I use Linux as a desktop machine, though I also have a Windows machine on my desk to easily take care of windows-only stuff. The main case where hardware only works on Windows is software-driven hardware. There are some printers, and many modems that don't really have controllers, and rely on the host computer's CPU and software to operate. Also many hardware manufacturers don't release the specs of their hardware, so writing an open source driver is either impossible or very difficult. For instance, the specs for 3D acceleration in nvidia cards is patent-encumbered due to agreements between NVidia and Microsoft. So, if it weren't for NVidia writing their own drivers, there wouldn't be any that do real 3D acceleration.
Many times in the history of computers, people have said things about computers reaching their maximum potential with current science, but they've all been proven very wrong. And then laughed at. Moore's Law seems to keep steaming along undefeated. On Thu, 2004-02-05 at 20:50, Phil Waring wrote: > Who, if any of you, rely on linux as a desktop machine? It has been > represented to me that some hardware, i.e. certain modems and printers, > only run on Microsoft windows. While I accept the statement on its face, > I wonder why. Are the codes to make appropriate drivers impossible to > write using unix or linux, or has a means to write an appropriate code > just not yet been discovered, or what? Further, with respect to the > truth, do any of you think that we have reached close to the potential of > existing hardware in the world with software currently available, given > all the nonsense and superstition that even I suspect? And, that in > mind, would it be impossible to rewrite linux afresh with better code and > tell detractors like the SCO group to get a new idea? Piracy has existed > in many forms for a long time. Lies have existed for a long time, also. > I believe that the best things in life are free. > > How about China and its purchases of linux packages? What might China do > with such? And it seems that few are afraid. Perhaps minimal fear is > good, but Iraq did not scare me. I did appeal to a linux users group for > help. Do you think that I should have asked IBM? > > > > _______________________________________________ > General mailing list > [email protected] > http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net
