What (if any) way(s) can AbsoluteValue Systems re-coop, from the hardware
vendors, some of the value for their Linux development?

I know of at least 2 hardware vendors who advertise "Linux Support" for
their products. This "Linux support" is the linux-wlan driver. I also have a
CD from a vendor who has distributed the linux-wlan driver on it. I have
purchased products solely because they offer "Linux Support". If they can
get my business because they offer a Linux solution, then they should PAY to
support the Linux OS.

How many of these hardware vendors have contributed to this project either
financially or by code contributions?

Lets not forget Intersil. They are the 2.4GHz integrated radio chip set
period. Is there any continued interest from Intersil to contribute (fund)
this project and the Linux OS?

After all, it is all of our HARDWARE dollars (and software $ for some of us)
that is driving this industry. If there is no hardware then what good is
the software, and what good is the software without the hardware.

Is there any requirement from AbsoluteValue Systems for hardware vendors to
either promote, recommend, or distribute the linux-wlan driver?

What ways can WE, the users of this code, do to address the issue that
AbsoluteValue Systems needs to be paid for this work, and be paid to
continue making a better product(s)?

I may not have $20,000.00 laying around but I am sure I could support this
project financially in some amount. Add that to others out there and I am
sure we could raise some capital to move US from the low-life bottom feeders
that we are, to being a valued CUSTOMER to AbsoluteValue Systems.

Compaq offers their Software AP for about $125.00. This (I assume) would
have include the required firmware to create an AP. This would be the cost
for a single unit (license), and would not (Legally) permit you to load and
run that software from unlimited number of machines.

Could we also attach a cost for the AP stuff here, that would satisfy
Intersil and entice AbsoluteValue Systems to see us not as free-loaders ...
but customers.

The announcement from Mark that "AVS is developing our own AP and PCCARD
product lines" is some what exciting and also
somewhat scary.

I would like to know what will happen to the free solution? We have seen
here the contradiction of releasing open source code and trying to profit
from it at the same time. (has it been working well?) We have no
documentation, minimal support, and the with holding of code. What will
happen when AVS starts to sell this (driver) as a commercial product. Will
this sort of free-loader vs. customer situation explode into eliminating the
project? Or will it eliminate the need to fund the software development
because of revenues from hardware sales? Only time will tell.

Scott Franzyshen
http://www.getwireless.net/

P.S. You can get a copy of the Programmers Manual from Intersil simply by
signing and faxing them a copy of their NDA.
The AP firmware and other code can be purchased from Intersil on a CD. (This
may require more paper work and agreements)

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