Haikuware's Latest News

I think it's pretty well known by those who use computers daily that they should seek alternatives to Internet Explorer. Now, even the German Government advises seeking alternatives to the Internet Explorer web browser! When a government gets behind a statement like they did, it's pretty serious, and I'm glad they did it.

I only mention it here because a fair percentage of people visiting this website still use Internet Explorer. So, in case it isn't clear enough, use something else! (preferably something open source) like FireFox, Google Chrome.

Thankfully, Haiku users will never have to worry about this issue :-D

After a poll with 90 votes revealed that 82/90 would contribute to a Wifi Encryption Bounty for the Haiku OS, I've decided to start accepting donations towards this new program.

Hopefully we can get another great developer like Colin that can build upon the success of the Wireless Networking Stack (I've spoken with Colin, and he may be interested in taking this on, but wouldn't be available until April)!

That said, it's open to any developer. I'm hoping that we see an average of $20/donation from those 82 people that voted in the poll - that will set us well on our way to the bounty goal of $2000. I'm contibuting the first $100 today :)

Haikuware has been collecting funds and distributing bounty money to Haiku developers since July 2007. As of Jan. 2010, we've awarded close to $6500 to developers bringing us to probably the second highest public financial contributing organiztion to the Haiku OS and community (after Google).

Successful programs included:

• An early version of Haiku's SATA driver.
• Partial completion of the WebKit port.
• Bluetooth Stack
• Gnash (Flash support)
• Wifi Bounty Stack
• 14 Thank You Awards

For more info see 'Prior Bounties'.

Colin writes up a summary of his work on Haiku's Wifi Stack and our bounty's guidelines in his blog. He also talks about the future of the project, and the possibility of support for encrypted networks within a year :)

Colin went beyond the bounty's guidelines. He finished it early, and not only made all the drivers compile, but execute as well. The following is a list of all the drivers supported:

• aironetwifi supporting at least
  • Cisco Aironet 350 Series
  • Aironet PCI4500
  • Aironet PCI4800
• atheroswifi supporting almost every chipset outthere (though no AR9285 chips)
• broadcom43xx supporting
  • BCM4301, BCM4306, BCM4307, BCM4309, BCM4311, BCM4312 and BCM4318
• iprowifi2100 supporting the 2100 chips
• iprowifi2200 supporting
  • 2200BG
  • 2225BG
  • 2915ABG
• iprowifi3945 supporting the 3945 chips
• iprowifi4965 supporting the 4965 chips
• marvell88w8335 supporting
  • Marvell Libertas 88W8310
  • Marvell Libertas 88W8335
• marvell88w8363 supporting the 88W8363 chips
• ralinkwifi supporting
  • RT2560
  • RT2561S
  • RT2561
  • RT2661
• wavelanwifi supporting at least
  • 3Com Airconnect
  • GLPRISM2 WaveLAN
  • Intersil Prism3
  • Intersil Prism2.5
  • Linksys WDT11
  • Netgear MA301
  • PRISM2STA WaveLAN
  • Siemens SpeedStream
  • SMC 2602W
  • Us Robotics 2415
  • Addtron AWA-100 PCI

An interesting read...

Also, he has submitted an easy to install Intel (1000, 5000 & 6000 series) wireless driver with firmware here (no encryption).

On be half of the Haiku community, and bounty program, I'd like to thank Colin for his work, timely and fulfilled execution of the bounty, and general professionalism. It was a pleasure seeing this follow through.

Thanks!

We've had several donations to the Thank You Award fund, and it now sits at over 100% of the goal, so we'll have enough to see 2010 through (unless of course teams or groups win the award and multiple shirts have to be given). In any case, thanks to all the contributors, previous participants and voters! Looking forward to 2010.