Linux Supports More Devices Than Any Other OS

w1z4rd

w1z4rd

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Linux Blog recommends an interview up on the O'Reilly site with Greg Kroah-Hartman, long-time Linux kernel hacker and the current Linux kernel maintainer for the USB driver core. He updates the free Linux driver program announced almost two years ago, which has really caught traction now with more than 300 developers volunteering. The interviewer begins by asking about Kroah-Hartman's claim that the Linux kernel now supports more devices than any other operating system ever has.
"[One factor is] the ease of writing drivers; Linux drivers are at normally one-third smaller than Windows drivers or other operating system drivers. We have all the examples there, so it's trivial to write a new one if you have new hardware, usually because you can copy the code and go. We maintain them... forever, so the old ones don't disappear and we run on every single processor out there. I mean Linux is 80% of the world's top 500 super computers right now and we're also the number one embedded operating system today. We've got both sides of the market because it's — yeah it's pretty amazing. I don't know why, but we're doing something right."
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http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/11/04/236238
 
Slootvreter said:
Oh does it really? Suppose that's why I have to use Ndiswrapper for my WLan? :rolleyes:
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Because you bought crap hardware from a dodgy hardware vendor to lazy to write proper drivers or keep in line with enough of international standards.

Can I suggest better hardware vendors for you?

Its orsm to know that you run linux at your home :D
 
Normally I would agree but considering the fact the other day I had to use Ndiswrapper and couldn't get a touch screen to work.

I seriously doubt this (still not happy)
 
Linoman said:
Normally I would agree but considering the fact the other day I had to use Ndiswrapper and couldn't get a touch screen to work.

I seriously doubt this (still not happy)
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I notice some people are not thinking right. Tell you what.. for every occasional ndiswrapper driver problem you may have to use.

Think how many routers, modems, NAS devices, exchanges, switches and such can run Windows compared to Linux.

If you have ADSL you have ADSL router that is most likely running something like Montivista linux. Think how many similar devices there are in every home. Think about things like play stations and dvd players. Yup... linux.

I have not got XP running on an embedded device before. So yeah, the argument is very very true.
 
w1z4rd said:
I notice some people are not thinking right. Tell you what.. for every occasional ndiswrapper driver problem you may have to use.

Think how many routers, modems, NAS devices, exchanges, switches and such can run Windows compared to Linux.

If you have ADSL you have ADSL router that is most likely running something like Montivista linux. Think how many similar devices there are in every home. Think about things like play stations and dvd players. Yup... linux.

I have not got XP running on an embedded device before. So yeah, the argument is very very true.
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Yes it does run on more devices that we do not know about. However I am not talking about routers or touch panel displays at wonkaworld etc.

I mean general devices that people use everyday, that also counts. Such as using a Cannon printer in Linux:eek:

Before you rant at me, I actually use and love Linux:D
 
w1z4rd said:
Because you bought crap hardware from a dodgy hardware vendor to lazy to write proper drivers or keep in line with enough of international standards.

Can I suggest better hardware vendors for you?

Its orsm to know that you run linux at your home :D
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I would hardly say D-Link is a crap vendor....

EDIT: I don't have a PC at home. Two at work. One with XP, one with Ubuntu.
 
w1z4rd said:
Because you bought crap hardware from a dodgy hardware vendor to lazy to write proper drivers or keep in line with enough of international standards.
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This is a bit off topic, but it really grinds my gears that when a piece of hardware doesn't work on Linux, it's the OS's fault, but if it doesn't work on winders, the blame falls on the hardware vendor and a lack of proper drivers, aka the right place :mad:

/rant

Oh, well. Good article, w1z4rd.
 
Slootvreter said:
I would hardly say D-Link is a crap vendor....

EDIT: I don't have a PC at home. Two at work. One with XP, one with Ubuntu.
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Yeah, that d-link runs linux :) So now you have 3 devices. A windows machine as you said, a linux machine and a linux router.

So so far in your home / office, linux is supporting more kinds of devices that windows :D

Hey linoman.. I am sure there are loads of divers linux doesnt have yet (thanks to siffy vendors with MS lockins) .. saying that. Linux supports more devices (as mentioned in the OP).. than any other OS.
 
funny - i still have to fight with kubuntu to get any display to work correctly... whereas windows it just works!.
 
No OS is perfect, thing about Linux is that if only more vendors provided support.

However since Windows is desktop monopoly we will still see most support provided for that platform.
 
Linoman said:
No OS is perfect, thing about Linux is that if only more vendors provided support.

However since Windows is desktop monopoly we will still see most support provided for that platform.
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+1. I must admit that I am quite impressed with Ubuntu 8.1, so much so that by the next release I might change my sig to something like Linux is not SO bad. :D
 
w1z4rd said:
Unlucky.
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9 different displays ranging from Philips, Nec, LG, Dell & Samsungs, Videocards : a couple of ATI's : 9600, HD3650 and one or two others, Nvidia MX440, a MX4000, couple of the FX range, 8800gt 9800gt - all can't have the same problem on EVERY SINGLE ubuntu and kubuntu release! and in every single case i had to edit files to get them to work correctly or comparable to XP/Vista... - not ONCE did it every just work like on MS products!

Luck or stupidity has got nothing to do with it. Its what you get from free software ;)
 
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surely those who complain about ndiswrapper should be asking themselves how many device drivers they have had to install to get their devices. In Linux on my box, my webcam is probably the only thing i have to manually install. Everything else is picked up and ready to go. on windows almost every piece of hardware requires me to install drivers for it to work properly after a clean install.

EDIT: On Windows it is so ridiculous that i have to remember to install my soundcard and video card drivers before i install my tv card drivers.
 
milomak said:
surely those who complain about ndiswrapper should be asking themselves how many device drivers they have had to install to get their devices. In Linux on my box, my webcam is probably the only thing i have to manually install. Everything else is picked up and ready to go. on windows almost every piece of hardware requires me to install drivers for it to work properly after a clean install.

EDIT: On Windows it is so ridiculous that i have to remember to install my soundcard and video card drivers before i install my tv card drivers.
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Actually, on install everything works - EVERYTHING. I prefer to install updated drivers purely because i prefer the drivers from the manufacturer.

I suppose the word war between windows/mac/linux people will never end - everybody things their OS is superior. Quirks that i badmouth about linux is prob. a breeze for you to solve because you get along better with linux as much as i do with Windows!

I think I've had one pc that's given me uphill on a specific Windows OS - and to be honest it was because it was a cr@p unknown manufacturer attempting hardware...! IF you use cheap hardware, you're going to have drama no matter what OS you prefer and the Driver nightmare you describe is likely related to that or something else conflicting because of the new oddity you've installed!
 
And strictly speaking windows supports almost no hardware, the hardware vendors support windows with THEIR drivers. Linux it is the other way around.

Is that putting it into perspective?

Actually, on install everything works - EVERYTHING.
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So you have direct rendering out of the box, 5.1 surround sound and an acceptable refresh rate? Your printers and scanners work with no additional drivers installed? All you USB storage devices just works? I find that very, very hard to believe...
 
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LabAnimal said:
You're talking Craap and you know it! :rolleyes:
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No, he's not...

He's just speaking through the orifice that produces it.. :D

MyWorld said:
So you have direct rendering out of the box, 5.1 surround sound and an acceptable refresh rate? Your printers and scanners work with no additional drivers installed? All you USB storage devices just works? I find that very, very hard to believe...
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/me puts up and says "Actually.."

I have a printer that refuses to install under windows. Got blue screens trying to install it, formatted and tried again, and the whole OS would lock up. Went into Ubuntu, clicked 'Install Printer', clicked the printer name in the list, and viola. All the other things you mentioned worked for me, out of the box.
 
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