X-Account-Key: account1 X-UIDL: 130703 X-Mozilla-Keys: Return-Path: X-ListServer: CommuniGate Pro LIST 5.1.3 List-Unsubscribe: List-ID: List-Archive: Precedence: list Message-ID: Reply-To: "OS/2 Wireless Users Mailing List" Sender: "OS/2 Wireless Users Mailing List" To: "OS/2 Wireless Users Mailing List" Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:38:21 -0400 X-Original-Message-ID: From: "Ed Durrant" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Subject: Re: [OS2Wireless] Is it time to commission a driver project apart from GenMAC? Lewis G Rosenthal wrote: > Most of us on this list are aware of the current GenMAC situation > (which is relatively unchanged from where it has been for the past > couple years, to wit, closed source). Is it time to think about > "porting" (or adapting) something like MadWiFi (http://madwifi.org/) > or one of the Intel-based projects (http://ipw3945.sourceforge.net/, > http://ipw2100.sf.net/ or http://ipw2200.sf.net/)? > > While reinventing the wheel is never a task to be undertaken lightly, > perhaps another wrapper project - open source - would be the best way > to go? What would it take? Who would be interested to step up to the > plate either with financial support (for test equipment, etc.) or with > programming talent? > > We all appreciate Willibald's efforts, and we appreciate Thorolf's > constant monitoring of the GenMAC mailing lists; this goes without > question. That said, *I* don't see the situation with the code > changing anytime soon (a wrapper project such as GenMAC, which > distributes driver packages published by others may indeed have some > infringement issues; however, a project which distributes the wrapper > *only* and then has directions for where to obtain Win32 drivers, > unpack them, and install the necessary components - or a > semi-automated script to download, unpack, and install - would likely > not violate any such terms). > > Thoughts? > I agree Lewis, however I don't know if I would call the Genmac project "closed source" in the normal meaning (as I understand it) of proprietry software. Genmac wrapper at least in concept is based, I believe, on a similar Linux wrapper project. The approach is valid, using data files provided by the manufacturers of the cards to be able to operate them. That being said, native or ported drivers are likely to give better performance for the specific card chosen. The problem is that these components like so many others constantly change, so unless a ported driver is able to handle multiple cards and is able to be simply updated to handle more (similar to what Scitech did iin the past for video cards), one would be investing money for a short time gain. Perhaps we should define supported cards (similar to what MAC used to do) and concentrate on those cards ?? If someone wants to buy a card, they look to see which ones are supported and buy one of those, even if the machine came with a different (most likely cheaper) card. Cheers/2 Ed. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to the mailing list . To unsubscribe, E-mail to: To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to To switch to the INDEX mode, E-mail to Send administrative queries to To subscribe (new addresses), E-mail to: and reply to the confirmation email. Web archives are publicly available at: http://lists.2rosenthals.com This list is hosted by Rosenthal & Rosenthal, LLC P.O. Box 281, Deer Park, NY 11729-0281. Non- electronic communications related to content contained in these messages should be directed to the above address. (CAN-SPAM Act of 2003) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=