Intel Linux Driver Version 1.0 For Centrino WLAN 30
Werner Heuser writes "Intel has just released Linux driver version
1.0.0 for the Centrino PRO/Wireless 2100 chipset. Almost two years, since
the first Centrino generation with Pentium-M Banias has reached the market,
a stable issue of a native Open Source driver has become available. The
Wireless LAN driver
for the current Centrino generation with Pentium-M Dothan
and PRO/Wireless 2200BG chipset is still at version 0.13. This driver
is intented to support also the third generation of the Intel miniPCI WLAN
adapter named PRO/Wireless 2915ABG. Though Intel
intended these projects to be community efforts, there are some
possible working constraints. Mainly, no hardware documentation is
available."
Re:Excellent job (Score:4, Insightful)
Sorry, but Intel Sucks (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Hardly Free (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Sorry, but Intel Sucks (Score:2, Insightful)
Different CPU's are made for different things and blanket statements are almost always wrong in regards to CPU's
Re:Hardly Free (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Excellent job (Score:3, Insightful)
Well in the updates to the interview [linuxquestions.org] that was previously mentioned here [slashdot.org] they do state that it's to do with the IP involved.
Plus the real issue probably isn't with the driver developers, probably more to do with management or even with IP lawyers.
Also it matters very little as to whether the trade secrets really need to be kept secret. I suspect that someone in their legal (or financial) department is saying that stuff "like opcodes and register addresses" are things that they can't release for free - even though that's information that they do own. And, sadly, they're the ones whose decisions tend to stick.
Yes, it sucks. But unfortunately big businesses still like to play the "Intellectual Property" game. Until that changes (Soon, please God, soon) then we're stuck with things happening this way.