[99907] in RedHat Linux List
Re: "Winmodems" (Support in Linux)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Ramon Gandia)
Tue Nov 17 14:33:20 1998
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 10:21:13 -0900
From: Ramon Gandia <rfg@nook.net>
To: redhat-list@redhat.com
Resent-From: redhat-list@redhat.com
Reply-To: redhat-list@redhat.com
Aaron Clow wrote:
>
> Linux didn't support my onboard SCSI at home (Adaptec AHA3940), and my computer was
> all SCSI... Hence, I had to go out and buy an IDE CD-ROM (when I already had a
> SCSI CD-R and CD-ROM), as well as another hard drive... I had all 5 PCI slots
> filled, so getting another SCSI card wasn't an option...
>
> I guess I was just fed up with actually having to buy MORE equipment for my home
> computer so I could run Linux on it. I am NOT looking forward to spending more cash
> on a new modem when I already have a 33.6 that runs fine in Windows. Plus, if I'm
> going to be spending cash on more computer equipment, I'd rather get a new G200 to
> replace my AGP Millenium II than spend the same amount on a new external modem...
>
> I guess I was just a little ticked off at myself for buying a winmodem and I took it
> out on Linux! 8)
No offense taken!
But Linux is not a commercial environment. The drivers for all
this hardware are developed and released by the goodness of
someone's
heart. No one gets paid for it. Now developing a driver for some
hardware can be trivial, or it can be quite difficult. It doesn't
help if the manufacturer simply does not want to cooperate.
SOMEDAY, Linux will have enough penetration into the user base
that
manufacturers will release Linux drivers with their products.
Just imagine: you buy a new SCSI adapter, or a new LinModem, and
there on the CD is a \Win2001 and a \Linux directories.
Until we get to that point, it is not fair to take it out on
Linux.
Be thankful that Linux is where it is now. It should get better
in a year or two. I have been doing Linux since 1994, and I have
seen it really go a long ways. Back in '94, '95.... when you
wanted to run Linux you had to choose your hardware VERY
carefully.
Today, for most hardware, its no problem. Oh, Linux might be a
few months behind the release of some new-fangled device, but soon
enough it works.
We need to put pressure on the manufacturers to support the
"Cool: It Works With Linux" thing. It seems to me taht this is
now starting to build up. Just call the manufacturer and send
them some email and snailmail about your SCSI card. At some
point it will make a difference. It may not help you get the
driver TODAY for your card, but 6 months or a year from now when
the manufacturer is about to release a NEW 1999 model SCSI card,
they will support Linux in some way.
--
Ramon Gandia ==== Sysadmin ==== Nook Net ==== http://www.nook.net
285 West First Avenue rfg@nook.net
P.O. Box 970 tel. 907-443-7575
Nome, Alaska 99762-0970 ======================= fax. 907-443-2487
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