Free Linux Driver Development!
Yes, that's right, the Linux kernel community is offering all companies
free Linux driver development. No longer do you have to suffer through
all of the different examples in the Linux Device Driver Kit, or pick
through the thousands of example drivers in the Linux kernel source
tree trying to determine which one is the closest to what you need to
do.
All that is needed is some kind of specification that describes how your
device works, or the email address of an engineer that is willing to
answer questions every once in a while. A few sample devices might be
good to have so that debugging doesn't have to be done by email, but if
necessary, that can be done.
In return, you will receive a complete and working Linux driver that is
added to the main Linux kernel source tree. The driver will be written
by some of the members of the Linux kernel developer community (over
1500 strong and growing). This driver will then be automatically
included in all Linux distributions, including the "enterprise" ones.
It will be automatically kept up to date and working through all Linux
kernel API changes. This driver will work with all[1] of the different
CPU types supported by Linux, the largest number of CPU types supported
by any operating system ever before in the history of computing.
As for support, the driver will be supported through email by the
original developers, when they can help out, and by the "enterprise"
Linux distributors as part of their service agreements with their
customers.
If your company is worried about NDA issues surrounding your device's
specifications, we have arranged a program with OSDL/TLF's Tech Board to
provide the legal framework where a company can interact with a member
of the kernel community in order to properly assure that all needed NDA
requirements are fulfilled.
Now your developers will have more time to work on drivers for all of
the other operating systems out there, and you can add "supported on
Linux" to your product's marketing material.
This offer is in affect for all different types of devices, from USB
toys to PCI video devices to high-speed networking cards. If you build
it, we can get Linux drivers working for it.
For any questions about this program, please feel free to respond to
this email, or contact me directly at greg@kroah.com. I will also be
available at FreedomHEC 2007 <http://freedomhec.pbwiki.com/> held
adjacent to WinHEC, if anyone wants to bring devices and work
face-to-face.
thanks,
greg k-h
[1] for the CPUs that support the bus types that your device works on.
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