[oclug] RE: OCLUG Re: RH misgivings

[Jon Earle]

On Tue, 4 Nov 2003 charles.macdonald at hrdc-drhc.gc.ca wrote:

> > From: Jon Earle <je_oclug at kronos.honk.org>
> > http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/linuxunix/0,3> 9020390,39117575,00.htm
> > >
> > I'll have to search a bit to see what I'll need to install to read
> > pics out of a camera (Canon Powershot A70).
>
> Did you try a google search for: Linux "Canon Powershot A70"

I haven't started looking around yet to see what it is I need to get it
hooked up, which is what I was alluding to above.  It's been easier so far
to just email them to myself from her Windows PC.  The Canon software is
great - hook up the camera, the software loads and gives me a menu which,
amonst other things, has the option to list the images in the camera (with
thumbnails), save them, tweak camera settings, etc.

> You are almost sure to find an article that lists how well it works (IE
> how well that the Camera complies with industry standards)

Perhaps.  When I'm ready to play with the camera, I'll search around.  I
wasn't throwing that out as a call for help (yet), rather, I was just
making the point that it's something one has to figure out how to do,
rather than just dropping in a CD.

> > I guess part of the point he's making is that manufacturers are only
> > now starting to provide Linux support.  Perhaps one day you'll be able
> > to walk into Best Buy, pick up a camera, stick the enclosed CD into
> > your drive and install the camera software onto your Linux machine.
> > That day isn't here.
>
> I have come to the conclusion that the fight will be first of all for
> Free unencumbered open standards, for interoperability.  You should not
> NEED a CD to come with your Camera.  The Camera maker should select a
> standard method to interact with the world, and you Linux installation
> should be able to support that method.  All the end user should have to
> do is plug it in, and open the GIMP or (I donknow, MS photo editor)
> whatever application they want to use, and click on acquire, and find
> the device (/dev/usb/canonA70 perhaps?) that they want to get the
> inmage(s) from.

I don't know how well that's gonna fly... new HW always comes with new
features in addition to 'standard' ones and I'd hate to see HW
manufacturers neutered by arbitraily chosen limits.  If you don't have the
correct drivers (and the software to take full advantage of the HW), you
will always run at half-throttle.  Manufacturers should be encouraged to
produce Linux versions of drivers and software.

-- 
Jon Earle

SAVE FARSCAPE http://www.savefarscape.com/

Vegetarian - an old Indian word meaning 'lousy hunter'.