Re: [linux-audio-user] Companies Refusing to Release/Permit Linux Drivers

On 2/25/06, Reuben Martin <reuben.m@email-addr-hidden> wrote:
> On 2/25/06, Dana Olson <dana@email-addr-hidden> wrote:
> > On 2/25/06, Maluvia <terakuma@email-addr-hidden> wrote:
> > > Just went back and reread the thread re: Plextor drivers, as we are looking to buy a DVD-burner, and have been very happy with our Plexwriter, and previous Plextor CD burner.
> > > (Also read the entire thread on cdfreaks.com re:Pxlinux )
> > >
> > > This is the second time this month I've run into a situation where a hardware manufacturer is refusing both to release their own linux drivers/software, or the information necessary for others to write their own.
> > >
> > > This makes no rational sense to me.
> > > How on earth does it harm them to allow someone else, on their own time and own dime, to write a driver or program for another OS, unless the company is planning to write their own drivers/software and sell them - which in the case of both Plextor and RME does not appear to be the case.
> > >
> > > Allowing 3rd party drivers/software can only increase the market for their products, as they will then be usable on a broader array of operating systems. Bigger market = more $$ for them, doesn't it?
> > > What possible gain is there for them to coerce users into using a M$ OS?
> > >
> > > Unless . . . . .
> > > Not being a programmer, or knowing what is involved in writing drivers I am just wondering:
> > > could it be that MS is refusing to release whatever code is necessary for the hardware manufacturers to write their MS-compatible drivers/software unless they acquiesce to some sort of exclusivity agreement - i. e. agree to neither write Linux (or other OS) drivers/sw, nor release their own hw info that would allow anyone else to do so?
> > >
> > > I just cannot think of any other reason why hardware manufacturers would want to lock their product into a single OS.
> > >
> > > - Maluvia
> >
> >
> > I can understand, at this stage in the game, some companies not
> > supporting Linux officially, but being outright hostile such as
> > Plextor?? That is not acceptable. I'll never buy any [overpriced]
> > Plextor hardware. What is the reason? Is it even legal what they are
> > doing? I don't know the answers, but it hurts my head to even think
> > about it.
> >
>
> Don't be so hard on Plextor (or RME for that matter) Both have been
> quite open providing developer kits and specs for OSS devs for many of
> their products. Just because they may choose not to for some of their
> products doesn't make them evil. It's their product and they can do
> what they want with it. If you don't like it, buy something else.
>
> -Reuben

http://portal.wikinerds.org/interview-zeb-2005jun

Might wanna read that before you defend them. I think there is a big
difference between "not supporting Linux" and "sending cease and
desists to open-source projects."

Dana
Received on Sun Feb 26 20:21:47 2006