Improving Linux Driver Installation

This article discusses some of the current issues with Linux hardware device drivers. While I completely agree that the current implementation needs to be improved, I'm not too sure about things like “When you plug in a camera, the photos should sync with your desktop photo application. A wireless card should log on to the network. Plugging in a printer should bring up the printer configuration tool automatically.” I don't want my computer guessing what I want to do with a device. One of the things we should be learning from windows it that, when the OS guesses it will be incorrect more often then not (at least in my experience). I like that Linux tends to sit in the background and do what I ask, not try to lead me in directions I don't want to go. I do however whole heartedly agree with “One of the true benefits of the collaborative open source model is how well it can fix and improve issues and problems. I have no doubt that this will continue to apply for the challenges of using Linux as a desktop operating system. It will be interesting to see whether these challenges can push the kernel into new areas and continue the evolution of the Linux desktop.” Should be interesting indeed.
–jeremy