If one (or some) of the big linux vendors where setting up an online hardware shop (selling of course hardware with linux support), would that be your first stop when looking for new gear ? or would you still go hunting for lower price/higher features with no guarantee ?

"If one (or some) of the big linux vendors where setting up an online hardware shop (selling of course hardware with linux support), would that be your first stop when looking for new gear ? or would you still go hunting for lower price/higher features with no guarantee ?"

Yes, I would use such a shop. I have had enough experience finding hardware which is supported by Linux that I would not be completely dependent on the shop's guarentee. In other words I would still shop in stores which make no guarentees about Linux support.

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Steve Stites

Yes, I would definitely be willing to pay a little extra for hardware that is guaranteed to work in linux. Countless hours of hacking would be saved there.
For such a store to survive, I guess they would have to focus on the support part, where they provide drivers for all major distributions and feedback to the developers and manufacturers (especially ATI). Also, they should have a store somewhere in the EU too so europeans don't have to pay expensive customs fees.
Oh, and by "pay a little extra" I mean LITTLE. No specialized business to business-type stores where everything is ridiculously expensive (take Dell's or Apple's computer accessory stores as examples - who pays like €200 for a 40 gb harddrive??).

The Devils home yes, I would gladly give my custom to any shop that offered Linux Support Online or Eyeline for that matter :-D

if it was a few more dollars than normal i wouldnt mind. most things work without trouble in linux though. the stuff i added to my comp (externel hd,pcmcia card, printer, usb drive) worked without a problem. i havent been able to figure out how to install my wireless card (although i heard to can be done) and scanner.

Definitely. Nowadays, I always check for Linux compatibility before buying hardware anyway, and I do often end up paying a bit more. I switched over to Linux about 6 months ago, and I have expensive hardwear sitting on my shelf collecting dust that I can't use and manufacturers that can't even be bothered to answer my e-mail enquiries. Such as ADSTech and their USB2 product Instant DVD+DV. 180$ - kerflush. Stay away from ADSTech. They don't give a hoot about the millions (and growing) of open source users. They won't get any more of my money until they change their ways.

Next time I buy a laptop, I am going to research the compatibility thoroughly first. I want to know that the graphics hw works, as well as the firewire port, and so on.

I would also like to see someone set up a website, where you can download config files for different kernels for different laptops, which will build exactly the right kind of kernel for that laptop. Perhaps I might do something like this.

I've written to the mandrakestore, since they have been trying to flesh out some hardware deals in the recent past. They probably have not realised that a lot of people would like a usable webcam, wireless nic and other....

I certainly would as long as it's not too much more expensive. The only problem I can see is if they are definitely all compatible all you have to do is find out where they sell it cheaper. It would certainly save a lot of hassle checking that everything is compatible.

You are probably right but the Applestore coexists with a lot of online and high street resellers. They could circumvent the problem by providing tested instruction on how to do the install, even install scripts...

How about a program that scans all your hardware and asks you a few questions and then sets up a config file. I would definitely be interested in helping out with a project like this. If no-one wants to start it I will probably set up a sourceforge project around June. If anyone is interested you can email me at apb_4 [at] users [dot] sourceforge [dot]net

It's a lot like hwdetect that's used in some live distros no ?

Kind of but it won't compile a kernel for your system. The idea of this would be for kernel optimization so it's pretty much out of the question for live distros

Got you.... Nowadays, everything is pretty much the other way round...

I would certainly use it because at least you'll buy your hardware with the knowledge that its going to work.

I find that the Gentoo hardware detector is quite good. Perhaps something can be built from it. I would be interested. I have two laptops to try it on and can get more through friends. It is especially good to get the right configuration on a laptop.

One needs to take into consideration all the things that the user will want to use with the computer, like PCMCIA cards, and then what kernel to use. It will be a project that needs updating with each kernel release that comes out.

I have Debian Sid with 2.6.8 which doesn't work with the computer's APM. I tried compiling a kernel and got it working, but PCMCIA stopped working. Next time I have that much time, I will try with the Knoppix config file.

Sure, I would be interested in getting involved in a project like this. I will e-mail you.