Project: Phoronix LCH!

[Michael]

Yet another Phoronix project is starting to take form and will hopefully be officially unveiled towards the end of July or early August... Forum users simply get a sneak-peak for now. We don't believe anything like this has yet existed, so please bear with us as we work out the initial bugs and begin to add additional features. For the time being, this project is being referred to as "Phoronix LCH".

What Phoronix LCH basically boils down to is an organized community system that will ultimately show what works and what doesn't when it comes to Linux hardware compatibility. There are a few organized lists for some specific distributions available, but we believe this will be the first wide-spread system to distribute this type of information. Sure, you can use Google and try multiple search queries to attempt to find some information on forums or mailing list of users talking about how a specific piece of hardware works with Linux (or wait for a Phoronix review to appear :)), but we are attempting to make this process much easier for end-users and provide it in a more organized fashion. Phoronix LCH will be community-driven and accepts public hardware entries and compatibility comments. Below is a blurb from the project page.

Phoronix LCH is designed to be a community-driven indexing system for computer hardware under Linux. This system allows you to post Linux information on hardware, as well as sharing your own personal experiences when it comes to Linux compatibility. You are also able to browse and search the database for other hardware as well. This is designed to make it much more effortless when deciding what Linux compatible hardware to go with during your next upgrade. Phoronix LCH is not distribution specific, and allows comments from all versions of Linux. Phoronix LCH is basically designed to share what works and what doesn't when it comes to hardware under Linux.

Already active on the temporary page for Phoronix LCH is a working system, which shows all available hardware entries, allows you to browse the entries, search the entries, and several other features. We also have a few additional (and exciting) features for this system that we hope to roll out soon. Stay tuned :).

With this sort of concept basically being uncharted waters, we certainly welcome any feedback, etc... Currently in the database are a few entries made for demonstration purposes, however, we invite you to begin entering your own hardware experiences.

Most of the major bugs in this program should already be stomped, however, if you see any issues please let us know. Such bugs could include browser incompatibility, hardware device information formatting, user authentication problems, etc... Of the many things still being worked on include improving the user interface (possibly adding some nice graphical functions), improvements with the user verification and management of specific settings for registered users (Control Panel, as well as the implementation of sessions to prevent entering the username/password so often), etc... We also welcome any other ideas or suggestions you may have for improving the concept to better assist Linux users.

Phoronix LCH can be found @ http://www.phoronix.com/lch/

Keep in mind this system is still very much under development, so pardon the rough edges but basically at this point we are looking for any and all feedback. Thanks!

If this turns out to be a large enough success, and ultimately enough demand, we will be replicating the system for Solaris and FreeBSD users as well.

Feel free to discuss Phoronix LCH in this thread.

[Rob Williams]

This is a great idea. I've contemplated such an idea in the past. It's a big project but should pay off!

How long does it take to receive the welcome e-mail? It's been around a half hour and I haven't received it yet.

[Michael]

The message should be pretty much instant. Let me know if it shows up later, or in your junk mail or something. It should be from do-not-reply @ phoronix I haven't run into any mail problems yet.

Anyhow, your account has been manually activated.

[Rob Williams]

Thanks man. I will let you know if I receive the e-mail. I am actually checking it through webmail and don't have any spam protectors on.

First comments on it..

How about an edit button? I added an NVIDIA 7800GT but it should say eVGA instead of NVIDIA. Edit for the actual post and the comments would be nice. But obviously the product info should only be edited the originating poster or by you.

Maybe have a small guide inside each new entry that tells the user exactly what information should be there? I just took a stab, but hopefully I didn't miss anything.

Tis all. Looking good though.

[Michael]

Thanks man. I will let you know if I receive the e-mail. I am actually checking it through webmail and don't have any spam protectors on.

First comments on it..

How about an edit button? I added an NVIDIA 7800GT but it should say eVGA instead of NVIDIA. Edit for the actual post and the comments would be nice. But obviously the product info should only be edited the originating poster or by you.

Maybe have a small guide inside each new entry that tells the user exactly what information should be there? I just took a stab, but hopefully I didn't miss anything.

Tis all. Looking good though.

Thanks. Yes, a edit button for users would be great, and am in the process on deciding its most effective implementation.

I intend to create some sort of "examples window" or something along those lines to help users decide on what information to submit.

Any other suggestions are always welcome.

[Michael]

Added a new "Systems" category for pre-built desktops and servers, similar to the notebook category.

Other improvements were made to the present public user page (example (http://www.phoronix.com/lch/?k=showpost&s=Michael)), as well as improvements to the search efficiency, and a few other random changes.

More to come soon!

- Front-page is also revised.

[Scott]

I really see no reason to separate the graphics cards based on their brand. Just about all of them, with a few rare exceptions follow either the ATI or nVidia reference designs and just have a third party sticker slapped on the hsf, and sometimes, a different hsf. The graphics card brand has no effect on the drivers that it uses, so all nVidia cards should be in the nVidia section, no matter what brand they are, and that should also apply to ATI. I'm rather confident that not only your evga 7800GT will work in linux, any 7800GT will also work, regardless of the brand. Separating the graphics cards based on brand will only add confusion and make the website a big mess.

--Scott

[Michael]

I really see no reason to separate the graphics cards based on their brand. Just about all of them, with a few rare exceptions follow either the ATI or nVidia reference designs and just have a third party sticker slapped on the hsf, and sometimes, a different hsf. The graphics card brand has no effect on the drivers that it uses, so all nVidia cards should be in the nVidia section, no matter what brand they are, and that should also apply to ATI. I'm rather confident that not only your evga 7800GT will work in linux, any 7800GT will also work, regardless of the brand. Separating the graphics cards based on brand will only add confusion and make the website a big mess.

--Scott

Correct, that was one of the areas I was thinking about. However, users should post their specific board manufacturer in the hardware notes section, or in their Linux compatibility comments.

[Shadewalker]

Looks very good to me. One suggestion: I think all entries should have a mandatory kernel version field and an optional (but strongly recommended) kernel feature/module field. This is because specific hardware might work in kernel version X, but kernel version Y's driver for it might be broken. Also, it is equally important to point out which driver was used for evaluation.

[Michael]

Looks very good to me. One suggestion: I think all entries should have a mandatory kernel version field and an optional (but strongly recommended) kernel feature/module field. This is because specific hardware might work in kernel version X, but kernel version Y's driver for it might be broken. Also, it is equally important to point out which driver was used for evaluation.

It was hoped that the user would specify that information in the Linux comment area, with the rest of their Linux compatibility comments, however, we will look into adding the driver/kernel field.

[Rob Williams]

I really see no reason to separate the graphics cards based on their brand.

I agree. Since we are not dealing with performance differences but rather whether they work at all or not.

It was hoped that the user would specify that information in the Linux comment area, with the rest of their Linux compatibility comments, however, we will look into adding the driver/kernel field.

I think that a 'module' area would be key also, but maybe it's just me. If someone has a piece of hardware but don't know which module to use, it could prove useful.

For instance, when I first got the Chaintech AV-710, I spent hours trying to figure out that it was the snd_ice1724 module I was supposed to use.

Actually... maybe most distros will do that for you.. I am not sure. I know in Gentoo a lot of things have to be manually configured. Maybe I should just try a wider variety of distros and see how things are usually done, hehe.

[Michael]

Some new changes were implemented today, as well as another feature or two.

Still welcoming input on any of the pages whether it be features or its appearance/interface.

More changes will come later this week.

[niniendowarrior]

Great job on the LCH, Michael.

The information is pretty fine, but I think it's too wordy. I would suggest having some sort of illustrative ranking (maybe ranking how it works in 'stars'. So that people who want to check out the hardware can very well see how the performance is without having to read so much about what modules were detected.

[Michael]

Once the database content begins to gain more entries and evolve there will be the option of a simpler/quicker interface for sorting the highest-ranked components, show only hardware comments to a specific distribution, etc... (among many other exciting features). It should certainly meet any ones personal preferences for browsing hardware entries and comments.

[DrCR]

One thought - make the lspci -v output "toggleable", perhaps with a simple hide/expand or [+/-] or something.

I just want to see the comments - not hardware specs. Bare in mind this is comming from an admited hardware geek though. ;)

[Patrick]

It looks great, but again- an edit button would be nice.

[Michael]

Patrick,

The edit feature is still certainly on the table. Due to the unique design of the software, there are a few other functions that must first be developed in order to properly handle the correct user edit method. A edit feature will hopefully be working soon, but in the mean time if there are any bugs they can email linux [at ] phoronix.com to have the error corrected.

[KohlyKohl]

Although it does already exist, and has for some years now, another Linux hardware compatibility list can only be a good thing.
http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/

[Michael]

Although it does already exist, and has for some years now, another Linux hardware compatibility list can only be a good thing.
http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/

Thanks for pointing that out, I wasn't familiar with that. Anyhow, from quickly looking it over, Phoronix LCH has, and will have more, additional features beyond what is provided by that system, which seems to simply be a vBulletin module. More items to come shortly.

[Michael]

One thought - make the lspci -v output "toggleable", perhaps with a simple hide/expand or [+/-] or something.

I just want to see the comments - not hardware specs. Bare in mind this is comming from an admited hardware geek though. ;)

Now if you click the title of the hardware information (like lspci or /proc/cpuinfo) it will toggle between expanded mode and collapse. The pages will still load fully, but if you simply click the title now, you shouldn't have to scroll much. May implement it with a + / - image system for it as well.

[Michael]

RSS feeds for individual categories is now accessible from the home-page @ http://www.phoronix.com/lch/

[niniendowarrior]

Michael, it would be neat if you specified the driver and version number you used.

That would give readers a good idea what driver they know works for the distribution tested.

[Michael]

Ideally the user would specify in the comment area what driver/version was used, but I will look into making that a requirement.

Does anyone else have any remaining comments? Other then what was already mentioned.

[niniendowarrior]

Here's a couple of ideal things I would like to see in LCH...

1. It would be nice to discuss how the drivers were installed into the system.
2. List of existing drivers for the hardware.
3. Links pointing to related hardware
e.g. Motherboards based on a certain VIA chipset or nForce chipset.

The purpose of this idea is so that if the hardware worked on Linux, there's a good chance it would also work on other hardware that are based on similar technologies.

[Michael]

Phoronix LCH has now launched. Many of the mentioned comments in this thread are still being evaulated and worked on, and we will continue to be rolling out new features for some time. Similarly, we have just created a kernel field when posting Linux comments.

Feel free to share Phoronix LCH with your fellow Linux users.

http://www.phoronix.com/lch/

[Michael]

Feel free to digg the new list, if you so desire @ http://digg.com/linux_unix/Linux_Hardware_Compatibility_list_open_to_the_publ ic

[Rob Williams]

Someone beat you to it I believe:

http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/Linux_Hardware_Compatibility_Database_Launches

Grats bro! You must be rolling in traffic ^_^

[Michael]

Few other notes... user sessions is still being developed, as well as a MUCH improved interface for searching/browsing the content, password reset/user control panel, There is also an interesting setup coming soon for distributions.

Improved sorting has also been implemented on the menu pages (at the bottom of the page).
i.e. http://www.phoronix.com/lch/?k=menu&i=2&w=Motherboards


Any other comments are still welcome.

[Michael]

Here's part of a spoiler for one of the BIG features that will roll out shortly for improving the interface and browsing-ability :D

From the home-page at LCH (http://www.phoronix.com/lch/) at the bottom is a line that reads "popular distributions", feel free to click on any of those distros... (note: javascript must be enabled).

This area, among others, will be greatly improved shortly.

[efiniti]

I think having a huge hcl for linux is an excellent idea!

I feel a bit uneasy about the whole interface though. What about multiple revisions of a certain card? If you would look at this hcl for wireless chipsets (http://linux-wless.passys.nl/) and look at their complete listing you would see a couple versions of the same card. How would your hcl handle that?

[Michael]

You could handle that by specifying the revision in the product title... but yes, we are actively working on improving its interface.

[Scott]

I've got a few suggestions for LCH, one would be sub categories, vague, but specific enough, like for motherboards, have sub categories for the socke and chipset, for graphics cards split them by ati/nvidia/matrox/other, then split that into pci/pci express/agp/isa (were there isa gfx cards?).


I just don't understand the need for the processor section, as far as I know, any x86 cpu will work in linux, along with a ton of cpu's in different architectures, it may confuse new people thinking that their amd 3800+ isn't supported, since it isn't on that list, and frankly, I see no reason for any intel/amd cpu to be in a compatability list, they're all compatable.

--Scott

[Patrick]

Perhaps you could appoint a moderation group to make sure that entries are uniform? And also a way to message people to tell them to add more detailed information? It grew quite quickly though! Looks great.

[Michael]

If the need arises, we will create such a moderation group. In the mean time, if you see any frivolous entries or other problems please email linux [at] phoronix.com

A message/email system is presently being developed.

[niniendowarrior]

I've got a few suggestions for LCH, one would be sub categories, vague, but specific enough, like for motherboards, have sub categories for the socke and chipset, for graphics cards split them by ati/nvidia/matrox/other, then split that into pci/pci express/agp/isa (were there isa gfx cards?).


I just don't understand the need for the processor section, as far as I know, any x86 cpu will work in linux, along with a ton of cpu's in different architectures, it may confuse new people thinking that their amd 3800+ isn't supported, since it isn't on that list, and frankly, I see no reason for any intel/amd cpu to be in a compatability list, they're all compatable.

--Scott

I kind of agree with Scott here.

A good way of organizing the hardware entries in categories will do really great.

Maybe:

1. A way of filtering motherboard entries for PCI-express, agp, onboard sound, onboard video, etc.
2. Breaking motherboard categories into AMD Athlon, Athlon XP, Pentium 2, Pentium 3, Pentium 4, Dual core processors, etc.
3. Maybe divide the categories on graphics cards and have reference links to existing Phoronix benchmarks and articles. Also, benchmark numbers in the LCH might be nice too.
4. Maybe on peripherals, having categories, separating mouse, keyboard, printers, scanners, mp3 players, etc. Then cutting that subcategory to usb, parallel port, firewire? or as needed...

[Michael]

Today some new code has been merged with the live Phoronix LCH site. There are a few tweaks in random locations, and other minor improvements.

One of the new items is on the bottom of the Phoronix LCH home-page. Now listed is a a line "Sort By User Rating: Failed | Poor | Satisfactory | Good | Excellent", and when clicking on one of the values the hardware comments listed in each of those categories will be displayed.

More updates to come soon.

http://www.phoronix.com/lch/