Sean Miller wrote:
> [...]
> In other words, it isn't the fault of Linux that these cards don't work
> but the manufacturers.
Hello, Sean.
Actually, I disagree - It's Debian fundamentalists who discourage SIMPLE
solutions like installing the NDIS 'wrappers' in Ubuntu because using
NDIS requires the WiFi manufacturer's proprietary drivers to be loaded.
If lots of Ubuntu users used NDIS, then manufacturers would see a demand
for Linux drivers. This has already happened with e.g. AMD open sourcing
their ATI drivers because of demand from Linux users. Note that 'demand'
from Linux users is very different to 'demands' by Linux developers ;-)
> In a scenario where a Linux PC is sold in Tesco or whatever with
> wireless this won't be an issue, because the people won't be having to
> check compatability. It will be a given. Upgrades will also be less of
> an issue moving forward because if people start buying Linux in numbers
> then manufacturers will have to get themselves in order and state
> categorically on the box whether a peripheral will work in Linux or not.
I've got a HP Pavillion dv5000 with a "Designed for Windows XP" sticker
on it - To me, it makes more sense to devote time and effort to making
sure Ubuntu runs on main-stream commodity PC's 'designed' to run Windows
than asking people to limit their purchases to PC's 'designed' to run
Linux. By and large Ubuntu does run on 'commodity' PC's, most of which
are supplied with Windows drivers for WiFi suitable for use with NDIS.
Manufacturers respond to competition and, like it or not, Ubuntu on the
desktop is still a very small niche market. If large manufacturers like
Dell and HP start to perceive Linux support on their products as a good
competitive advantage then they will provide it, as they are now doing.
I personally think that complaining about lack of support for Linux from
manufacturers who don't see a Linux market for their products is futile.
Tony.
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Dr. A.J.Travis, | mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Rowett Research Institute, | http://www.rri.sari.ac.uk/~ajt
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Aberdeen AB21 9SB, Scotland, UK. | fax:+44 (0)1224 716687
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