[ltp] [Fwd: [Fwd: A linux driver for IBM TrackPoint devices (GPL)]]

[A Kumar]

Okay I have been sitting here reading this BS from Harald Milz and its
starting to tick me off.  Harald I commend Bill for at least doing something
to help, rather then fill this list with meaningless crap.  I personally
don't need Linux drivers for my 600, but I sympathize with those who do.
If you are looking for a large user base check out RPI, the first university
to require students to buy a laptop, this year we had 1300+ freshman all
buying identically configured 600E's.  Even we can't get IBM to write
drivers for MWAVE, but not because they aren't pushing Linux support across
their hardware lines(BTW: they are!!!!!).  They aren't developing MWAVE
drivers because the technology is almost phased out.  Its old technology and
developing drivers for it would require man power that IBM is hesitant to
place on dead technology.
The only way I can see IBM developing drivers is if enough people want it.
IBM understands that it needs to keep its costumer base happy and when the
MWAVE petition has 20,000 names on it they will listen.  Before we can get
to 20,000 we need to pass 600.

So if you aren't going to be helpful why don't you shut the hell up!!!

And I'm sure the 775 will have a lucent modem and Crystal Semiconductor
sound card.  Like all IBM developed ThinkPad (i.e. not the i series), use
your head stupid!!!!!!

Okay now that I got that out I'll go back to lurking.


-----Original Message-----
From: Harald Milz [mailto:hm@seneca.muc.de]
Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2000 4:09 PM
To: linux-thinkpad@www.bm-soft.com
Subject: Re: [ltp] [Fwd: [Fwd: A linux driver for IBM TrackPoint devices
(GPL)]]


Bill Mair <bill.mair@bm-soft.com> wrote:
> And for what it's worth, after a petition from over 800 individuals, IBM
decided to
> port their complete "VisualAge for Java" to Linux. They realized that
there was a real
> market for this product.

Errr - this was part of the global IBM SWG strategy to release all products
for Linux. IBM PSG is a different story.

> IBM seems to think that there is a potential for Linux on the server
market, but they
> are also now seeming to wake up to the idea that Linux is also a desktop
system.

Yep - as you say a large customer's word and it's going to be done if (!)
IBM Legal hasn't got other plans with MWave.

> No other response. Nothing. Nil. Zip. Zilch.

QED... :-(

> I would ask all of you that have signed the petition to do the same, fill
out the above
> form, and ask for MWave support.
> If IBM gets tons of requests this way, then they may wake up and smell the
roses.

Ummm - I'd say if you can show where the money _actually_ lies IBM will
move. Give them a large business opportunity and off it goes. 600 or 800
Thinkpads (all of which have been sold already, and there are no new models
with MWave!) will hardly move this tanker except maybe if the customer is
Deutsche Bank or SAP.

> Sorry for ranting on, but getting IBM to move on this, is something I
really feel
> strongly about.

The bad news is that MWave is dead from a development standpoint. It will
be very hard to convince somebody that there is actually an opportunity on
new placements. IBM Sales isn't incented on old iron.

Keith, any info on what sound/modem hardware will be in the 775? The thingy
will be presented @ CeBIT anyway so ... :-)

--
Gosh that takes me back... or is it forward?  That's the trouble with
time travel, you never can tell."
		-- Doctor Who "Androids of Tara"

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