Brad Hards wrote:
> I would like feedback on the first two, including how people feel
> about PR in general, whether the style is considered appropriate (I
> know only a little about public relations), the technical accuracy
> of the pieces, and whether there should be more recognition of the
> contributions of developers (e.g. by naming them in relation to
> their work). Also, note the obnoxious copyright message on the draft
> releases - if anyone knows of a better way to do this, please let me
> know.
Also, let me know if you want to thank additional sponsors /
supporters.
> See followup messages, and please provide feedback. Even if you
> don't want to publish to the list, I'd still appreciate private
> comments.
First release:
-------------------------------
Press Release - XX March 2001
Linux USB hits the Prime Time.
NOT FOR PUBLICATION - This is a draft press release, and is a
Copyrighted work of Brad Hards (C) 2001. Since this press release
may
contain serious errors or omissions, it is not approved for release
outside the mailing list to which it is posted, and may not be
published in any form. A release version of this press release is
anticipated in the near future, which will be approved for
publication.
With the release of the 2.4 kernel, Linux users gained serious USB
support for a wide range of devices. This USB support is key to the
emerging Linux desktop market.
Linux supports both the Universal Host Controller Interface (UHCI,
used by
Intel and Via motherboard chipsets) and the Open Host Controller
Interface (OHCI, used by Compaq, Apple, SiS, OPTi, Lucent and ALi
chipsets), making USB support available to anyone with a modern
motherboard, or with a spare PCI slot available to add in a cheap
USB
host controller board. Linux also supports USB hubs, which provide
expansion to over 100 ports on a single bus.
Linux 2.4 provides USB support for devices conforming to the USB
Human
Interface Device class, which includes USB keyboards, USB mice and
touchpads, USB joysticks and USB graphics tablets. These devices are
supported such that they can appear as normal keyboards, mice and
joysticks. This means that applications do not need to be changed to
use the new kernel capabilities. In addition, the devices can also
appear on a new "event" interface, which allows customised
applications to take advantage of the additional capabilites offered
by USB devices.
Another popular USB peripheral is a USB printer. These devices
usually
conform to the Printer class defined by the USB Implementers Forum,
and Linux USB supports the Printer class. Some manufacturers have
produced printers that require special "escape" codes to enable the
USB port, however this is normally fairly easy to configure in Linux
using the normal printer tools (such as lpd and CUPS).
Unlike printers, there is no defined class for USB to parallel or
USB
to serial port adapters. This has proved less of a problem with the
USB to parallel port adapters, since many of these devices can also
be
used with the USB printer class driver, and Linux also natively
supports the many devices that use the Lucent USS720 parallel port
adapter. However serial ports have proved more problematical,
because
of the wide range of devices available, and lack of technical
information from some manufacturers. Despite these problems, Linux
now
supports a wide range of serial devices, including ConnectTech
Whiteheat, the Handsprind Visor, the range of Keyspan devices,
Belkin
and Peracom single port converters, some of the Digi Accelport
converters, and the Empeg empeg car MP3 player.
Linux also supports the USB Mass Storage class, used by a wide range
of conventional storage devices (such as floppy disks and the Iomega
Zip disks), and also used for emerging standards such as Compact
Flash, Smartmedia and the Sony Memory Stick. Some manufacturers have
used the Mass Storage device class to make digital cameras appear as
normal disks, allowing the full range of Linux file utilties to be
used for image manipulation.
Linux has provided scanner support through the SANE package for some
time, and Linux provides support for a range of USB scanners with a
set of kernel space drivers and the SANE tools provided with most
distributions.
Linux provides experimental support for a range of USB networking
devices, with the 10/100Mbps USB to Ethernet devices (using the
ADMtek
chipset) providing the most mature support so far. Support for other
devices, including the USB-to-USB devices and USB to Ethernet
devices
using KLSI and CATC devices under active development.
About the Linux USB project
The Linux USB project is developing USB support for the Linux 2.2
and
Linux 2.4 kernels. The Linux USB homepage is
http://www.linux-usb.org
Supporters of Linux USB development include: 3Com,APC, CATC, Compaq,
Datalux, Iomega, Kodak, Netchip Technology, Sandisk, SuSE and Y-E
Data.
Contact information
For further details, contact Brad Hards ([EMAIL PROTECTED]).
_______________________________________________
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To unsubscribe, use the last form field at:
http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/linux-usb-devel
