works in Linux-x.y.z, and know that it will work in all future versions of Linux, then
they will start to support Linux.

I know virtually 0 about the internals of the Linux kernel, I could not even write the simplest of modules.
With the programming I have done, I know just what pain maintaining reverse compatibility is, I do not
slam the developers of Linux for not wanting to deal with this problem. However, it will need to be addressed before
we can expect hardware manufacturers so seriously consider supporting Linux. Welcome to reality.

My asbestos body armor is securely in place, let the flame war begin.

-Chris Muth


On 10/21/03 at 10:02 AM Chris Hoekstra wrote:

>You know, I love linux. I run Mandrake on my laptop, and Red Hat on my
>servers. I started with slackware back in the early 90's. Very good OS.
>
>However, isn't it sad that we are STILL using statements like "Amazing!
> It found all my hardware!". I wonder if we will eternally be plagued
>with getting support for hardware on the linux side?
>
>Chris Hoekstra
>
>Mat Holton wrote:
>> Yeah, that's what I though...oh well never mind.
>> On a lighter note I downloaded the Knoppix ISO last night!
>> Utturly amazing! It found _ALL_ mu hardware (including my TV Card!!),
>USB, everything - great!
>>
>> Now, I need to install it and try and remember a few basic linux
>commands... ;-o
>>
>> mat
Received on 2003-10-21