To me the issue goes somewhat deeper: from my limited perspective as a
hardware novice, I just can't see why different drivers are even
necessary. As far as I can tell one wi-fi card does exactly the same
things as any other wi-fi card: is is too much to ask that the hardware
should be constructed so that it works with old software which is
already out there and functioning perfectly well? I accept that when
there are technological breakthroughs the drivers need to change; but
what we seem to have at the moment is a rerun of the old
Apple/Apricot/Microbee/Commodore/Amiga hardware wars with each (wi-fi
card, scanner, printer...) manufacturer refusing to run software -- i.e.
drivers -- just because it was made for a different piece of hardware.
Surely making a new piece of hardware that will fit into an existing
system should be the responsibility of the hardware manufacturer, not
the user OR the operating system manufacturer. Isn't it a bit like the
printer manufacturers trying to stop you using generic ink by sneaking
microchips into their cartridges?
Jon.
*nod* The real problem is not that Linux is hard to install: Windows is just
as damn hard, and just as painful, for non-technical users.[1]
The problem is that when you buy your machine it comes with Windows installed
for you, by someone else, and you don't have to worry about it.
Daniel
Footnotes:
[1] Heck, it sucks for technical folks too, a lot of the time.
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