Now comes an offer from senior Linux kernel developer Greg Kroah-Hartman - kernel developers will develop free drivers for manufacturers who provide the necessary technical details. "All that is needed is some kind of specification that describes how your device works, or the email address of an engineer that is willing to answer questions every once in a while. A few sample devices might be good to have so that debugging doesn't have to be done by email, but if necessary, that can be done," Kroah-Hartman wrote in his blog.

The manufacturer is then assured of having a working driver in the main Linux kernel source tree; the driver will be updated through any changes in application programming interfaces and will also work with all the architectures on which Linux runs.

Kroah-Hartman's pledge goes further - the driver will be included in all GNU/Linux distributions, including those which are focused on the business sector. With regard to the hurdle of IP, he writes that if the manufacturer in question is worried about non-disclosure issues, then all needed requirements can be arranged through the Linux Foundation, a recent creation from the merger of the Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group.

One has to assume that Kroah-Hartman has discussed the issue with at least some of the 1500-odd kernel developers before going out on this limb. He has even offered support: "As for support, the driver will be supported through email by the original developers, when they can help out, and by the "enterprise" Linux distributors as part of their service agreements with their customers."

For small manufacturers who are unable to provide Linux drivers due to a lack of funds, this is an offer which can only be welcomed. Selling an extra 1000 or 2000 units of any piece of hardware makes a big difference to a small business and if the lack of a Linux driver was the reason, then that has now been taken care of. There is good reason to rejoice.