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Eg: 6 days on and off trying to install a usb HP scanner under FC2. XP = 2 minutes (not even a reboot). PnP WORKS on Windows, and sometimes for Linux.
> I'm sorry, but I (for one) find this argument both tedious and > ineffectual.
You say that PnP works on Windows? By any chance did you have to install the drivers *before* plugging in the HP Scanner? And where did those drivers come from? My guess is that the drivers that allows you to use yout USB Scanner under Windows XP sure as hell did not come with Windows XP. They came on a "drivers and documentation disc" that was sitting nicely in the box along side your Scanner and cables.
I know it is a technicality, but it certainly is *NOT* a trivial one. Windows XP does not support more hardware than Linux. More hardware manufacturers support Windows XP.
What Linux needs to do is talk to a specific hardware manufacturer and persuade them to develop linux stuff, then SUPPORT THAT COMPANY BEYOND ANY OTHER. Only that way will other companies see that it's worthwhile supporting linux.
Surely this approach would push Linux further into a niche market? It isn't the responsibility of the OS developers to support hardware developers/vendors, it is the responsibility of the hardware developers/vendors to support OSs. To clarify what I said above: they ain't gonna support Linux if they don't know you're using it. Tell THEM.
Maybe some form of happy penguin sticker "Linux supported" on the packaging could help, licenced by Linux HQ. (Think little-red-tractor on food)Already happens in some places. The "documentation" that came with my USB key (from LIDL) said it works under Linux 2.4 kernel series. As did my card reader. They didn't actually have the little Tux logo, but it was mentioned on the box. My printer (Samsung MLxxxx) *did* have a Tux logo. Bought from Asda.
-- Simon Avery
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