On Fri, Jul 20, 2001 at 10:15:46AM +0100, Gavin McCullagh mentioned:
> I couldn't agree more, but on that basis winmodems builders would have to
> start (at least) writing drivers for linux. I think a linux
> installed computer should be considered just as normal as a windows one,
> however, every time you ask ISPs, GW2K, websites who don't check if there
> sites work with linux browsers and most hardware manufacturers to name
> but a few they say no they don't support or even recognize linux.
Gah. It's silly to expect people that don't have access to a linux box to
test does their site run on linux. The best they could do is make it
standards compliant, so that Netscape would be forced to fix their
browser, and the world would be a better place (i'm just bitted because
it's crap, and I've given up trying to make it better).
> Perhaps on that basis one could propose a sort of table to be placed on
> the packaging of all PC Software/Hardware saying exactly what it is an
> isn't compatible with on the box. Like the nutritional information on
> corn flakes boxes. This modem is intended for use on Mac OS 9.0 & Win32
> and is not supported for linux, solaris, Digital Unix.
And while we are at it, instead of people putting "External use only" on
their tubes of anti-herpes cream, we'll make them also say that you can't
use it for toothpaste, spermicide, hair cream, foot de-odourizer and
thermal paste.
> If hardware manufacturers had to advertise on the box that they didn't
> support linux, perhaps they'd be more likely to start considering writing
> drivers. At least if a digital camera worked with gphoto the company
> could say that.
And, if you forced them to support Linux, they would also considering
writing drivers. But where would that leave people that use Linux/arm
Linux/sparc, Linux/alpha, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Linux 2.2 ? Where would that
leave Solaris users, BeOS users ?
This is trying to fix a social and marketing problem with a legal
solution. Work within the framework. Examine the regulations that say you
must make availible a detailed engineers manual for any car/bike that's
your company sells; and try get that extended to computer equipment. See
could you get the government to examine the tie-in of hardware and
drivers, so that drivers are either downloaded, or bought seperately - it
would certainly reduce the price of hardware for Linux users.
Then, you could buy hardware with specs, and write driver for any wierd
hardware that you want, for any wierd OS that you run.
In the meantime, contact your supplier. As is the hardware linux
compatible. If they say they don't know, confirm that you can send it back
if it isn't.
Kate
--
When I say 'free', I mean 'free': free from bond, of chain or command:
to go where you will, even to Mordor, Saruman, if you desire. "
-- Gandalf, paraphrasing the choice between Free and Non-free software
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