Linux Hardware Quality Labs (was: Linux in a binary world... a doomsday scenario)
- From: Felix Oxley <lkml@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2005 23:53:19 +0000
The topic of binary modules has been raised many times recently (I'm quite new here :-) in respect of the ndiswrapper and 4k stacks, discussion of 3D graphics drivers and most recently Arjan's "Doomsday Scenario" thread. Whilst reading the Doomsday thread it became apparent to me, and to several other people (please see my apology at the end of this mail), that what is required is a Logo program similar to the "Designed for Windows XP" logo.
The primary motivation for this is that it leverages the individual power of each purchaser (of a system or individual piece of hardware) be they a consumer, SME, system builder, tier 1 or 2 PC manufacturer, government dept., or Linux distro company, into a single point of pressure that can be applied to OEMs to ensure that they provide open source drivers.
Unlike previous lists of equipment that works with Linux, this would of course have to be centrally administered.
Simply, hardware manufacturers would be able to use the LHQL logo (whatever it looks like or is called) once their kit had been certified, the primary requirement for which would be either that a fully featured open source driver was available or that all the relevant documentation had been put in to the public domain so that anybody could write one.
Why will this work? Here is how I see it developing in the server market:
1. The logo will be launched along with a campaign to explain to technical users that (a) open source drivers are better quality, (b) that binary drivers threaten the future of the Linux ecosystem.
2. Any company which manufactures equipment with open source drivers already available will have the logo granted for their current equipment.
This means that right from the outset it will be possible to put together a system which is wholly conformant, i.e. the entire PC is eligible to carry the logo.
3. Certain small system builders will get on board.
4. Obviously, everyone on LKML will only buy/recommend hardware which carries "the mark of the penguin". As will geeks the world over.
5. One of the distros will decide that their "Supported Hardware" list will only feature items with the logo.
6. Medium sized system builders, maybe "partners" of the distro will begin to ship systems that fully conform.
7. All the supporters above will be using the the new Open Source Graphics hardware from www.opengraphics.org. (Important later)
8. Corporate or government buyers will by now become aware of the value of buying certified equipment.
Up until this point the OEMs that we wish to influence have not taken much notice.
However, once stage 8 is reached, having the logo will be easily understood to be a competitive advantage.
The inflection point has then been reached. Each of the producer groups i.e. OEMs, PC vendors and distros then increasing use the logo.
Who Pays?
1. _Not_ the OEM. Producing the open source driver is their contribution.
2. PC vendors who build system from multiple conformant parts who then wish to badge the entire system can pay an amount.
3. OSDL or a similar body would (or a wealthy benefactor) would be required to provide initial funding.
Who Certifies?
1. This was discussed in the other threads, the feeling seemed to be that it should be kept close to the LKML/maintainers and should not be controlled by a body which could be subjected to financial pressure.
What is required for Certification? (I am not qualified to answer this question)
1. The driver must be GPLed and fully support the features of the hardware (or match the support given to Windows Server/Client)
2. Any other software quality / security tests that you think is appropriate.
Desktop ====== So far I have been talking only of the server.
My assumptions when discussing the Desktop segment are as follows:
(1) Early comments in the "Doomsday Scenario" thread were indicating that the state of drivers for consumer level machines was fairly poor. But also that despite much hype the Linux Desktop really isn't here yet. The 2 things are obviously somewhat connected, as discussed at the recent OSDL desktop summit.
(2) Also, the major point of pain on the desktop seems to concern the graphics chipsets.
(3) Cutting edge graphics cards in PCs are mainly required for gamers. I read today that the PC games market is going to be dead in 5 years :-).
Since the market for consumer machines has not yet reached a level at which OEMs feel they need to seriously address it, this obviously provides some time for the Logo program to become established and successful in the server market. During this period the level of graphics support available from OEMs other than ATI & NVidia will improve.
For example:
i) the OpenGraphics project will hopefully have flourished, partially due to the Logo program.
ii) A number of smaller graphics OEMs will supply Open Source kit.
iii) Intel will provide fully conformant on-board graphics solutions.
Therefore a consumer wishing to purchase a modern system with a reasonably powerful graphics engine (i.e. more powerful than anything available today) will have several options, even if the tier 1 graphics vendors are not yet providing Open Source drivers.
This will of course place them at a competitive disadvantage that they will wish to avoid. So they apply for the logo. :-)
Thanks for listening. regards, Felix
Apologies
1. Apologies to anybody who thought of this months/years ago.
2. Apologies to everyone in the "Doomsday Scenario" thread who suggested this. I am not crediting you by name simply because I do not want to re-read all 100 entries to find your names.
3. Apologies to Benjamin LaHaise who has already started a thread called "Runs with Linux (TM)" based on his prior independent conclusion that this is the correct course of action.
4. Apologies to everyone I have CC'ed based on the particular input they made on the "Doomsday Scenario" thread.
5. To anybody I upset, I am only posting this because I really do think that it is The Answer (tm) and I want many people to consider it.
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