Rebelsaid:Open Hardware Manufacturing

I and others enjoy the low cost of Linux OS. One of the most pressing impediments to the growth of desktop Linux is the need for hardware support. Its seems companies don't want to open up their drivers or put large amounts of resources into supporting a small share of the market. However, Desktop Linux's share of the market will be limited until the operating system is more accessible and compatible.

The open source software (OSS) initiative has already created a highly productive, globally supported alternative software platform. It was a movement started as a result of the discontent with the proprietary software world. The choice of free applications for Linux is growing all the time. I'm hopeing that a "Open Hardware Manufacturing Initiative" could do the same for hardware support. It could be joined or formed by a few companys that could make it clear not only that desktop Linux is something for everyone but also that it is a financially responsible choice for a seller. As I stated before...Linux has reached a point now where the superior Linux distributions are established enough to replace Microsoft Windows for many users if they desire to do so.

In my way of thinking, an OHM initiative will be a win-win for every one. For manufacturers and vendors who are looking to compete based on price, this is one of the few factors which every buyer would understand that an OHM company will have an appreciable advantage over systems which include the licensing costs of Windows. Every PC sold with Windows XP pre-installed has about a $70 surcharge. Stuff like Linspire-Linux probably has about a $30 surcharge. And let us not forget the included additional software fees, like Microsoft Office.

So I do hope in the new year a few motherboard manufacturers, printer/scanner manufacturers, and modem manufacturers will come together with the common goal of making bigger profits with an emerging platform.