Open Letter to Logitech - Secure Your Spot as the Premier Linux Devices Provider
Dear Logitech,
As an IT Professional, electronics consumer, and GNU/Linux user, I am continuously looking for Peripherals providers that support the "Universal Operating System" (GNU/Linux).
I'm the guy that you'll find in the nearby BestBuy store, or Walmart, or even Office Depot, hunkered down in the electronics aisle, flipping over boxes looking at "System Requirements" to see if there's any indication of vendors doing the right thing and printing "Works with GNU/Linux"(or perhaps even affixing the Tux Penguin emblem) on their packaging. And although a great number of peripherals and hardware work with GNU/Linux, sometimes it's still a bit difficult to be absolutely positive. With your help, I aim to change that.
Yes, GNU/Linux is perhaps one of the greatest achievements of technologically advanced human beings since electricity itself was implemented in a useful fashion. The truth is, supporting GNU/Linux is not only a great humanitarian effort, it's a great contribution to the advancement of science and technology. Also, by helping to advance GNU/Linux, this is perhaps the most excellent indicator of outstanding Corporate Citizenship. Companies that help GNU/Linux are companies that care about the future of technology, and they should be rewarded with the best business.
When I go to the nearby electronics store I see basically two types of peripherals and related hardware, the type that are made by a company based in Redmond, and Logitech. I would like to see the Logitech type become more prominent.
After doing some research, I see that your company already has the beginnings of being a great supporter of GNU/Linux compatible products. For instance, when I point my browser to http://logitech.com and search for Linux - some results for webcams appear. On the webcams pages, it says: 'Enjoy fast easy setup of basic video calling features on ... and Linux'. I also see that the Logitech inspired website called http://www.quickcamteam.net provides the GNU/Linux drivers for many webcams. The list of Linux capable Logitech webcams is at: http://www.quickcamteam.net/devices
So I'd like to take this moment to extend to you the idea of your company securing its rightful spot as a "Premier provider of GNU/Linux compatible peripherals and hardware", and ask that you proudly display the "GNU/Linux compatible" markings on your product packaging.
Here's to your future as a great company, corporate citizen, prosperous business leader, and premier provider of peripherals and hardware for technology.
Thank You.
Shannon VanWagner
humans enabled
As an IT Professional, electronics consumer, and GNU/Linux user, I am continuously looking for Peripherals providers that support the "Universal Operating System" (GNU/Linux).
I'm the guy that you'll find in the nearby BestBuy store, or Walmart, or even Office Depot, hunkered down in the electronics aisle, flipping over boxes looking at "System Requirements" to see if there's any indication of vendors doing the right thing and printing "Works with GNU/Linux"(or perhaps even affixing the Tux Penguin emblem) on their packaging. And although a great number of peripherals and hardware work with GNU/Linux, sometimes it's still a bit difficult to be absolutely positive. With your help, I aim to change that.
Yes, GNU/Linux is perhaps one of the greatest achievements of technologically advanced human beings since electricity itself was implemented in a useful fashion. The truth is, supporting GNU/Linux is not only a great humanitarian effort, it's a great contribution to the advancement of science and technology. Also, by helping to advance GNU/Linux, this is perhaps the most excellent indicator of outstanding Corporate Citizenship. Companies that help GNU/Linux are companies that care about the future of technology, and they should be rewarded with the best business.
When I go to the nearby electronics store I see basically two types of peripherals and related hardware, the type that are made by a company based in Redmond, and Logitech. I would like to see the Logitech type become more prominent.
After doing some research, I see that your company already has the beginnings of being a great supporter of GNU/Linux compatible products. For instance, when I point my browser to http://logitech.com and search for Linux - some results for webcams appear. On the webcams pages, it says: 'Enjoy fast easy setup of basic video calling features on ... and Linux'. I also see that the Logitech inspired website called http://www.quickcamteam.net provides the GNU/Linux drivers for many webcams. The list of Linux capable Logitech webcams is at: http://www.quickcamteam.net/devices
So I'd like to take this moment to extend to you the idea of your company securing its rightful spot as a "Premier provider of GNU/Linux compatible peripherals and hardware", and ask that you proudly display the "GNU/Linux compatible" markings on your product packaging.
Here's to your future as a great company, corporate citizen, prosperous business leader, and premier provider of peripherals and hardware for technology.
Thank You.
Shannon VanWagner
humans enabled
I have to say that I fully agree with your post. Logitech have provided me with many excellent keyboards and mice over the years. More recently however fancy features ie integrated displays have been making their way into the hardware. I will steer clear of such products in favor of something more basic as there is no guarentee that the extras will work with my Linux machines.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. Using a logitech webcam with Ubuntu.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ilovelinux.co.uk
Ditto to both above as user of logitech keyboard mouse, webcam all Linux (varying flavours - What I would love is if i could get a UK keyboard in Switzerland (where Logitech comes from) rather than carrying spares back from UK
ReplyDeleteStill I guess Linux compatability and swiss reliability will keep me buying it - why not claim some credit
While you're writing to Logitech, may I add a small postscript?
ReplyDeletePlease, Logitech, bring back a plain old 3-button mouse. I dislike the "new, improved" wheel-mice with a vengeance. I hate that nearly every time I try to middle-click on a line on a page, the wheel moves slightly and I end up selecting the line above!
Frankly, I find Microsoft's hardware to be top-notch, despite their on-going uphill battle again the inevitable. All Microsoft hardware I've had chance to get my hands on works perfectly on GNU/Linux.
ReplyDeleteThus, we should send a letter of Microsoft and ask them to switch to hardware only. That would be beneficial for everyone, and provide Logitech with meaningful competition.
...and while your at it could you remove the windows logo on the super key and Microsoft office specific logos on f keys? Or consider providing some generic transfers to cover them up.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed that so many hardware and device vendor fail to realize what a market they could capture just by cozying up to Linux. I use HP printers because I have found them to work great in Linux. And the logi-tech keyboard / mice combos have not done too bad, either. I tend to be very loyal to vendors who take the extra little step and get their stuff to work with Linux.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with marytee. When purchasing my last printer, I purposely chose a HP model because of its linux compatibility. Of course, linux compatibility will also be my main concern when purchasing hardware in the future.
ReplyDelete