Hacks 92-100

We're always told Linux can't be a viable desktop operating system unless it has certain pieces of software, but mentioned less frequently is that Linux won't be adopted on the desktop unless it can use a broad range of hardware. A high-end sound or video card isn't of any use if you don't have the drivers to run it. Hardware vendors seldom write drivers for Linuxthey prefer to spend their time writing drivers for Windows, because that is what runs on 95% of all computers sold.

This means Linux hackers have to pick up the slack and write drivers for various pieces of hardware. As a result, it can be weeks or months before certain pieces of hardware are well supported under Linux. Even when drivers are available, they might not be integrated into the distributions, because they are too new, they are unstable, or they were written by a hardware vendor under a license which prevents the driver from being distributed with a free Linux distribution.

This chapter has a broad range of hacks that show you how to use various pieces of hardware under Linux. It starts with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, moves on to optimal monitor setups and a clever method of using Windows to print to a printer that doesn't have a Linux driver, then covers power management on a laptop, and finishes up with a couple of hacks on using portable music players under Linux.