Lack of hardware support happens mostly on the other end of the spectrum, with very high-end graphics cards no kernel developer has ever seen from up close and multi-card setups that are essentially unique. I feel sorry for the people who need that but unless hardware manufacturers start to properly document their stuff, make it available to Linux kernel developers and START PAYING MONEY to have drivers developed (like vendors do with Windows) it'll not improve.
You mean people with economical pressure to be profitable ?
As a Linux user, I know I represent a fraction of the market. I'm grateful when people invest in us, because I know it's a great move in principle, but it's not always one money-wise.
Building hardware is HARD. Selling is HARD.
Being dismissive to the people not being able to provide linux support is not going to win them to our cause.
Selling more hardware is usually good for a hardware manufacturer. So is having fewer people returning their equipment because it doesn't work.
> not being able to provide linux support
Most kernel developers would be ecstatic just with proper documentation of the hardware being sold.
It all depends of the ROI. In hardware the economy at scale is at play, and it doesn't go well with niches.
> Most kernel developers would be ecstatic just with proper documentation of the hardware being sold.
I agree. That's mostly a matter of culture. Many companies won't publish docs, because they are either afraid of competition, pirating, or looking stupid.
If people want linux on the desktop to offer a more polished experience the only way about it is for everyone to put their money where their mouth is.
If "Linux" were a company we would be justified in demanding a fully finished product before buying but free software is a resource that already benefits billions even if they only interact with it via android, or web services.
"As the author points out, regression failures are a big problem. The sheer bloat of Linux has made it unmaintainable. And who wants that job? Big chunks of important code are abandonware."
This seems to be unsupported supposition that we are supposed to take as received wisdom.