Re: Bull*** !

From: Richard Steiner (rsteiner_at_visi.com)
Date: 09/14/04 

Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 23:14:26 -0500

Here in comp.os.linux.development.apps,
Jeff Relf <Usenet_2_@JeffRelf.Cotse.NET> spake unto us, saying:

> And I think the Trackball Explorer
> is the best pointing device ever invented.

Just a passing comment: It might be the greatest device ever invented,
but it really isn't a very useful pointing device if the platform you
want to use it on doesn't have drivers for it.

That's why less capable devices sometimes tend to be more popular in
various computing circles.

> Yet Linux ignores that,
> along with nearly every other device
> sold at places like Office Depot.

There is no monolithic "Linux" organization writing drivers, just many
interested users who have either written their own driver for the stuff
they're using and/or petitioned the makers of the hardware they use to
write one for them.

If the device you want to use doesn't currently work under Linux, then:

  (1) find out if someone else in the Linux community has an interest
      in writing a driver for it (or there's an existing project),

  (2) ask the company who makes it to write a driver, or

  (3) write a driver yourself.

There are no other options, realistically... 

-- 
 -Rich Steiner >>>---> http://www.visi.com/~rsteiner >>>---> Eden Prairie, MN
  OS/2 + eCS + Linux + Win95 + DOS + PC/GEOS + Executor = PC Hobbyist Heaven!
       WARNING: I've seen FIELDATA FORTRAN V and I know how to use it!
                   The Theorem Theorem: If If, Then Then.