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100

We need BSD support too!!

100 points posted to Linux, Service and Support by mad_nassos May 3

I am totally satisfied that I can use some Linux distributions, like Ubuntu, Fedora and OpenSUSE in my XPS M1330 laptop, but I am a freeBSD user too. I think all BSD users will appriciate it a lot if there was some support on freeBSD, too, as for instance in my XPS, I can't use my Network Card, neither my Wireless Metwork Card.

matt_d
May 3		 The Intel 4965 WiFi cards are a work-in-progress. http://unix.derkeiler.com/Mailing-Lists/FreeBSD/current/2008-03/msg00219.html
The network card is a Broadcom 5906M, which in Linux uses the tg3 driver; FreeBSD has a version of the tg3 driver too. Perhaps their instance just needs another PCI ID added.

While I regularly hear requests for FreeBSD on some server products from some large customers, I rarely hear requests for FreeBSD on desktop and notebook systems. Without the kind of user demand like we saw with the Ubuntu requests, it would be difficult to justify pursuing that development as strongly as we have our Linux investments.
zmjjmz
May 3		 While we're at it lets add OpenSolaris too.
mad_nassos
May 3		 @matt_d: When I ordered my laptop I could choose between 3 different Wifi Network cards, So mine is not an Intel, but a Broadcom, if am anot mistaken the bcm4306.
Thanks for your advice and your quick responce, I will try to use the tg3 driver you said me! ;)
kgagnon
May 3		 Agree. I use mine as a mobile development environment for my data centers where I run Linux (RHEL & CentOS, SuSE), also Unix (OpenBSD, FreeBSD) and Solaris.

I guess some administrators and architects are doing the same with their laptop!
zmjjmz
May 3		 Maybe you could offer it along with the Business Linux computers?
kenjennings
May 4		 Yeah, Ditto - -BSD and Solaris.
infinitelink
May 6		 How about making the BSD teams work on more compatibility layers to import the Linux drivers...BSD requires total licensed freedom, whereas the GPL at least lets companies protect their work somewhat...if they even GPL it besides just making the drivers available. BSD is cool...but is also, like Linux often does to itself, often its own enemy. Do the different BSDs have the ability to use one another's drivers?
zmjjmz
May 6		 The licenses are incompatible, happens to OpenSolaris too.
It's the _worst_ reason for a lack of driver support.
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