A creative example of the value of free drivers

Free operating systems differ from the proprietary variety in a number of ways. One of the differences which is most evident to all users is in the provision of device drivers. With free systems, device drivers are free software, provided with the system itself. Proprietary systems tend to provide relatively few drivers; instead, proprietary drivers are shipped with the hardware itself and installed separately. Anybody who wonders about which model works better would be well advised to look at the events of March 28, when Creative Labs shut down an outside developer who had been working to improve Creative's drivers. Click below (subscribers only) for LWN's take on this episode.

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