Linux Kernel Devs Offer Free Driver Development

schwaang writes "Linux Kernel hacker Greg Kroah-Hartman, author of Linux Kernel in a Nutshell has posted an epic announcement on his blog. This could portend increased device compatibility for Linux users, higher-quality drivers, and fewer non-free binary blobs." From the announcement: "[T]he Linux kernel community is offering all companies free Linux driver development... All that is needed is some kind of specification that describes how your device works, or the email address of an engineer that is willing to answer questions every once in a while. If your company is worried about NDA issues surrounding your device's specifications, we have arranged a program... in order to properly assure that all needed NDA requirements are fulfilled. Now your developers will have more time to work on drivers for all of the other operating systems out there, and you can add 'supported on Linux' to your product's marketing material."

Re:Hardware ?

[rbochan]

Well, why not us beta testers?

Ballmer: "We refer to them as customers."

/try the veal

Here's the new sticker for your device!

[Provocateur]

Put it next to the Intel Inside! or Powered by AMD:

'Has been reported to work on Linux!'

Linux a Viable Alternative?

[shani]

if Linux is going to become a viable alternative for the girlfriend

Dude, don't get me wrong, I think Linux is sexy. But not that sexy.

Extortion

[Per Abrahamsen]

> That's called extortion, and it's illegal.

Like that ever stopped Microsoft before.

> I would hope the DoJ steps in at that point.

Like that ever stopped Microsoft before.