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Writing a basic Linux device driver when you know nothing about Linux drivers

(crescentro.se)
367 points sbt567 | 3 comments | 22 Jun 25 10:29 UTC | HN request time: 0.713s | source
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ahartmetz ◴[25 Jun 25 20:09 UTC] No.44381377[source]▶
> I also thought I’d message the vendor and ask them if they could share any specifications or docs regarding their protocol. To my surprise, Nanoleaf tech support responded to me within 4 hours, with a full description of the protocol that’s used both by the Desk Dock as well as their RGB strips.

How cool is that? Too many vendors still think that they have valuable intellectual property in such relative trivialities. And that handing out the specs freely helps their competitors more than themselves.

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1. starkrights ◴[25 Jun 25 20:43 UTC] No.44381631[source]▶
I had the same reaction. Nano leaf is extremely cool for that.
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2. baby_souffle ◴[25 Jun 25 22:28 UTC] No.44382353[source]▶
This has to put them in the top 0.01% of companies that make consumer electronics.

I can think of only a few companies that bother to publish any details... And most of them are focused on industrial customers where it isn't unreasonable to need certain protocol details for integration or even just compliance with certain regulatory systems.

Maybe things are changing?

I have noticed that some of the LED light controllers you see on AliExpress are leaning in to open firmware standards. 5 years ago, you bought the controller and had to flash your own firmware. Now, there's an option at checkout to select an open source firmware. Some even have a USB port built in for flashing!

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3. pipe01 ◴[26 Jun 25 15:30 UTC] No.44388375[source]▶
It really makes me wonder why it's not more common. They literally don't have to write any firmware, just use one of the thousands already available provided that the license allows for it