On Tue, 31 May 2016 18:01:26 +0100, Rob Morley
wrote:

On Tue, 31 May 2016 13:58:55 -0000 (UTC)
TMack wrote:

To be fair to MS, the Broadcom hardware that is incompatible was
introduced before 2010. So...we have a wireless chipset that was at
least 6 years old at the time Win 10 was introduced, which turns out
to be incompatible.

Those sounds like the words of a MSFT apologist. MSFT is pushing the
WinX "upgrade" on everything since Windows 7, which launched September
2009, so they /really/ need to be sure they support common hardware from
then if they're going to maintain any credibility (some would say that
horse has already bolted).

Whilst that horse had the chance to bolt several times over the years
(and the Linux donkey jump into it's place) it hasn't happened yet and
doesn't look likely to. ;-(

GNU / Linux is and has always been in an even worse position re
drivers because of how few manufacturers don't cater for it and how
few men_in_sheds there are reverse engineering the more important ones
(and / or doing so fully and effectively when they do).

Don't get me wrong, I'd be using Linux more if it worked (fully) on
the hardware I happen to have (I'm not going out buying stuff
specifically for Linux) and if it ran more of the things *I* want and
need to use.

However, if you actually buy something that has been tested to be
'Linux compatible' and you are happy with the (limited) range of
software available for it (and don't still have to run Windows, on raw
iron / dual boot / VM to cover the stuff Linux can't) or just use your
PC as a web terminal (and don't own an iPod/Phone and want to use the
iTMS etc) then you could be equally serviced running Linux.

I must have 6 x P4 spec machines here I need to get rid of and it
would be an ideal position for me to be able to stick say Mint 17 on
them and give them away ... if only Mint 17 would run on them and
anyone would want them with Linux. ;-(

And I think it says something that you can't give a free OS away
pre-installed on free hardware! (And I've tried). ;-(

Cheers, T i m