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Driver search seems like a relatively simple collective action problem that the OS provider is well-positioned to solve. It seems like all that's necessary is t
by barrkel 6y ago
Driver search seems like a relatively simple collective action problem that the OS provider is well-positioned to solve. It seems like all that's necessary is to extract an identifier for the device and have a repository of (operating-system, identifier) -> driver that device manufacturers can upload to.
I guess it's the extras that kill things. Product differentiators like applets, software utility suites etc. probably make drivers less than simple modules, and more like installable software packages. It's in the OS vendor's interest to commoditize this and make devices generic, but not in the device manufacturers' interests.
- swiley 6y agoThis is essentially what Linux does. The “driver repository” is just the kernel source.
- brian_herman__ 6y agoOnly for the FOSS drivers. Which often suck.
- swiley 6y agoAlmost all the drivers on Linux are FOSS. I’ve never owned a device that needs closed drivers (other than phones and dear god do those drivers suck balls) but I’ve heard some pretty bad things from friends and people on the internet who have had to tolerate closed GPU drivers.
- tinus_hn 6y agoNo because the drivers that come with the default install (that automatically get installed when you plug in the device, even when offline) contain all that crap as well. It wouldn’t even be the first time if these become incompatible and cause blue screens after a Windows Build upgrade.