Poll: Priorities for Linux and OSS

Here is the promised poll on priorities for Linux (and OpenSource). During the collection of topics, several people have expressed concern that the problem statements be specific and "actionable". Arguably, if we are first just determining priorities, some of that can wait. To start addressing the issue, I have tried to include specific examples in the narrative below. Each of these is an expansion of what appears in the actual poll.

In responding to this, people are encouraged to add (concise) comments that back up their selection and which address the requests for specific and substantive examples and action plans. Note that there are some general actions which cut across most or all of the specific topics. I've started a list at the end.

The candidates are listed in random order:
You may vote for more than one....

More and better drivers
Includes video and printer drivers
Includes fostering better relationship between vendors and OSS community
Includes more consistent printing interface design

More seamless Wireless setup
Includes drivers but also the GUI setup tools


More adherence to standards such as the LSB

More user-friendly setup of bootloaders
Includes a GUI interface to install and configure GRUB

Standardized USB device support

Improved interfaces to configuration files
Includes possible GUI tools
Includes ideas for aggregated config files

Better documentation

Standardized document formats
Includes issues of interoperability with proprietary formats

Graphical disk management
Includes things like RAID setup

Fancier GUIs
Includes things like 3D, eye candy, etc.
(Note: Did not appear in the comments but included because this whole idea started as a reaction to this.)


Generic areas for action:
Work with LUGs and other groups to set up user forums to which vendors are invited.
Volunteer to write or edit documents
Organize letter-writing campaigns to lobby vendors for better Linux support
Participate in specific projects (does not always require programming skills)
Insist on Linux support when buying products
Give seminars at computer clubs and other fora to foster increased awareness of Linux and OSS
Lobby legislatures for increased support of standard formats
Lobby legislatures for actions to curtail monopolies and restraint of trade
Participate in fora such as LQ
Discourage individuals and groups from creating more Linux distros (pet peeve--sorry)

While, in my opinion, Linux has some of the best overall hard ware support I think there is still a great deal of room for improvement. Thats why I voted for better USB and wireless support along with better drivers.

The only method I'm aware of to help this along is community action. Letters and e-mails to companies are always a great place to start if you want companies to support Linux. I'll admit I've never written any letters but I have sent e-mails before and most have even elicited some pretty generous responses.

"Easier setup of boatloaders"

Linux has boats?

Added:
I guess they would be WinJammers, then.

I voted for:
More and Better Drivers
Better Wireless support (although that goes with #1)

Insist on Linux support when buying products - done!
Discourage individuals and groups from creating more Linux distros - Well, no! Otherwise we'd all still be stuck with Red Hat or the everlasting frozen Debian.

That's all really

More bloody drivers.

I'm now stuck with windows because it can't run my printer, scanner, camera, or usb device.

IMO Linux desktop OS sucks just as bad as Windows XP just because it has no driver support.

That's the whole point of a desktop OS. Plug and play. Not plug in and say oh crap no drivers I guess I can't print, upload pictures, or scan anything.

At least in Windows XP drivers and printers just work.

But I want out of windows xp and theres no bloody where to go.

OK--I guess I am allowed to vote in my own thread.

My vote goes to drivers and wireless--simply because that is where I have had the most recent annoyances. Also a vote for ODF

My personal action plan (I'm not plugged in to any developer communities) is finding ways to proselytize vendors and retailers.

PS: "Das boot" in German means the boat---does that get me off the hook for my typo??

My vote goes for

* More and Better Drivers
* Better Wireless support
* Improved interface to config. files

gloomz, too bad your camera doesn't seem to work in Linux. Unless you badly need OCR however, you won't need your scanner -- just use your digicam (anything with 2 Megapixels and more will do) to 'scan' stuff instead.

"PS: "Das boot" in German means the boat---does that get me off the hook for my typo??"

Just playin', pixellany. You've done a fine job on this!

I voted for "Improved interface to config. files" (of course) and "More and Better Drivers".

I just have to say, an improved interface to configuration files is a much more achievable feat than "More and Better Drivers". I think there could be an entirely new poll just on what hardware deserves priority in driver development. Maybe what is needed are utilities to easily develop linux drivers/port Windows drivers to Linux. Then these could be distributed to hardware manufacturers so they could make Linux drivers for their hardware without too much work. Or maybe this is something for a new thread?

"Maybe what is needed are utilities to easily develop linux drivers/port Windows drivers to Linux."

I believe that the problem is mostly that of getting information out of the manufacturer in order to write the driver in the first place. I've been sitting on the linux-ide list for awhile, and these guys know what they're doing. It's not a matter of expertise that holds up drivers.

"Or maybe this is something for a new thread?"

Probably. It's not just a matter of copying Microsoft code into Linux space.

* More and better drivers
* Improved interface to config. files

It's obvious Linux does not support as many hardware as Windows.

Configuring various configuration files in the /etc/ is a pain. You have to open each file and edit line by line.

There needs to be a way to install a Linux desktop and be able to play all the popular media formats right out of the box.

Originally Posted by Xian There needs to be a way to install a Linux desktop and be able to play all the popular media formats right out of the box.

For the exact same reason Linux is still as not popular as Windows for average users, though Windows does not support all media formats out of the box.

There are certain licensing issues for certain media types, like mp3.

Originally Posted by Xian There needs to be a way to install a Linux desktop and be able to play all the popular media formats right out of the box.

It's already been done: Ubuntu + Automatix.