When buying new hardware for a linux system, should I only pick hardware that has linux drivers?
Q. I am new to linux. I want to construct a new computer that will operate linux. Should I only choose hardware (like a TV tuner card or a sound card) for which there are already linux drivers or are there always workarounds for getting every piece of hardware working on linux even if there are no drivers? Are these workarounds easy to implement or will I spend a lot of time and effort trying to get the hardware to work?
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Typically linux will work for most things, even if the box doesn’t say “linux compatible” There is usually a way to get peripherals working on a linux system regardless of drivers. Since you’re new however, I’d suggest just going with things that say “linux compatible” to save you the glorious task of writing your own drivers.
I would definately choose hardware that already has drivers developed for it. This will save you time and money, and although there are more drivers getting made everyday, they are often not fully effective and glitched as I found out. The workarounds are a pain, so just pick stuff that will work out the box. Having said that however, there are some that are very easy like wifi drivers. It just depends on what your using.. You should definately research every part and see what people are saying online about problems with it.
Most hardware will work with linux, and by that I mean CPU/Motherboard and Harddrives etc. You really need to pay attention to the drivers for video and sound cards if you want to get maximum capability and speed. Especially if your trying to build some sort of home theatre PC. Check out forums for things like myth.tv for best linux distros and best hardware.
The answer to this is very simple. Bottom line most vendors will NOT provide any drivers for linux and even if they did installing them would be a problem. Your best bet then becomes a paid linux that comes WITH ALL OR MOST DRIVERS ALREADY installed and will work out of the box like Mandriva Power Pack or Suse Linux Entreprise and that do include support Opensuse boxed version comes with telephone support would you need to calll them.
As everything else in life u get what u paid for. Free linux are cute but they require a lot of configuration. Paid linux do come with a lot of preinstalled software.
RICK
Naturally the easier path is to buy/use components that have linux drivers readily available. If the component maker doesn’t provide the driver a linux supporter will try to reverse engineer the driver. These drivers are not always available until a good period of time after the component is released, and the quality of these drivers vary a lot. Early versions of these drivers do not generally lead to a stable system.
THe people who like to use components that don’t have linux drives are those who want to learn the inner workings of linux and even want to learn how to write the drivers.
There are workarounds when you do not have a linux driver but they vary in their success and stability.
If you want a stable system that is easy to setup and maintain and update you best bet is to use as many components as possible that have good linux drivers.
If you google for a component plus linux drivers you should get a good idea of whether linux drivers are available. e.g. Creative audigy 2 z +linux drivers.
More and more manufacturers are coming on board and providing linux drivers. Many linux users complain to the manufacturers if they do not provide linux drives.
Here are some links that list components and linux drivers.
Good luck