Ubuntu Linux: Built-in apps get an "A", wireless support an "F" (CNET)

Ubuntu Linux: Built-in apps get an "A", wireless support an "F" (CNET)

Posted Jan 4, 2008 23:12 UTC (Fri) by proski (subscriber, #104)
In reply to: Ubuntu Linux: Built-in apps get an "A", wireless support an "F" (CNET) by jordanb
Parent article: Ubuntu Linux: Built-in apps get an "A", wireless support an "F" (CNET)

Sometimes such stories are useful. They show how expectations of the new users measure against the reality. Based on their experience with other systems, and perhaps on what they read about Linux and Ubuntu so far, users expect better hardware support, but don't expect good application software included with the distribution.

I think users are correct to expect better hardware support, especially better networking hardware support. Having heard of Linux as a system that excels in server rooms and that powers many embedded devices, it may come as a shock that some cheap wireless card needs Windows drivers to function with Linux. And when it comes to Ubuntu, users are correct to expect automatic installation of the drivers, maybe with a warning about copyright issues.

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