Return to BSD News archive
Path: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au!newshost.anu.edu.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!news.mira.net.au!inquo!in-news.erinet.com!imci5!pull-feed.internetmci.com!news.internetMCI.com!newsfeed.internetmci.com!uwm.edu!news.cse.psu.edu!news.cc.swarthmore.edu!netnews.upenn.edu!msunews!wieringa From: wieringa@cps.msu.edu (David W Wieringa) Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.development.system,comp.os.linux.hardware,comp.unix.bsd.bsdi.misc,comp.unix.bsd.netbsd.misc,comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc Subject: Re: Why to not buy Matrox Millennium Date: 25 Apr 1996 04:25:15 GMT Organization: Michigan State University Lines: 47 Message-ID: <4lmurb$svn@msunews.cl.msu.edu> References: <31785FD3.214C1457@lambert.org> <stephenkDq63JA.8JK@netcom.com> <31797567.1943F730@lambert.org> <stephenkDq7ADH.Aq@netcom.com> <317AC4A1.6625FEE1@lambert.org> <4llf50$eh5@news.siemens.at> Reply-To: ktw@solaria.sol.net NNTP-Posting-Host: pacific.cps.msu.edu X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Xref: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au comp.os.linux.development.system:22328 comp.os.linux.hardware:37253 comp.unix.bsd.bsdi.misc:3518 comp.unix.bsd.netbsd.misc:3370 comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc:18146 [trimmed a few superfluous newsgroups] Ingo Molnar (mingo@pc5829.hil.siemens.co.at) wrote: : Terry Lambert (terry@lambert.org) wrote: : : I suggested that people reserve judgement pending a policy change. : : [ how to to be constructive about this whole issue : Your assumptions about how this world works are wrong. : No real marketing arguments can be used to stop monopolistic companies. : It's simply the best way to earn money - and always will be. /.../ : Please prove me wrong Since the original topic of the thread had to do with hardware peripheral manufactures and their willingness to provide the information neccessary to write a driver, I'll offer the example of Xircom in support of Terry's strategy. Both the Linux and FreeBSD PCMCIA driver development teams currently have Xircom cards listed as "Avoid due to manufacturer's unwillingness to provide documentation". I'm in the market for a card and a local dealer was offering me a Xircom at a reasonable price. So I politely queried Xircom on their policy toward supporting the free unix projects, making it clear that my purchase decision would be based on their doing so. Earlier today I got back a reply which included the following: > From: ds9@xircom.com (DS9) > To: ktw@solaria.sol.net, sales@xircom.com (Sales) > Subject: Re: xircom driver support > I have forward a copy of this message/reply to sales. I have attached > a couple of text files which list the contact person for Linux > drivers. They can provide more information concerning the availability > and usage. > > For the CEM/CM Product Line > > There are no drivers currently. There has been a great request > for this type of driver. After many letters, the marketing team has > created a way for freeware users to gain access to the information > needed to create their own drivers. If you are interested in > creating you own driver fax your request for information to Carin > DeGorff at (805)376-9311. /...