Microsoft primes PC buyers for Premium Vista

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Actually with the exception of some: exotic hardware most drivers really are generic and can be easily created (and they are for that matter) in the Open Source realm. Why? Because an open architecture standard was utilized in creating the component.

Case in point, all video cards must adhere to a set standard of operation. Knowing this it's easy to write a VESA driver (for those that know how that is!) and the video card is functional. From there the developer can extrapolate how certain functions are done and then enhance his driver. X-Org is a prime example of this as is XGL.

All sound cards (at least to my knowladge) again use a very common set of open standards for operation. So the same applies.

Where we run into driver issues are specialty hardware and wireless NIC's. Case in point, I can take any IDE DVD burner and plug it into a Linux machine, boot the machine and start burning... no drivers or special software needed. Why? Because the IDE interface is based again on an open standard of communication. So therefore creating the software to operate it is easy.

In my experience I have not had a driver issue with Linux in the last 4 years. I have been using Linux for close to 8 years now. And 8 years ago... drivers were a massive pain in the backside. But now, not really an issue.

You see someone will come up with the printer issues or scanners. The reason they may not function well with Linux is because the protocols and standards are closed so that prohibits Linux folks from using that piece of hardware. The problem with this is that if you deny a Linux user the ability to use your product, he can very easily start recommending to all of his Windows using friends that that particular piece of hardware is inferior... from there it's a cascade effect. So in essence the hardware manufactures that are trying to lock Linux out are really hurting themselves in the long run.

Remember word of mouth about a product still carries a lot of weight. And if I run into hardware that is not Linux friendly I will never recommend it to my many Windows using friends! That equates to lost sales which equates to lost income. And granted the initial impact is small, but as the number of Linux users grow that impact will grow as well.; Posted by: Linux Advocate Posted on: 05/24/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use