OLS: The state of Linux wireless networking [LWN.net]

OLS: The state of Linux wireless networking

Posted Aug 1, 2008 12:58 UTC (Fri) by jamesh (guest, #1159)
In reply to: OLS: The state of Linux wireless networking by proski
Parent article: OLS: The state of Linux wireless networking

Of course, for most retailers and customers the two devices are identical: they both let a
Windows box connect to a wireless network.  Giving different model numbers just adds
confusion: how is the G541 better than the G540?

And if I am a retailer, having the vendor change product numbers all the time would be a pain:
how will I get rid of old G540 stock when the G541 is on the shelves too?

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OLS: The state of Linux wireless networking

Posted Aug 2, 2008 5:20 UTC (Sat) by proski (subscriber, #104) [Link]

Customers will install different drivers, even if they don't see the difference. However, it's likely that the drivers will have different bugs.

One device is not necessarily better of worse for a particular purpose. For instance, support for 802.11a is irrelevant if no 802.11a APs are used. However, some customers (and more importantly, reviewers) may discover that a particular device is better at a particular task.

You are right, retailers may not like it. That's why so many manufacturers are doing it. That's why asking nicely is not sufficient.

The issue is orthogonal to Linux, by the way. Even if all users are going to use Windows and the vendor drivers, they are still entitled to be informed of essential changes in the product they are buying.

OLS: The state of Linux wireless networking

Posted Aug 4, 2008 13:10 UTC (Mon) by proski (subscriber, #104) [Link]

P.S. We don't see motherboards switching from Intel to VIA chipset without changing the model number. We don't see desktop systems switching from Intel to AMD, but keeping the model number. We don't see video cards using ATI chipset in rev1 and nVidia chipset in rev2. Retailers and end users can deal with it somehow.

It is pretty much expected that changing the main chip would make it a different model. Wireless OEMs are misusing our trust. They should not be allowed to get away with it.