On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 1:47 AM, Harold Fuchs  wrote:

> None of them came with anything for Linux. The

That is when I get my housemate to return the product to the store,
claiming it is defective, because it won't install on the computer.

It takes about two minutes for the clerk to decide that it is easier
to give a refund, than explain why it should not be defined as
defective.  (ADA requirements have a lot to do with that.)

>but they are certainly not "out of the box" which is what people nowadays 
>expect.

The "futzing" that one does to get a device to work with  Linux is not
much different from the "futzing" that one does to get a device to
work with Windows.

With Linux, the device usually works when installed, no futzing
required. With Windows, one  usually has to spend ten to fifteen
minutes getting it to work --- if not longer.
(Four man-hours for tech support  to decide that a Windows Certified
Wireless card was not going to work on a Windows system.  That same
card worked as soon as it was plugged into a Linux box. )

> They also want the software to come from the company that makes the gadget.
This is the responsibility of the company that makes the gadget.
Their failure to provide the required software, reflects their
inability to provide anything that could even remotely be construed as
customer support and service.

> So until the Linux fraternity can persuade mainstream gadget suppliers to 
> support them

The Linux Community has conclusively proven that FLOSS provides better
support and solutions to hardware issues than gadget makers can
provide for their own products.    As such, gadget makers have two
options:
* Open source their software, and let FLOSS developers fix the bugs,
and port it to all platforms;
* Keep it closed source, and watch FLOSS users experience better
software than the gadget maker provides;

xan

jonathon

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