Mailinglist Archive: opensuse (3605 mails)

[Kevanf1 <kevanf1@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 01/06/06, Dylan <dylan@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On Thursday 01 June 2006 12:48, Marcus Meissner wrote:
>
> > The actual way to go is to get rid of proprietary modules.
> >
> > I really wonder why some people want them and not OSS drivers...
> >
>
> Because the hardware vendors cannot or will not provide the necessary
> technical information to allow the driver modules to be written. This
> is usually because they relate to patented material or material
> licenced from other companies, or the vendor is protecting their
> own "trade secrets" etc. Reverse engineering or decompiling the
> proprietry modules is not possible because they would be illegal in
> many areas.
>
> Dylan

Hence, my idea.  Take my example.  For ages I couldn't use my Canon
LiDE 50 USB scanner.  SANE did not support it and Canon were totally
unwilling to even think about creating a driver for it; I purchased
the scanner before I started to use Linux properly, by the way.  A guy
who does work on the SANE project actually owned a LiDE 50 and so it
was inhis interests to write a driver for it.  It took him some time
but he has done it.  So, that's now another piece of hardware that
works with Linux.  It's a slow drip, drip of drivers (modules if you
prefer) but they are coming.  Perhaps the day will come when the
manufacturers wake up and see the demand?
--
==============================================
I am only human, please forgive me if I make a mistake it is not deliberate.
==============================================
PLEASE DON'T drink and drive it's not clever, it's just stupid.

Kevan Farmer

Linux user #373362

Cheslyn Hay
Staffordshire
WS6 7HR

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