I was recently shopping around for a cheap laser printer and everytime I asked shops will it work will Linux, they had no idea. "Eh?" Some would look at the manual and only one (Samsung ML-2010) explicitly said it does. Because it also had the best price (this was before the Brother sale...), I got one.
Well, surprise. The CD did contain a Linux driver but it didn't work either for my Debian or Kubuntu setup. I searched the net and saw that some people managed to get theirs to work through a series of what looked like difficult and error-prone steps to me (and specific to their distro). There was one, however, who said the driver for ML-1710 also worked for ML-2010, It turns out Kubuntu included an ML-1710, so it became a simple matter for me. But the fact alone that if you ask any computer shop about a particular hardware (printer, scanner, internal cards, etc.:"Will it work with Linux", they will probably check the manual and if it says "works with Windows 98" or 2000 or XP or Vista or even Mac, but no Linux, then that's probably what they'll tell their customers too. Here's my suggestion: that PLUG compile a list of known hardware (esp. those available locally) that a local user has verified does work with Linux (with some necessary details like ML2010-- use ML1710 driver etc.); make copies of this list; and distribute it to computer shops (perhaps with contact details for PLUG people who can help beginners out). Something like: Hardware: Known to work with Comments Samsung ML-2010 Kubuntu use ML-1710 driver Canon LIDE 25 all distros use TWAIN driver The second example is just for illustration, I don't know if it's true, probably not. The first is my personal experience. If this compatibility list helps shops make sales. perhaps later it may be turned into a regular (guarterly? bimonthly? publication that shops may be willing to subscribe to if only to break even in the printing and mailing costs. This will also give all PLUG members something to do: list all the hardware working with your Linux setup, with the necessary details and send it to the editors of the Linux compatibility list. Then everytime you get a new hardware to work, send the editors an update. Later, shops will get into the habit of asking PLUG about new hardware. This will challenge PLUG members to learn asap if some new hardware can be made to work with Linux. (Someone can always bring live CDs of several distros to the shop and test compatibility on the spot,) By the way, if anyone who replies to this wants a response from me, please send me a copy by private mail. I'm a hundred msgs behind and may not see your PLUG reply immediately. Regards to all, Can that earn me PLUG membership? I'd like to apply. Obet _________________________________________________ Philippine Linux Users' Group (PLUG) Mailing List [email protected] (#PLUG @ irc.free.net.ph) Read the Guidelines: http://linux.org.ph/lists Searchable Archives: http://archives.free.net.ph
