Right. And we all know how well hardware works without drivers. Windows being the most popular operating system, there is the most potential income in appealing to the Windows market.

“and they do so BECAUSE linux community pressured them to do so – without a voice, nobody would be heard.”

This I don’t agree with. Partly because of the ‘Linux community’ part, when ‘A linux community’ would be more accurate. The number of operating systems that use the Linux kernel is many, and there is no single community that I am aware of.

Mostly, though, what I meant was that some companies either see Linux as a popular enough OS that it could provide a potential source of $$$, or because they think that Linux users shouldn’t be left to make their own drivers. Either way, these companies are great and there should be more of them. And any company that won’t release their api doesn’t need my business anyways.

Basically my little rant was based on the fact that writing a Linux driver is not the responsibility of anyone who doesn’t want to. It would be like boycotting a fancy restaurant for not providing ketchup– some people like it, but mostly it wouldn’t even be used.

yes ati does produce drivers for linux, so do many companies… and they do so BECAUSE linux community pressured them to do so – without a voice, nobody would be heard.

The thing about linux is, you can do what you want. Many things you said I agree with, but I can see Rea’s point too.

@Linux users should pressure companies for drivers:
No, we shouldn’t. They are successful companies because they make money. Linux offers no money to them, so they direct their resources to other things.

Many companies do, in fact, provide drivers for linux, for example ATi. This is because they see linux as a great system, and they can devote the resources to create drivers, at their expense.

Also, if the hardware itself is any good, chances are someone’s already made a driver for it.

In conclusion, the whole point of GNU/Linux is that it is an alternative to the 3 or 4 expensive systems. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to use it. If you like it, go ahead. Nobody asks anything in return.

all of those are VALID, even if you don’t feel it’s so. how about you get your facts straight before you say anything?

There are viruses/malware that target linuxes.. however it’s VERY difficult for any kind of attack to be successful. you comparing linux to a port-o-john is quite wrong. many MANY companies use linux as their primary web server due to the fact that it is very secure. I work for a bank, and yes, that’s what they use – so to use your line… yes, people are trying to break into this port-o-john, unsuccesfully, but your bank is empty.

Linux is free – as in ALL of those things. it’s free in all ways that software can be free. the sourcecode is free (to modify and contribute as you see fit), it’s free to call what you want (linux, redhat, gentoo whatever) as in speech, it’s free to run, it’s free as in liberty, beer, speech, freedom, butterflys and free as in your pirated software. the difference between you going to pirate bay and downloading photochop, is that i’m allowed to own linux… you, on the other hand, are not allowed to own photoshop.

yes, system uptime is a great way to measure how reliable a computer is… yes i know you’re too busy rebooting your computer to care how many milliseconds it’s been up… whatever, don’t get uptime envy – just get linux.

linux users can be pesky, it’s true, but with reason. linux users are passionate about their system. and why not? and i really don’t see why you’d equate the drivers of the cars folly to the linux os, or those who use it? that’s like saying “you run windows – you must be a better driver than those linux users” use your head if you’re going to make a simile.

i agree, linux should pressure companies to develop drivers for their operating system, just like microsoft pressures companies, just like mac, just like you… that’s called business… sorry to burst your bubble.

learn a little; think for yourself; and don’t talk shit about shit you don’t know.