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Old 04-29-2003, 12:35 PM   #1
Crashed_Again
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Let the Hardware Companies Know


More of a discussion then a question so moderators if you feel it should be moved then please do so.

Well I just wrote a nice e-mail to the good people at logitech letting them know that I was not too happy with there product due to the fact that they do not support Linux. I've noticed that many of you feel it is important to let these hardware manufacturers know that you are not happy with their service. I think that the Linux community should really take it upon themselves to get on these companies.

In the movie Shawshank Redemption the main character keeps writing letters once a week for a few years to get some money for the prison library. After hundreds of letters they finally give him the money and ask him to stop sending them letters. I think this is a very effective technique although I am not advocating spamming these people. I mean is it really going to put these companies in bankruptcy if they hire a few people to develop the Linux drivers for there products?

I think its time that we get together and let these people know just where they stand. I've been sending these companies e-mail since I first started using Linux. I've found that the best approach is to simply tell them that you have been a long time user of there products but have recently been purchasing there competitors products because of there lack of support for Linux. They HATE to hear that you are going to there competitors.

Do you think this is a waste of time? Do you think this could be effective? I don't think this task lies on the shoulders of the Distros but rather on the end users.

Thoughts, comments, ....
 
Old 04-29-2003, 12:47 PM   #2
rshaw
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good to hear that i'm not only one bugging the vendors. it's a good thing(tm) to email when they're supporting linux as well.
 
Old 04-29-2003, 03:18 PM   #3
N_A_J_M
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I think it is a great idea , even if in the meantime there aren't a whole lot of competitors to turn to atleast telling them so may start the ball rolling ie: one company builds in support so the rest start to follow.

I just think it cant do any harm to let them know that there is a demand, Im sure from this they can work out for themselves how big it is!
 
Old 04-29-2003, 03:35 PM   #4
wapcaplet
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This should probably apply to other service-oriented companies who do not support Linux. RoadRunner cable internet had promotional material that said "Requires Windows" written all over it (though it works fine in Linux, with no crappy software installation required ) The lady in the office wrote down "LENOX" when I told her which OS I was using. Educating these people to Linux's existence can only be a good thing.

I see quite a bit of hardware which says stuff like "designed for Windows" or (even worse) "requires Windows", when in reality it makes no difference whatsoever. My network hub, for example, said this on the box. It might be good to let these guys know that their product really *doesn't* require Windows, that it works great under Linux too! (that could be a good selling point - some new Linux users might avoid such hardware if they think it's only good under Windows).
 
Old 04-29-2003, 04:32 PM   #5
Nukes
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Yeah they're silly. Even just providing a snippet for XF86Config for a mouse or something would be nice, or an RPM/deb/tarball of any scripts needed.
 
Old 04-29-2003, 08:15 PM   #6
quietguy47
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Don't forget that when they did give him what he wanted, he promised to double his lettering writing efforts.
What probs are you having with Logitech?
 
Old 04-29-2003, 08:37 PM   #7
MasterC
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I personally write every hardware manufacturer that I use to let them know I use Linux with their product and would like to see more support. It really seems futile so far, but it takes me no more than 30 seconds, so it's worth my time

I've sent more than 10 letters to Kenwood requesting ogg support in their car stereo decks with absolutely zero response either way. I would think after 10 letters, not inlcuding the hundreds of emails that got no replies, that I'd at least get a "we aren't currently developing that at this time."

Anyway, I am glad to see others trying as well Gives me hope...

Cool
 
Old 04-29-2003, 08:41 PM   #8
darin3200
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I wrote to palm a while back asking them to get a linux version of palm desktop. Kpilot works but its not the same. Macromedia has caught on though and has linux downloads on their site. Go macro
 
Old 04-30-2003, 07:06 AM   #9
Artimus
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I already called my ISP, Charter and told them that their connection works great with Linux. They basically said that it runs on Windows, but they're more then happy to see it run on something else.

I'm about to start mailing Lexmark weekly about my Z45... Then Windows shall die from my computer forever! MWAHAHAHAHA...
 
Old 04-30-2003, 06:46 PM   #10
Crashed_Again
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Here is the e-mail I got back from logitech:

Dear Customer,


Thank you for using Logitech's Electronic Technical Support.
The following information addresses your question.

I understand your concern.

Logitech cameras and software are not currently supported under Linux or UNIX.

However, Logitech is currently evaluating development of Linux drivers.

Please check our Website periodically for updated information at the
following URL: http://www.logitech.com/


If you have additional questions, please reply to this email.
Thank you for your interest in Logitech.


Regards,
Venkat Kumar
Logitech Customer Support

Hmmm...they are "evaluating development of Linux drivers". What does that mean? Does it mean that the people upstairs are figuring out if they will make a profit off creating Linux drivers? If so then the more demand for the drivers the better it is for us and them. They will have a market for it if we all start writing them.
 
Old 04-30-2003, 08:21 PM   #11
MasterC
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It means,
"Dear Dude,
We are sorry to inform you that we don't know what Linux is, however if you are ballsy enough to come and apply, we'd be happy to give you a job developing linux drivers for our great products."



Cool
 
Old 04-30-2003, 09:23 PM   #12
zLinuxz
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hahahhah, you are so right C!, heheh, they got no clue what's going on.

By the way, Crashed_Again, you are only having problems with their digital camera then?

Cuz all their other products work just fine with Linux...as a matter of fact Logitech is one of the hardware companies who's hardware is about 98% supported in Linux, and it works very well. Mouses, keyboards...you mention it. I didn' tknow your digital Logitech camera didn't with with linux. But then again...Support for any digital camera in Linux is maybe a year old. So. it's kewl.

I'll start sending emails too, hehhe, maybe I'll just make a little automated program to send an email every day, hehe, then I don't have to even spend 30 seconds to send an email, hehe. Cool.

zLinuxz
 
Old 04-30-2003, 09:43 PM   #13
Crashed_Again
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Its actually a logitech webcam that I'm having issues with. It requires a kernel >=2.4.19 . Of course I'm using 2.4.18-something or other. Its just a pain and it gives all those windows users the room to say "Well I just plug it in and it works for me." I feel like an idiot saying I have to build a new kernel to get my webcam to work. It seems a bit tedious.
 
Old 04-30-2003, 09:47 PM   #14
Tinkster
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Quote:
I feel like an idiot saying I have to build a new kernel to get my webcam to work. It seems a bit tedious.
/me hops out of his hiding place and yells:"Only for users of RPM based distros with non-stock kernels!!" :D

/me hides again ...


Cheers,
Tink
 
Old 04-30-2003, 09:51 PM   #15
Crashed_Again
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yeah yeah all hail the Slackware users. You are all knowing and all powerfull.
 
  


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