[ltp] Re: Linux on the T20

[James Hawtin]

> 1. While modem protocols may be publicly defined via standards, some 
> aspects of modem performance are not covered, such as adapting to varied 
> line conditions. Companies such as Lucent, 3Com, and IBM (remember the ol' 
> ACP/Mwave modem?) have spent millions of dollars on field research in 
> order to fine-tune their products to even the most diverse line 
> conditions. These fine-tuning details are a tremendous source of 
> intellectual property among modem vendors since the effects of the 
> fine-tuning can help in product differentiation (e.g. modem A maintains a 
> 47Kbps connection in a location with degraded lines, while modem B can 
> only connect at 33.6Kbps).
> 

Err why does that make a difference? I do not get a choice of which win
modem I can't use built into my laptop! Product differenciation is not
important, in desktops very few people buy win modems cos everyones knows
they suck. Laptops are a captive market. We have to look at the machine as
a package, a win modem in any form makes little difference

> 2. Modem vendors may have licensed intellectual property from other 
> companies and integrated it into their products. The owner of the licensed 
> IP may not permit it to be exposed, since it is a source of revenue for 
> them. This would prevent the modem vendor from open-sourcing any code that 
> would expose the licensed intellectual property.
> 

So choise a different hardware supplier, lucier is aways like this, I
left a company cost lucent bought them, you should see the contract they
wanted me to sign!... Also don't forget "IBM supports linux 100%" Cough
Cough splutter.

James

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