Idea/Suggestion: Ubuntu Certified Hardware

[lhtown]

Why can't the Ubuntu foundation as part of each new release publish a list of Ubuntu Certified Hardware? That is to say, a short list of hardware combinations that have been tested with Ubuntu and are guaranteed to work with a specific distribution such as Hoary or Breezy. We could include perhaps a single desktop, workstation, server, laptop from each major category of those devices. Keeping the list shorter leads to less confusion, but it should include enough systems and options to meet the need of most users.

The Ubuntu Certified Hardware should be available by buying the various components from major manufacturers and should include every system component down to the mouse and keyboard. Of course, only hardware that is from quality manufacturers should be recommended.

In turn, Canonical and other companies could offer complete system service (like Apple does for both its hardware and software) and individual vendors could sell computers that comply with the certifications as Ubuntu Certified. Those of us who like being our own support department could buy the individual components and assemble our own systems.

This would greatly ease the pain for those who know they want to get into Linux but are unsure of what hardware to get. In fact, it could ease the pain for any of us looking to buy a new system as long as we didn't need any crazy hardware or setups. We could buy a system in complete confidence that it will be 100% supported out of the box and be rock-solid stable.

[starke1120]

Being a new user, I love this idea.. Im currently looking for a list of hardware.. I know this thread is a bit old, but does anybody know where I can find this?

[jdong]

I think that's a great idea, too! It sure would take a lot of guesswork out of computer buying. Even as an experienced computer user / Linux user, it still takes me at least a 15 minute examination of a PC in a store in order to evaluate Linux compatibility... and when you can't get your hands on the system (i.e. online buying), it's just a risky investment.

[aysiu]

Are we talking about a more comprehensive, better-looking, and up-to-date version of this?
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport

[DoctorMO]

This is one of the problems I hope to solve, but it won't come with ubuntu/Canonical certification (since that normaly implies that the hardware company pay money to conical for the hardware support) but it would be an information bank which allows you to search for compatable hardware. see instantly how compatable the hardware you already have is (by simply plugging it in) and report compatability or problems back to the server.

Canonical shouldn't build computers, IBM has even stoped selling computers, theres no money in it any more, only apple manages to sell over priced hardware and make large profits.

[lhtown]

This actually seems like a decent opportunity for some budding entrepreneur/webmaster. Why doesn't someone build a couple of systems using high-quality parts, test it, post the results on a website with a complete commentary and allow for others who have built it to comment and provide links to vendors that sell the parts and possibly even barebones systems that have the same setup.

Only systems that have 100% compatibility out of the box or that at least can be easily setup should be listed. Also, I can't see a need to have dozens of systems listed although a few different options could be mentioned such as a different video card or sound card or whatever. After all, even Apple only provides a handful of systems, but they do try to provide something workable for every segment of their market.

One thing to watch would be that some vendors make changes in their hardware or firmware without even changing the model number or anything that would indicate that there has been a change.

Oh, and please, oh please, use high quality parts! I really don't much care how fast my computer is. I just want it to be stable and reliable. Also, using flaky parts that could cause stability issues, would give Ubuntu a bad name even though the problem is the manufacturer.

[richbarna]

Are we talking about a more comprehensive, better-looking, and up-to-date version of this?
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport

That's exactly what they mean. I think we have actually discussed this in previous post aysiu?

I am still trying to find time to add more hardware to the list on my blog, but free time is running thin. In fact some of the hardware on the list comes from you on a previous thread I believe.

The Hardware support on the wiki is mainly for Breezy, but I suppose it is all still compatible.

Here is the list that I have started, and will hopefully get back to now that I have had a reminder:-

http://ubuntuos.wordpress.com/2006/06/

[lhtown]

Actually, I don't mean to downplay the importance of a better-looking and more comprehensive and authoritative hardware list (that would be awesome too), but what I am talking about is a short list of complete, quality systems that have been well-tested.

This would be very useful, say when my current system bites the dust and I want to buy a new system and put it together myself.

Instead of pouring over lists of hardware that are miles long, I could just pick one of a handful of systems that has been tried and proven to work with simple and clear directions on how to obtain and assemble the parts. With only a few minutes of work, I could then have a new system from either a barebones kit or individual components and be sure that it would work, that everything would fit in the case, that it would be compatible with Dapper, that it would be stable, not too noisy, etc. etc.

[richbarna]

Actually, I don't mean to downplay the importance of a better-looking and more comprehensive and authoritative hardware list (that would be awesome too), but what I am talking about is a short list of complete, quality systems that have been well-tested.

This would be very useful, say when my current system bites the dust and I want to buy a new system and put it together myself.

Instead of pouring over lists of hardware that are miles long, I could just pick one of a handful of systems that has been tried and proven to work with simple and clear directions on how to obtain and assemble the parts. With only a few minutes of work, I could then have a new system from either a barebones kit or individual components and be sure that it would work, that everything would fit in the case, that it would be compatible with Dapper, that it would be stable, not too noisy, etc. etc.

So copy the systems that come with linux preinstalled :-
http://www.system76.com/

There Hardware :-
http://knowledge76.com/index.php/Category:Hardware_Components

[lhtown]

So copy the systems that come with linux preinstalled :-
http://www.system76.com/

There Hardware :-
http://knowledge76.com/index.php/Category:Hardware_Components

Thanks for the links. I hadn't heard about this company. Maybe I will buy my next system from them. It is indeed a step closer to what I was looking for.

It seems that it would be a fairly simple thing for an experienced user to take system76's hardware lists and the Ubuntu lists and come up with a streamlined way for a user to build their own system.

One thing that puzzles me a bit. System 76 appears to be a new website, but they list several discontinued models. Do they have a high rate of model churn or have they been around for several years?

[BuffaloX]

The idea is good, but I don't rememmber having seen such a list ever, that was actually worth using.
If you want to buy new hardware, that kind of list is alway outdated.
If you have the hardware already, it's kind of irrelevant.

It would be much better to check out fora, and see what kind of experience customers has with their hardware. Find and read reviews about the it.
Unfortunately there aren't many reviews yet for Linux, but I guess that will change soon.

[jdong]

In an idea world, Canonical would run hardware certification programs, like Windows Logo testing, such that manufacturers submit systems to Canonical for testing, and if the system is deemed compatible with Ubuntu, it'd receive a "Designed for Ubuntu" logo certification.

However, I really doubt that manufacturers would submit their systems en masse for Ubuntu certification any time soon :)


System76 looks pretty good. The prices they ask for are all quite reasonable, some even slightly better than I could do. I don't know how their customer service/reliability is, but then again, where do you go nowadays for a reliable computer anyway?

[lhtown]

Thanks to everyone for their participation in this thread.

My desktop computer just died (a Gateway Profile 4) after three years of mostly-faithful service. I debated as to whether or not to buy the parts and put my own system together or to buy a system76 system as was mentioned in this thread. Since I am currently at my parents, shopping for parts over their uber-slow dial-up connection was an excerise in futility and frustration. After playing around a bit and investigating some, I decided to try a system76 computer.

I found just what I was looking for, and it even comes with Ubuntu pre-installed saving me 30 minutes of back-breaking work. It looks like it will be delivered in about two to three weeks.

Thanks again to everyone for your help. In my case, I didn't find quite what I was looking for (a list of parts for building a computer), but it appears that I found exactly what I needed (a system designed with Linux and stability in mind). My only complaint about ordering from system76 is that, personally, I would have liked to see more details about the individual components that go into the systems. Otherwise, the ordering experience was relatively easy and straitforward in the spirit of Ubuntu.

[dvarsam]

Nice Thread & lot of stuff to talk about...!!!


Here is the list that I have started...:

http://ubuntuos.wordpress.com/2006/06/


Dear "richbarna",

the above site you have created is good.

However, what I would really need is a Site with an Ubuntu Database created from Ubuntu users with their Hardware installed (following info):

01. Mother Board
02. External Hard Drive
03. Processor
04. Graphics Card
05. Scanner
06. Printer
07. Router
08. Sound Card
09. Wireless
10. Web Cameras
11. TV-Tuner Cards
12. etc, etc

Even though, you have created a list, with what you have personally managed to put to work with your Ubuntu & what you have not...

...what is actually missing is feedback from hundreds of other Ubuntu users, with what they have managed to put to work with their Ubuntu's & what not!!!

What we NEED is a Database, from ALL Ubuntu User's Hardware, so that we might be able to find out what can work with our Ubuntu & what will not!!!

I want to be able to know, from beforehand, what Hardware is supposed to work fine with my Ubuntu, & then go ahead to purchase it...

Especially when it comes with TV-Tuner Cards, Web Cameras, Scanners, Printers, LAN, Wireless Devices, etc...

And that Database must be filled/created from each individual Ubuntu user that wants to share his Hardware specs with the rest Ubuntu users.

I also want to be able to see pics of the Hardware being used, perform a search for a specific hardware I am thinking to buy, etc, etc...

Why?

Because, if I visit Ubuntu Hardware Support: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupportComponentsMultimediaWebCameras

I will find 6 different Logitech Webcams named:

1. Logitech QuickCam Express
2. Logitech QuickCam Express
3. Logitech QuickCam Express
4. Logitech QuickCam Messenger
5. Logitech QuickCam Express LOG0431
6. Logitech WebCam Mini/Plus PD0040

Can you tell me the difference between 1, 2, 3 & 5, cause I have no clue at all!!!

At the same time, in my Country, I have the following Logitech WebCams selling on Computer Stores - http://www.plaisio.gr/IWCatSectionView.process?IWAction=Load&Section_Id=31&Nav_Section_Id=&Catalog_Id=1&Merchant_Id=&pcount=0&sts_cid=&Sort=Mfr_Name&mfrFilter=Logitech&showThumbs=t:

01. Logitech Communicate STX
02. Logitech QuickCam Chat
03. Logitech QuickCam Chat for Skype
04. Logitech QuickCam Connect
05. Logitech QuickCam Express (I wonder in which above # it corresponds)
06. Logitech QuickCam Fusion
07. Logitech QuickCam Messenger Plus
08. Logitech QuickCam Notebooks
09. Logitech QuickCam Notebooks Deluxe
10. Logitech QuickCam Sphere

Which should I buy/go for?

Cause I can not Corellate the above products being sold in Computer Stores, to the ones described inside the Ubuntu's Hardware Support list...

Nobody can provide me with Feedback, which Product will actually work...
Can anybody. truly?

The Ubuntu's Hardware Support list is totally outdated, man!!!

I already own 2 webcams that do not work with Ubuntu...
I do not want to buy a third unless I know it will work with Ubuntu with 100% certainty!!!
Who is going to assure me that the new Webcam I am about to buy will definately work with my Ubuntu OS?

If the Ubuntu Hardware Support list, included pictures for the products they were enlisting, at least, I would feel more confident about which specific Logitech WebCam model I should go ahead & buy...

Since there are no pictures provided under the Ubuntu Hardware Support list, I am not sure about which product they are talking about, and I can never be sure whether that specific product is still selling out in the market (to go ahead & buy it)...

Most of the Webcams selling in the Computer Stores are not even listed/mentioned in the Ubuntu's Hardware Support page!!!

The only way to have a true Hardware Support page, is if we could let the users state what they have personally tested & what have actually worked & what not...

Thanks

P.S.> If you could adjust your page, and convert it to a database where every Ubuntu user can come in & state his hardware specs (with pics) & whether he found trouble in putting them to work, you will definately provide the Ubuntu OS, with a big boost!!!

[SoundMachine]

Why can't the Ubuntu foundation as part of each new release publish a list of Ubuntu Certified Hardware? That is to say, a short list of hardware combinations that have been tested with Ubuntu and are guaranteed to work with a specific distribution such as Hoary or Breezy. We could include perhaps a single desktop, workstation, server, laptop from each major category of those devices. Keeping the list shorter leads to less confusion, but it should include enough systems and options to meet the need of most users.

The Ubuntu Certified Hardware should be available by buying the various components from major manufacturers and should include every system component down to the mouse and keyboard. Of course, only hardware that is from quality manufacturers should be recommended.

In turn, Canonical and other companies could offer complete system service (like Apple does for both its hardware and software) and individual vendors could sell computers that comply with the certifications as Ubuntu Certified. Those of us who like being our own support department could buy the individual components and assemble our own systems.

This would greatly ease the pain for those who know they want to get into Linux but are unsure of what hardware to get. In fact, it could ease the pain for any of us looking to buy a new system as long as we didn't need any crazy hardware or setups. We could buy a system in complete confidence that it will be 100% supported out of the box and be rock-solid stable.

Why not a "Linux 2.15" certified instead? The drivers are in the kernel and this way all of the linux community could be involved, Ubuntu is like 0.1% if even that of the linux community.

[dvarsam]

Why not a "Linux 2.15" certified instead?...

Who is going to pay for the "Cost Involved" for Certification?

Do you think Ubuntu has the money for it?

The only thing, in my opinion, we can do is create a Database with our experiences with Hardware we have used, including pics & descriptions on how to put the Hardware to work...

Please read my previous post inside this Thread.

Thanks.

[ago]

I submitted a proposal on this subject a few days ago

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SupportedHardwareListProposal

[maniacmusician]

^Yes, this is an excellent endeavor. especially in combination with the program that Martin (DoctorMO) is developing. It's just what you guys are looking for.

[SoundMachine]

Who is going to pay for the "Cost Involved" for Certification?

Do you think Ubuntu has the money for it?

The only thing, in my opinion, we can do is create a Database with our experiences with Hardware we have used, including pics & descriptions on how to put the Hardware to work...

Please read my previous post inside this Thread.

Thanks.

You think RedHat, Novell and Canonical couldn't pay up for it if they wanted to?

But they don't have to, you see, HW companies give their HW away for free for testing to thousands of people each time they put something new out there, this would be no differnt.

As for who pays the testers, well, this is FLOSS after all and finding people who'd do it for free with a good background would take about a week.

That is the point i am making, Ubuntu is such a small community and the margin for error on a user database (which common user knows the difference between chip revisions on d-link wireless nics?) would make it fairly useless, so would users who cannot get their hardware to work even though it's as simple as setting it to either DHCP or static.

[dvarsam]

You think RedHat, Novell and Canonical couldn't pay up for it if they wanted to?

But they don't have to, you see, HW companies give their HW away for free for testing to thousands of people each time they put something new out there, this would be no differnt.

As for who pays the testers, well, this is FLOSS after all and finding people who'd do it for free with a good background would take about a week.

That is the point i am making, Ubuntu is such a small community and the margin for error on a user database (which common user knows the difference between chip revisions on d-link wireless nics?) would make it fairly useless, so would users who cannot get their hardware to work even though it's as simple as setting it to either DHCP or static.

Sure, I understand your point...

But, at the same time, when I can perform a "search" on the Database for a Specific product, I will definately find 2 cases:

1. Some people blaming the product for not working
2. Some people saying that the product is working fine

I would definately want to read more on those successfull stories & how these users managed to put that specific Hardware to work on their Ubuntu!!!

Of course, some Moderators will be needed to maintain the Database...

At the same time, a percentage success rate, for each Hardware involved, could be enlisted, so that:

1. If I buy the "Logitech QuickCam" model, I have 70% chance to put it to work, but

2. If I buy the "Creative WebCam" model, I have a 20% chance to put it to work...

What do you think now?


Thanks

P.S.1> It is much better than having outdated pages or nothing at all!!!

P.S.2> Besides, such a Database would help me at least choose a WebCam to buy!!!
Now, I am not buying, because I do not really know which model will definately work with my Ubuntu...
This is a huge setback for me, dude!!!

[DoctorMO]

The problem of identification is solved where you already have the hardware. my program can pick out ide, pci, usb and firewire devices and tell you what they are. if you know more information you add to what is already there.

Only this way can we have a clean, up to date database.

Anyone who wants to look up an idem they wish to buy would see how many people have tried this product and what rating they game it for compatability and any comments.

This would be handeled with in the application not on a website, because convincing people to go to a website and input information that they can't see effect their computer is very dificult (humans are so lazy). getting users to improve their own system with information about hardware they already have plugged in almost feels like changing your desktop background (fun with a hint of pride).

The website side would have an administration so the bulk of information can be looked over, this doesn't include ratings and user comments but does include the main information about each piece of hardware. but hopfully the software can be developed to make this as painless as possible.

development continues...

[dvarsam]

The problem of identification is solved where you already have the hardware.
My program can pick out ide, pci, usb and firewire devices and tell you what they are.
If you know more information you add to what is already there.

When I am buying a product, I can definately identify what I have bought!!!

And if Ubuntu can also identify what I have purchased, it is also good...

But the whole idea, is whether you can successfully manage to make your product really work with your Ubuntu & not just being "identified"...



Only this way can we have a clean, up to date database.

Anyone who wants to look up an idem they wish to buy would see how many people have tried this product and what rating they game it for compatability and any comments.

Sure!
But from an Internet Database!
I want to be able to know, from before I purchase, that the product will work with Ubuntu...
If I purchase & it is not identified, then it is too late...
Some computer shops do not accept your returning the product...
Cause they will claim that the product is working fine in Windows & it is not defective, so that it to be returned...

This would be handeled with in the application not on a website, because convincing people to go to a website and input information that they can't see effect their computer is very dificult (humans are so lazy). getting users to improve their own system with information about hardware they already have plugged in almost feels like changing your desktop background (fun with a hint of pride).

This is impossible...
This is too good to be true...
This sounds like a "fairy tale" man...

An application that can "detect" every hardware being plugged & at the same time inform you whether that product can work (or not) with your Ubuntu & in its enclosed Database, include/enlist all/every products out there in the market...

As said, this is too good to be true, man!!!


The website side would have an administration so the bulk of information can be looked over, this doesn't include ratings and user comments but does include the main information about each piece of hardware. but hopfully the software can be developed to make this as painless as possible.

Sure, an Administrator would be needed, in an Internet User created Database...

And if this Ubuntu Forum gets 2900 visits/hits per day, I bet that at least 10% of the people visiting would be willing to provide/share their Hardware specs with the rest of the Ubuntu community...

At least we are going to have a larger Hardware database, compared to the one offered by the Ubuntu Hardware Specification list...

Thanks.

[DoctorMO]

When I am buying a product, I can definately identify what I have bought!!!

And if Ubuntu can also identify what I have purchased, it is also good...

But the whole idea, is whether you can successfully manage to make your product really work with your Ubuntu & not just being "identified"...


What is the first step to getting something to work that doesn't work? you need to know what it is, not only that but the computer needs to know what it is and you need to agree upon this. unsupported hardware requires developers, there is very little we can do about that. but what we can do is let you know if and how your hardware is supported.

[
Sure!
But from an Internet Database!
I want to be able to know, from before I purchase, that the product will work with Ubuntu...
If I purchase & it is not identified, then it is too late...
Some computer shops do not accept your returning the product...
Cause they will claim that the product is working fine in Windows & it is not defective, so that it to be returned...

Ofcouse from an internet database, did you think we'd use magic?

As for the returns, Goods of Sales Act 1984 ammended in 2001 (UK) you should be allowed to return a product with in reasonable time to exchange or refund where the good is inapropriate. reasonable time is normaly 7 to 14 days. so anyone who denies you this right should be held accountable by law.

This is impossible...
This is too good to be true...
This sounds like a "fairy tale" man...

If you want faeries, then read Bonita Sara, I recomend tale 22-24 which is a nice tale involving sirens cove and some musical maremaids (and very large trees with egals).

An application that can "detect" every hardware being plugged & at the same time inform you whether that product can work (or not) with your Ubuntu & in its enclosed Database, include/enlist all/every products out there in the market...

As said, this is too good to be true, man!!!

You are correct, because right now it only detects 4 pices of hardware, a LaCie firewire DVD burner, a pentium 3 motherboard and a standard pc floppy drive. but then the software isn't finished yet.

But any hardware that exists for a linux user who wishes to add information about the hardware he has should be allowed to in a way wich 1) is extreamly easy, 2) benifts everyone else. so very popular hardware will have good defintions, comments, an image, and lots of user ratings. a pice of hardware that only you and some guy in france own isn't going to feature a great deal unless one of you adds the information.

Sure, an Administrator would be needed, in an Internet User created Database...

And if this Ubuntu Forum gets 2900 visits/hits per day, I bet that at least 10% of the people visiting would be willing to provide/share their Hardware specs with the rest of the Ubuntu community...

At least we are going to have a larger Hardware database, compared to the one offered by the Ubuntu Hardware Specification list...

Thanks.

We'd need more than one, but that depends on the quality of the information. we may find that the structure of the information is good (The app includes advanced data defintion pathfinding, which will improve quality) so we need less of a filter and more of an overseer.

It would be nice to get offical support, but like all things in Linux you have to prove your program works first.

[maniacmusician]

it's great to see that you're enthusiastic about this project, but you must realize, it will take a while to build up the database to the extent where people will be able to find most hardware. For it to be listed in the database, more and more people have to download and run the program.

The massive advantage to a program of this magnitude is that it can run now, and it will be able to run 10 years later, and it has the potential to run on any distro. It'll be of huge magnitude because you'll be able to sort results by distro, or even a distro version. so say a few ubuntu releases away, if someone wanted to find out if their hardware would work in dapper, they would still be able to check.

I hope your project succeeds, martin. it seems to be one of the more important ones around...

[DoctorMO]

Oh yes, things take a while to build up, wikipedia wasn't filled in a day ect ect. (although I hope for less popularity and more security because of vandalism)

It's not important as such, most developers don't see value in it. it's not a developers tool (yet) it's definitly one for the user to take more control and understand his computer more. it's also a neat way to show case linux hardware support showing all the devices in a fancy list each with it's own icon that looks like the physical hardware.

maniacmusician can I ask you to test it now and then?

[SoundMachine]

Sure, I understand your point...

But, at the same time, when I can perform a "search" on the Database for a Specific product, I will definately find 2 cases:

1. Some people blaming the product for not working
2. Some people saying that the product is working fine

I would definately want to read more on those successfull stories & how these users managed to put that specific Hardware to work on their Ubuntu!!!

Of course, some Moderators will be needed to maintain the Database...

At the same time, a percentage success rate, for each Hardware involved, could be enlisted, so that:

1. If I buy the "Logitech QuickCam" model, I have 70% chance to put it to work, but

2. If I buy the "Creative WebCam" model, I have a 20% chance to put it to work...

What do you think now?


Thanks

P.S.1> It is much better than having outdated pages or nothing at all!!!

P.S.2> Besides, such a Database would help me at least choose a WebCam to buy!!!
Now, I am not buying, because I do not really know which model will definately work with my Ubuntu...
This is a huge setback for me, dude!!!


It either works or it doesn't work, who in the hell wants something that MIGHT work?

Hey, i'm not here to restrict ANYONE, if you want it and want to create it, more power to you, i'm just saying that this is a project the linux community (and the corporations behind it) should unite on. :)

[maniacmusician]

Oh yes, things take a while to build up, wikipedia wasn't filled in a day ect ect. (although I hope for less popularity and more security because of vandalism)

It's not important as such, most developers don't see value in it. it's not a developers tool (yet) it's definitly one for the user to take more control and understand his computer more. it's also a neat way to show case linux hardware support showing all the devices in a fancy list each with it's own icon that looks like the physical hardware.

maniacmusician can I ask you to test it now and then?
yes, I would most definitely test it out for you. i'll pm you with my email address so you can send stuff more easily.

this may not be important as a developer's tool, but it is possibly the most important thing for a user. hardware compatibility is a total b*tch for most people, and to be able to browse a database of hardware known to work would be a godsend.

[SoundMachine]

The problem of identification is solved where you already have the hardware. my program can pick out ide, pci, usb and firewire devices and tell you what they are. if you know more information you add to what is already there.

It would be better to know which utilities it calls and which paths it processes.

Firmware revision and chip revision would be a good thing to include for starters and so would SCSI and SCSI generic devices. the problem with lspci which i assume you are using is that not all cards tell it what they really are named, on the box name and lspci name are horrible incompatible most of the time.

[maniacmusician]

Yes, but after the program scans your computer, it could prompt you about your devices, saying "Is this the sound device that you have?" etc. and people could say yes or no. if no, then they could input the name of their audio device.

[SoundMachine]

Yes, but after the program scans your computer, it could prompt you about your devices, saying "Is this the sound device that you have?" etc. and people could say yes or no. if no, then they could input the name of their audio device.

Most people would just look at the box and the program would find no matches at all.

That is the problem with that approach, now a Linux committee (probably horrible spelling) that would get cards sent to them could make a list of everything compatible with every name and every distro using the same kernel could use that.

I think a more professional approach would be better here but as i said, i'm not here to put anyone down. :)

[DoctorMO]

The reason lspci is as you say, incorrect most of the time is because the pcicard only comes back with two effective numbers. a manufacturer id such as 0x8086 (Intel) and a model id such as 0x1DE4. what lspci does is convert these into a named strings using it's own internal database. Fiewire and usb are better because they have these strings on the devices, although sometimes you wonder why they bothered.

Firmware revision and chip revision would be a good thing to include for starters and so would SCSI and SCSI generic devices. the problem with lspci which i assume you are using is that not all cards tell it what they really are named, on the box name and lspci name are horrible incompatible most of the time.

If that is what you find important to have for certain kinds of hardware then I'm sure the evolution of the data type pathfinder would reflect that. although version numbers for firmware gets tricky.

Most people would just look at the box and the program would find no matches at all.

That is the problem with that approach, now a Linux committee (probably horrible spelling) that would get cards sent to them could make a list of everything compatible with every name and every distro using the same kernel could use that.

The idea is that the models which a user has to select from (oh I havn't mementioned this part, a user can select the model of hardware where more than one kind exist for the same ids) are in human readable form and reflect what is written on the packaging and the hardware it's self rather than what is written inside it.

[jdong]

When I am buying a product, I can definately identify what I have bought!!!


Actually, I'd like to challenge you on that statement. For our robotics team, I have purchased 3 Linksys 802.11G PCMCIA cards that were at the same store, on the same shelf, with the exact same model number and graphics on the box -- right next to each other in fact. Taking it back home and trying to set it up, I noticed that two of them were the Linux-compatible chipsets I was expecting, while a third had a completely different, unsupported chipset with a driver CD that had a different Windows driver on it.

[DoctorMO]

jdong yes I have that in reverse, my scanner uses exactly the same usb id for 12 different scanners. most of which use the same firmware and work the same way. mine doesn't use the standard firmware and works a little differently.

The fact that sane can't tell which one I have is a constant niggle.

[mabhatter]

Why can't the Ubuntu foundation as part of each new release publish a list of Ubuntu Certified Hardware? That is to say, a short list of hardware combinations that have been tested with Ubuntu and are guaranteed to work with a specific distribution such as Hoary or Breezy. We could include perhaps a single desktop, workstation, server, laptop from each major category of those devices. Keeping the list shorter leads to less confusion, but it should include enough systems and options to meet the need of most users.

I'd settle for a Tux or Ubuntu logo sticker on the box... just like the OSX or Windows Logo, so we can identify products that work at the store.

[kencoe]

I believe, if I am correct, that you will find this program is already in action. The Ubuntu Certification section of Ubuntu.com lists a program for Certified Hardware. It even promises preferential listings in the HCL for Certified products.

[maniacmusician]

I believe, if I am correct, that you will find this program is already in action. The Ubuntu Certification section of Ubuntu.com lists a program for Certified Hardware. It even promises preferential listings in the HCL for Certified products.
is there a webpage or wiki at which this is taking place? i'd love to take a look

[kencoe]

is there a webpage or wiki at which this is taking place? i'd love to take a look

Promo Page is on the ubuntu.com site

http://www.ubuntu.com/partners/certification

It is pretty much self-explanatory.

My appologies for not posting the link in the first comment. Would have made sense...

[Adamant1988]

I like how Linspire handles this... they have a web page with hardware that is known to work and a option that points to the webpage where you can purchase it.

[richbarna]

Hmmm. I have had second thoughts about what seemed like a good idea.
An official database is what's needed, created with money and freetime. I think I will remove the page from my blog, as I have none of the above.

Also, I have found other distros where my hardware just worked but didn't on Ubuntu.

Maybe people could just try different distros and find one that works on their hardware.

As they say: "If the mountain won't come to Muhummad.........."

[DoctorMO]

try to get a hill?

[dvarsam]

I'd like to challenge you on that statement.

I have purchased 3 Linksys 802.11G PCMCIA cards that were at the same store, on the same shelf, with the exact same model number and graphics on the box -- right next to each other in fact.

...I noticed that two of them were the Linux-compatible chipsets I was expecting, while a third had a completely different, unsupported chipset with a driver CD that had a different Windows driver on it.

Dear "jdong",

Thanks for your reply!

I totally understand what you have experienced...

However, a Hardware Database created from Ubuntu Users, could help prevent future buyers, from such "bad" scenario you have personally experienced...

Inside your personal Hardware Database, where you would share with the Rest of the Ubuntu users all your Hardware specs, you could state under the comments section of your "Linksys 802.11G PCMCIA cards" that there is such a possible scenario...

Sharing your experience could help others choose the right hardware product for their Ubnuntu PC (or even be cautious before buying the same card you had just purchased!).

At the same time, if inside that "Ubuntu Hardware Compatibility Site", I could perform a search for "PCMCIA cards" I could also read into all such cases (enlisted in the Database) & hopefully after reading all the stories, make the correct purchase decision...

At least I will know what is the "best" PCMCIA card, I should purchase for my Ubuntu...

Hopefully, in the end we will all be making the "wisest" choises on what hardware to purchase for our Ubuntu PC's...

Thanks.

[DoctorMO]

dvarsam, to be honest his problem isn't an issue as long as most of the process is automated. if he has to know what chipset is one the hardware then it's all gone wrong.