Re: Linux in a binary world... a doomsday scenario

[Felix Oxley <lkml@oxley.org>]

On 9 Dec 2005, at 05:49, Miles Bader wrote:

> The last bit of hardware I bought, a super-cheapo NIC (for use with an
> ADSL modem), prominently stated it was "linux compatible".   
> Morever, all
> the other brands of super-cheapo NIC alongside it on the shelf did the
> same thing; they all used the defacto linux logo -- the chubby  
> penguin --
> on the front of the box to indicate this, next to the windows logo to.
>
> The fine print on the side of the box said something to the effect of
> "linux driver is included with OS, not in box" (whereas a floppy with
> windows driver was in the box).
>
> I dunno, maybe there's something weird about NICs or something...
> I suppose for them it's a no-brainer, since they generally know their
> stuff will just work in linux, and the only cost to them is someone to
> insert the logo in the box art.  Also, since competition among low-end
> brands like that is probably ferocious, even a little marketing  
> advantage
> is probably worth persuing.
>
> [But in my experience, it's certainly not _unusual_ to see "linux
> compatible" on random consumer hardware boxes these days (I live in  
> Tokyo
> though; maybe the market's a bit different here than where you live).]

Two advantages to a certified logo program:

1. To ensure that the driver actually works, continues to work and  
fully supports the features of the hardware.
2. To enable PC manufactures to badge their entire systems (e.g. a  
Dell with a Linux Compatible sticker on the box).

The long term objective being to put those manufacturers who don't  
supply open source drivers at a disadvantage.

regards,
Felix
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