Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

To: twntaipan
“downgrading” to XP from Vista will have significant challenges because M$ is/will no longer be developing drivers for new hardware, whereas Linux will.

Well, considering Microsoft does not develop those drivers, I don't think you can expect to see them in the future.

Microsoft publishes guidelines for device driver development and can help you certify your drivers once created. But drivers are the responsibility of the device manufacturer to provide. Just like that Dell CD with all the drivers that took care of the issues the author complained about.

MS provides the OS; the device manufacturers provide the drivers. I don't really see the problem. Most Linux guys decry "OS Bloat" because of extra things in the OS install. Does that include drivers? Apparently not...

37 posted on 07/23/2008 8:03:26 AM PDT by PugetSoundSoldier (Indignation over the sting of truth is the defense of the indefensible)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies ]


To: PugetSoundSoldier
Most Linux guys decry "OS Bloat" because of extra things in the OS install. Does that include drivers? Apparently not...

The current Linux kernel driver directory, with ALL drivers installed, including the restricted, proprietary drivers is 113M. That's about 470 drivers.

The typical Linux driver is between 20K and 200K.

A typical Windows driver is dozens or hundreds of megabytes. THAT's what is decried as bloat.

39 posted on 07/23/2008 8:12:59 AM PDT by Knitebane (Happily Microsoft free since 1999.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson