On 05-Nov-04 Ti Kan wrote:
[...] Linux, on the other hand, works on a totally different model. Most drivers and software for devices are developed by people not connected with their makers. In a significant percentage of cases it is done without any documentation or support. Given that, it is quite amazing that Linux works on such a large array of computers and devices at all. Linux is gaining, but it will take time for more vendors to provide direct support. Also, many vendors haven't really figured out the open source philosophy and that sometimes gets to be a problem. [...]
Things used to be different (in increasingly long time ago ... ).
When I got my first "personal computer" -- a Sharp MZ80B (Z-80 based
64K CP/M machine), *in the box* was a complete technical manual with
the machine code for the operating system and the specs for the
interrupts and data registers for the attached devices (screen RAM
and tape drive in the first istance). When I bought serial board and
floppy drive add-ons, these too came with the same full specs.
Likewise the independently manufactured Anderson-Jacobson 300-baud
modem I got later.
So you could program anything with your own bare hands (and I did:
anyone interested in a serial modem comms program, "terminal
emulator", written in FORTRAN??? [guess why]).
But things have changed. I really wonder what manufacturers think
they gain by concealing the interface specs for their devices.
Maybe it's just too much trouble and expense for the no doubt
small fraction of the market that really wants to know. However,
there's no doubt that it can make the going very sticky for Linux.
Best wishes to all,
Ted.
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E-Mail: (Ted Harding)