All of these issues can change - by people running Linux on their Macbooks, encountering the issues you describe - and then, scratching the itch and fixing the problem.
But of course, unless someone actually tries, the itch never arises.
So your discouragement could be interpreted as an attempt to reduce the effectiveness of Linux on the Macbook platform. Why would you actually encourage that?
Maybe he doesn't want to spend his time or his energy needlessly tinkering with a system for which the manufacturer doesn't give a damn about supporting linux, despite having used the code to build their own, proprietary operating system.
All these issues could also be solved if Apple opened up their hardware. We would also collectively have many more hours to develop other FLOSS software. Why are you putting the onus of blame on OP?
I have a hard time understanding the logical reasoning behind your post, but would love to.
Are you implying that Apple went against the terms of a license under which code they used was placed? Or are you implying that even when you fully respect a license, you additionally have a moral obligation to follow certain rules unwritten in the license (which include opening up hardware, according to your post)?
Neither. I was responding to the parent comment, which was implying that OP was somehow shirking his duties as a Linux user by not using hardware with broken driver support.
I was suggesting that OP has better things to do than fix drivers that Apple couldn't give a damn about supporting.
My response to the OP was not predicated on his/her personal non-desire to contribute to the expansion of Linux capabilities, but more his call for people "to just give up because its not worth it", which is a specious position for any hacker to be in, imho ..
Not everyone is a hacker. Not everyone who runs Linux is a hacker. Not everyone who wants to run Linux on a retina MBP is a hacker.
Not everyone who's a hacker has "improving the usability of Linux on Apple hardware" among their driving priorities. Your suggestion that someone who doesn't isn't is what's specious. "No true Scotsman," and all...
I'm presently using the very machine TFA is talking about, and would love to be running Linux, but I have far more compelling things to do with my time than to fuck with drivers. I switched from Linux on a ThinkPad (x61t, for reference, supposedly very well supported) to OSX on a Mac precisely because I found myself spending more time twiddling configs and drivers to get such basic things as sound and wifi working than actually, you know, working.
I don't think there's anything wrong with having priorities other than the ones you're espousing, and I don't think it's reasonable or fair to expect otherwise.
Because he's actively discouraging people, rather pessimistically, from trying to improve the situation.
How did Linux get to where it is today? Was it by people saying "oh, it doesn't work, so why bother, its just all such a huge hassle" .. or was it more like "you know what would be cool? If Linux ran on this great hardware .. that'd be cool .. I'll spend some time on it".
Honestly, is this "Hacker News" or is it "Lamer News"? The folks downvoting and justifying subservience to the OSX hegemony over forward progress for the Linux collective must not realize just how nice it will be, one day soon, to be running the greatest OS ever made on the finest quality laptop hardware made, so far. Hmm .. that's rather an unusual hubris.
Disclaimer: been running Linux since day one. Had it running on my 4 Apple machines for 5+ years too. I don't see the problems a lot of folks do .. but then again, thats because I scratched the itch of wanting to escape from the OSX hegemony.
Alternatively, if people devoted their time to writing drivers/fixing issues on platforms where the creators were happy to take their contributions (i.e. any pc manufacturer that has no vested interest in a competing OS), then the improvements might be longer lived.
This is a good point, and I thank you for contributing it.
Generally, I'd disagree that Apple makes great hardware. I've owned an iBook and 2 MacBooks, and I think Apple generally produces shoddy quality products.
The exception being their trackpads, which are really quite exceptional.
I still think Apple deserves criticism for locking down both their hardware and their software.
Edit: To be fair, I've never owned a retina MacBook.
The MBP Retina is one of the finest machines out there, and I've looked. If there is a manufacturer who can compete with the quality of the MBP Pro, while also giving superlative Linux support, I'd love to know. So far, no dice - close, but no cigar. The Google Chromebook Pixel is pretty darn close, but doesn't seem to be getting the upgrades and forward-thinking features that the MBP Pro has.
That said, I eagerly await the day that Apple are bumped down a rung or two. I'll be quite happy to abandon the MBP Pro for something better - when it exists. Trouble is, it doesn't yet.
The number of people who might like to run Linux on their Macbook is a pretty small number, all things considered, but it's absolutely gigantic compared to the number of people who could possibly fix the types of problems described in the parent.
I see you're being down voted? I have been looking for an open
alternative to Apple's operating system for about two years
now. I am no computer wizard. I consider myself an average
computer user. Yes--I know a little bit about the command line, can put up static websites, but I am an average user; not advanced. I like Apple, but I want a computer that I
can plug an external device in, and with a little coding; I
can get it to work. I have always had a hard time with tweaking Apple's operating system. I know they are suspose to be locked down, but I find I just don't use my Apple products, besides the Ipad, for most of my projects. I end
up using a 10 year old Toshiba. I'm not upset with Apple--just tired of updating operating systems--then some programs and externals stop working. I don't like agreeing to 56? pages of legal stuff-- I don't read on Itunes.(Actually, I can't
download from Itunes because I refuse to agree to that
to the terms & conditions because it is 56 pages) Why do I own two
Apple computers--I acccepted them in barter for services.
So call me stupid, but I have been passively waiting for an
simple to use operating system not tied to Apple, but uses that beautiful
hardware. And no, I don't dislike Apple; I'm just not the fan I was a few years ago. Yes--It's a grest company. These
are just my, probally off base, thoughts. (Who would thought
I would actually be concerned about the backlash from a post?
I used to never back down from a physical fight; now I don't
want to be beat up online--yea, I'm getting old.)
.. which is great and everything, but doesn't have quite the oomph that the MBP Retina has .. yet. I'd love to see the Pixel get a hardware spec refresh and actually compete with the MBP Pro - if there were a configuration of the Pixel available with the same/better RAM/CPU/Disk configuration as the MBP Pro, I'd jump on it in a heartbeat. I don't need Apple - I do need a machine that can take the knocks and kicks issued by my lifestyle. The physical design is the principle attraction; but the specs must be competitive, and imho, they're just not. Yet. Lets see if a Pixel2 is on the horizon that gives the MBP Retina some heartache ..
But of course, unless someone actually tries, the itch never arises.
So your discouragement could be interpreted as an attempt to reduce the effectiveness of Linux on the Macbook platform. Why would you actually encourage that?