On Sun, 28 Sep 2003, alex wrote:
> Not exactly a Debian only topic but where else is the degree of > experience and expertise available besides this Debian list? > > Suppose someone wants to put together or buy a computer ---something > that is fully compatible with Linux.....no makedo patches such as > for winmodems or other components, etc---how can you make sure > you're getting what you want? > > What are the indicators that will tell us whether the components are > fully Linux compatible, whether they are part of a ready to run > Windows computer, a systemless computer, a bare bones box, or one > that you build from scratch? > > Is there something that prevents manufacturers from clearly stating > that a product is fully suitable for Linux? It's done for MS > Windows. Is this some kind of legal or technical issue, or is it > some kind of 'business arrangement'? > > Wouldn't it be nice if there was a notice or disclaimer that clearly > stated, "100% suitable for Linux" or "Not suitable for Linux" > > With the universal recognition and use of Linux as an operating > system, it seems strange that you don't see components or a whole > computer clearly identified as fully suitable for Linux even though > it may have MS Windows installed. > > alex The website of the particular distribution concerned is the best place to look. But even then, be precise. As a newby I was held up on install for about a week because yes, I had done my homework, and I knew it was an S3 graphics card, and it was apparently covered in the specs, but a minor variation and the associated driver almost made me give up. There are politics and the associated profit factor involved of course, hardware manufacturers have been applying for 'M'soft compliance' for a while now. There'll be money involved there. But other factors are also involved such as manufacturers not wishing to give away too much information about their product, so that Linux drivers can be manufactured for them. Then again, other manufacturers manufacture their own Linux drivers. Nvidia is noted for this. The consolation prize is, as Linux gains greater market acceptance, manufacturers are changing to gain a greater percentage of the new market share, so persistance is the answer to success in this as it is in anything else. It's not hard to get a linux box together, the profit factor accumulates with the knowledge. Regards, David. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
