I don't believe, that AVM will/is able to provide any userspace solution for ISDN fax emulation in the 10.1 timeframe. AFAICS, there's even a framework missing - if possible at all - which would allow this and meet the tight timing requirement of such a task.
If they don't want to provide a userspace solution, they can still ship binary only kernel modules. And the infrastructure for that is in place. Please look at the following link for details. http://www.suse.de/~agruen/KMPM/KernelModulePackagesManual-CODE10.pdf
That does not help the folks owning a USB device, does it? ;-) A kernel module stays a kernel module even if wrapped nicely! If it the upcoming kernels really prohibit loading non-GPL USB drivers, there is no way out: Userspace or being disconnected. IMHO, userspace won't happen.
IOW, if a customer asks me for an upgrade of his SUSE and Fritzcard!PCI based fax solution, I have to tell him, that he has to buy an expensive AVM B1 card and throw away the old one, what do you think they will reply to me?
It will work, see above.
Not for everyone, see above.
I hope this will not damage the reputation of SUSE. I expect that you will be able to download all binary only drivers in RPM packages before 10.1 hits the shelves. So the only people disappointed will be those who don't download the drivers before installing SUSE Linux 10.1 and have no other way to obtain these drivers.
... plus those unable to understand that even with a driver at hand, no connection to the internet can be made. I know, this update to the kernel USB API is not mainly SUSE's problem (although Greg, the originator of the patch, works for SUSE/NOVELL ;-)), but the bottom line is clear: 10.1 will be the no-go-box for many users out there. I can only hope, that they have a second running installation (i.e. an installation with Internet connection) available to them... Take care, Lysander Pensch -- DSL-Aktion wegen gro�er Nachfrage bis 28.2.2006 verl�ngert: GMX DSL-Flatrate 1 Jahr kostenlos* http://www.gmx.net/de/go/dsl