Hi Eric- Yeah, there's bound to be a world of device drivers for Linux where there isn't yet for Solaris x86. That's probably a big reason for Sun getting behind the new universal driver initiative lead by Intel. You just can't compare that aspect of x86 Solaris to the child of the Internet, Linux. There's a lot more to the differences between Solaris and Linux than the availability of device drivers.
I'm a Linux user/hobbyist as a result of one too many years inside of the Windows experience. The way I see it, Solaris is in the cat-bird seat here. Solaris is significantly ahead of Linux in many key areas. Sun needn't fear encroachment from Linux (as does MSFT). Linux, by it's nature, doesn't even WANT to become competitive in the 'Enterprise' space with Solaris. As much as I like Linux (it's what I use), it's still more of a teaching/hobby/small business (lower end) Unix, which is incidentally better (reliable/scalable) than the Microsoft "high end" Windows NT. Linux is certainly more worthwhile and rewarding to play with and learn than Windows 95 at home, particularly if you're setting up a home network or preparing a young mind for future CS or IT at (hopefully) the University level and into the world. I believe btw, that SUNW _is_ the Linux investment play.
For the most part, Sun doesn't care if you're running Solaris x86 or Redhat or SuSE, as long as you're a part of the tide into Unix mindshare. In the long run, Sun wins big. Even as home user, I can definitely see where 6 mos or a year from now, I'll be lusting after a Sun 'Darwin' box booting Solaris 2.7 and Redhat 6.x Sparc. Sun knows that they have a franchise that Linux can only augment. Having "Solaris certification" will always pay more than a like effort under Linux. The Sparc box will always be the cream at the top; the 'best'. On top of all that, there's a level of Java integration which Solaris will have the edge on, partly because Sun is dragging it's feet with Linux in that regard, and moreover because Linus at the helm of the Linux kernal doesn't have a similar agenda for Java as do the big boys, IBM, Sun and Novell.
Having said that, I do have some concern (as a SUNW shareholder) that Sun could be (should be) moving with stronger strokes toward availing Solaris x86 as an alternative to Linux at the 'free' level for the end user (future developers and admins). I understand that they were caught off-guard by the demand for the product (Solaris CD), and are perhaps still in awe over the new Unix ground swell from Intel land. I was amazed though at the lack of GNU/Open Source software available from the Sun (sanctioned) web site referenced by Sun for that purpose. I'm not sure that Sun has entirely 'gotten it' yet after researching that end of things. They need a 'Sunsite' for Solaris.
They're a pretty smart bunch though. I'm sure they'll get those ducks in a row soon enough. What really astounds me, after researching the whole Solaris thing is how relatively SMALL the installed Solaris base is. Given the Linux swell, and the NT (er, delay) there is this HUGE upside for Solaris growth (licensing). I think there's a big story there about to play out.
As we go forward in the end user Unix workstation world, I hope that some of the more traditional Unix conventions in use such as RTFM and 'roll your own' whatever, can be tempered somewhat by a greater degree of helpfulness as people migrate from the DOS world. OEM licensing aside, DOS and Windows didn't become ubiquitous by people reaching first for the 'RTFM' inclusion in any given reply to a request for help. Reading the newsgroups, I think I'm starting to see a greater degree of patience by people with people that way. The comp.unix.solaris(?) and alt.solaris.x86(?) should be helpful newsgroups for you.
IMO
JCJ
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