Very Computer

Does anyone know when the big distributions will support USB
devices?

I have a USB scanner and modem, and I can't use either with the
6.0 release I am using.

Thanks for any info.

                                                        -- WB

Saying "USB" is almost like saying "PCMCIA".  They have a lot in
common -- hot plugging for one, and a variety of devices *some* of
which work under common interfaces for another.

Consider modems.  Almost all PCMCIA non-winmodems provide the same
interface.  So, the Linux PCMCIA drivers work for almost all of them,
without any special knowledge or configuration.  The same driver works
for just about any PCMCIA device that provides a simple serial
interface, such as serial ports and barcode wands.

Scanners are different.

Similarly, support for USB keyboards, mice, simple serial devices
(eg. modems) and printers should come relatively quickly (already in
some kernels).  For less standardized devices such as scanners, it
probably makes sense to pester the device manufacturer for specs, or
watch the "SANE" project.
--

HKS, Incorporated | http://www.hks.net/