It looks like we'll be getting more drivers faster :) Hopefully, they won't have to sign NDAs or release binary-only drivers.
Mike ----- Forwarded message from [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Linux and Windows 2000 Interop, Part 7: Innovation in Device Driver Development By Robert Williams Device driver development historically has been a major league headache for both hardware product manufacturers and software developers. Hardware manufacturers face dilemmas distributing pre-lease devices, and providing appropriate information and support to a wide variety of developers. Inevitably, only a small percentage of software developers can access the equipment, and even fewer can accord proper support. >From developers' perspectives, especially in smaller and emerging companies, this presents a frustrating maze of roadblocks to developing proper devices critical to their application's success. At LinuxWorld, I encountered Tucson, Arizona-based DevelopOnline ? a company that could revolutionize device driver development. Not surprisingly, DevelopOnline (http://www.developonline.com) won the award for the Best Embedded Solutions. The DevelopOnline business model is simple but very elegant. The company offers online access to devices and support materials. Hardware manufacturers provide DevelopOnline with pre-lease devices and appropriate interface information, and software developers rent online access time to develop and test drivers. This business model provides an equal playing field for software device driver developers and gives easy, and relatively inexpensive, access to new equipment and appropriate technical support. Hardware manufactures also gain with an immediately larger acceptance and support of new products. Go take a look at their Website; this is a real innovation! About the author(s) ------------------- Robert Williams, PhD is President of Enterprise Certified Corporation, a consulting services, training, and IT professional certification organization. He was President of professional services organization PDS Advanced Technologies, president and founder pioneering UNIX applications developer Decathlon Data Systems, and a senior executive at UNISYS and System Development Corporation. He was a dean of research at the University of California, Los Angeles and California State Polytechnic University. He was also the featured speaker in the international road shows sponsored by Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Compaq and Tech Data on UNIX and Windows NT interoperability. He is the co-author of the best seller The Ultimate Windows 2000 System Administrator's Guide (Addison Wesley 2000), Windows NT & UNIX: Administration, Coexistence, Integration and Migration (Addison Wesley 1998) and other books. ________________________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL RESOURCES HP opens print driver source code, releases server appliance for Linux http://www.itworld.com/jump/integ_nl/www.itworld.com/Comp/2362/LWD010404hpdrivers/ How you can leverage the 2.4 Linux kernel to make Linux your desktop OS http://www.itworld.com/jump/integ_nl/www.itworld.com/Comp/2362/IW010122oppetreley/ Linux 2.4 and USB Until Linux USB drivers ship with desktop products, Linux will not rule the desktop http://www.itworld.com/jump/integ_nl/www.itworld.com/AppDev/353/lw-01-penguin_3/ ________________________________________________________________________________ COMMUNITY DISCUSSIONS Troubleshooting NT/2000 Whether you're in a tight spot or in the position to lend a hand, this discussion is all about problem solving. Windows pros exchange tools, resources, and hard-earned knowledge here. Sometimes your sound card won't work even if you've got the right drivers loaded. http://www.itworld.com/jump/integ_nl/forums.itworld.com/webx?14@@.ee6baf6/566!skip=504 Version Control Linux is making its presence felt on the desktop, but is it stable and polished enough for prime time? Talk distributions, window managers, themes, and desktop politics here. Have you gotten your drivers for CD burning working under Linux? http://www.itworld.com/jump/integ_nl/forums.itworld.com/webx?14@@.ee6b663/446!skip=402 ________________________________________________________________________________ CAREER CORNER GIVE YOUR CAREER A JUMPSTART What's the best way for system administrators to jump-start their careers? With a Sun Certification in the Solaris Operating Environment. Sun Microsystems offers the most advanced, comprehensive training and certification available. 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