RFC: Free Software Hardware Compatibility - Centralised DB

[Joel Rees]

(Apologies in advance --)

On 2004.6.11, at 06:31 AM, Zenaan Harkness wrote:

> PLEASE NOTE:
>
> * Please do not reply-all

Sorry, when you break the rules, the rules are broken. However,

> ...
> ASSUMPTION:
> ...
> We assume that it is in the best interests of each Free Software
> Unix-like operating system distribution, each kernel (eg. Linux, *BSD,
> HURD) and in the best interests of the end users, to have a 
> centralised/
> unified location for hardware information.
> ...

I'm not sure that centralization is a valid assumption in the open 
source community.

Getting hardware is only half the battle. I think that what the members 
of the open source community would prefer is that individuals and 
companies who have hardware to donate would be aware of (1) what 
projects they want or need to support and (2) where the hardware they 
have to donate can best be used. (It's a free market, we just use a 
different currency, so to speak.)

That said, I suspect that, if a company or individual has hardware to 
donate and is not sure where it should go, a broadcast troll like this 
might actually be appropriate.

(Which is why I'm even further breaking protocol here.)

--
Joel Rees
     Opinions are like armpits.
     We all have two, and they all smell,
     but we really don't want the other guy to get rid of his.