Mandrake Linux 9.2 and self-destructing CD-ROM drives

Mandrake Linux 9.2 and self-destructing CD-ROM drives

>>And frankly, if I'm an ordinary user and you tell me that with Linux I've got no guarantee
that my distro of choice may well not have been tested with my hardware, and that
furthermore, it's my fault if something blows up because I could have been testing it in
pre-release form, I guarantee you my response is going to be "Well screw that! Windows
ain't that bad."<<

Actually, yes it is. When XP came out there was no guarantee that it would work with
YOUR particular hardware. And if it didn't, who was scrambling to fix it? The hardware
company. If you doubt that, check out this MS document:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330181

Which basically says to treat incompatible hardware the same as damaged hardware;
remove it from your system and then contact the manufacturer. A "Not Our Problem"
response.

If you check this site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/howto/gettingstarted/guide/setupqanda.asp

You will find out about something called the "Hardware Compatibility List" and the
following statement:

"If your hardware isn't on the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), contact the hardware
manufacturer to see if there is a Windows XP driver for it."

Nobody promises their software will work with all hardware.

JC