Intel: Why Open-Source Drivers Work

[tehet]

Intel's Chief Linux and Open-Source Technologist, Dirk Hohndel [...] He also mentioned that a major OEM is requiring that by next year their hardware suppliers must either have an open-source driver available or be able to provide an open-source driver within the next twelve months. The likely company that comes to mind is Dell but Dirk refused to comment any further.
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=850&num=1

http://www.phoronix.net/image.php?id=850&image=intel_oss_11_lrg
:lolflag:

[jc87]

Drivers are like sex, they´re just better when they are free:)

[mostwanted]

Intel's Chief Linux and Open-Source Technologist, Dirk Hohndel [...] He also mentioned that a major OEM is requiring that by next year their hardware suppliers must either have an open-source driver available or be able to provide an open-source driver within the next twelve months. The likely company that comes to mind is Dell but Dirk refused to comment any further.

That is downright amazing! This could very well be the end of proprietary drivers (Linux' main hurdle).

[igknighted]

That is downright amazing! This could very well be the end of proprietary drivers (Linux' main hurdle).

Or the end of Dell... it'll be interesting if hardware vendors fall in line with Dell's wishes, or if they swing their support to PC Manufacturers that will accept proprietary drivers (and hence hanging Dell out to dry). Hopefully the former.

[DoctorMO]

Or the end of Dell... it'll be interesting if hardware vendors fall in line with Dell's wishes, or if they swing their support to PC Manufacturers that will accept proprietary drivers (and hence hanging Dell out to dry). Hopefully the former.

To be honest I think the OEMs have about as much choice as a member of the matrix; they won't loose anything by making their specs available and they already have a legal framework to work with the SFLC and the kernel guys.

Dell may be pushing this, but there could quite equally be pressure coming from Leveno, HP or Apple since anyone who has gotten a clue will know that open source drivers just beat the charlie brown out of their proprietary counterparts.

[p_quarles]

To be honest I think the OEMs have about as much choice as a member of the matrix; they won't loose anything by making their specs available and they already have a legal framework to work with the SFLC and the kernel guys.
+1

Opening hardware specs doesn't reduce the profitability of the hardware, it just makes it available to more people.

And, yes, current oss legal resources would make it just as difficult for competitors to steal features as it is with propriety drivers.

[tehet]

In other news:
http://kerneltrap.org/Linux/Driver_Project_Status_Report

Let's hope this picks up some steam!