[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux Driver Petition

[Cameron]

* briank at hex.net [2000.01.02 00:09]:
: So, what you're asking is that I assist a commercial Linux distributor
: in its quest to sell more of its product by trying to convince various
: hardware manufacturers to write drivers and/or provide proprietary info
: necessary to write said drivers?  And what, in return, does Libranet
: offer the Linux community in return for its support?  Yes, I visited
: their website, and read their salespitch. Nowhere did I see any mention
: of how Libranet will return the favor.
: 
: It would seem to me that Libranet could really give themselves a boost
: if they were to (1) join Linux International (http://li.org) and (2)
: work directly with the sponsors of that organization to achieve their
: goals. 
: 
: In fact, I feel so strongly about this that I've cc'd a copy of this
: response to the folks at Libranet for their comments.  
: 
: In the meantime, I'll reserve my support for an organization which has
: demonstrated a commitment to keeping Linux truly open-source (in
: addition to whatever commercial goals might also be involved).
: 
:   --Brian
: 
: 
: Cameron wrote:
: > 
: > LibraNet is hosting a "Linux Driver Petition" in hopes of receiving
: > 2,000,000 signatures in as fast as possible.  With a good turnout,
: > we could use this to coax some of the hardware vendors into releasing
: > specs or drivers for their products.  I believe this started on the
: > 30th, and I was number 8,224.  Not bad for 3 days worth.  Please take
: > a minute to help out the Linux community.  Enjoy.
: > http://www.libranet.com/petition.html  (spotted on Linux.com)
: > --
: > cameron
: >   [ Grow up and use mutt (http://www.mutt.org) ]
: > 

First, I agree with you about the Linux International membership.  They
should join LI if they are serious about supporting Linux.  But, I don't
completely agree with your arguement against not participating in the
petition because you don't know of the level of their support.  The fact
of the matter is that they do support Linux.  That's enough for me.  I
fail to see how LibraNet could turn this petition into a cash cow.  I'm
not one to sit on my hands and not participate in a simple petition.
I've only been using Linux for about 18 months and have had to buy a
couple hardware components to replace my previous components due to lack
of support.  I think it's well worth the 3 minutes I spent at LibraNet
to possibly sway hardware vendors feelings toward supporting Linux.

On a side note, someone did mention that petitions are somewhat trivial,
but I have a hard time not acting if I think I could make any difference
whatsoever...blame my parents.  8]
-- 
cameron
  [ Grow up and use mutt (http://www.mutt.org) ]