[clug] Re:Linux Hardware Database (was USB Wireless in Canberra)

[Rodney Peters]

I certainly think that such a database would be worthwhile and would join in, 
although I have no knowledge to contribute to the current wireless networking 
topic.

I tried a similar database for a Linux Learner's SIG.  Its usefulness is 
limited by only a few people contributing and the info being fairly patchy. 
FWIW, we use a wiki as the user interface.

A much larger group, such as CLUG, would have a better chance of making a go 
of it.  I think the key requirements would be:

make contributing easy

get to a critical mass of data as quickly as practical 

The latter would be a big ask as individuals have differing interests & 
priorities.  Perhaps ask members to target topical items first eg wireless 
networking followed by USB hosts & peripherals.

One potential pitfall with such a database would be allowing obsolete 
assessments to remain in it.  Identifying the level required for various 
packages helps, but newbies are generally reluctant to upgrade parts of a 
distro.  They would be reluctant to buy an item having that prerequisite, 
whereas it may well work with a later version of a distro, as released.


Rod

On Wednesday 08 March 2006 14:09, linux-request at lists.samba.org wrote:
> Re: [clug] USB Wireless in Canberra
>  Date: Today 13:57:03
>  From: Robert Edwards <bob at cs.anu.edu.au>
>  To: adavid at adavid.com.au
>  CC: linux at lists.samba.org
>
> Harris Technology in Fyshwick may also have some appropriate dongles.
>
> On a slightly off-topic, I would be keen to see a user-contributed
> database of what Linux-friendly hardware is available from where in
> Canberra (maybe Australia) and possibly how-much it cost at time of
> purchase and what experiences were had in making it go on which-ever
> distro.
>
> We can provide hosting for the database/website, but I haven't enough
> time to think through the whole thing at this point.
>
> Anyone think this might be worthwhile and want to join in?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Bob Edwards.