Re: WDC WD15EARS-00Z5B1: harddrive which does crazy unloading

[Stan Hoeppner <stan@hardwarefreak.com>]

I meant this to go to the list instead of just Mark but my T-Bird
reply-to-list function apparently didn't cooperate.

Stan Hoeppner put forth on 3/22/2010 9:40 PM:
> Mark Lord put forth on 3/22/2010 8:34 PM:
>> On 18/03/10 10:26 PM, Tejun Heo wrote:
>> ,I think we really need some clarification from WDC at this
>>> point.  I'm sure WDC wouldn't want Linux distros to go ahead and
>>> disable powersaving feature unconditionally, so please let us know.
>> ..
>>
>> WD is already *VERY CLEAR* on their own web site:  they don't support,
>> and are not in the slightest bit interested in, Linux.
>>
>> Mac OS, yes.  Windows, yes.
>> Linux, NO.
>>
>> So.. do your part, and don't buy them.
>> And don't recommend them for any of your customers,
>> enterprise or otherwise.
>>
>> Otherwise they have no incentive to come to their senses.
> 
> Their support for OSX is spotty in places as well, so it's not just Linux
> getting the proverbial shaft.
> 
> Unfortunately I think your logic here is backwards.  WD's current end user
> support policy is based on the fact that they receive so few Linux support
> requests.  Thus they deem it not worth their time to expend resources ($$)
> supporting Linux.  To get them to support Linux they need to see much more
> Linux support demand.  Increased demand is the only thing that will reverse
> their current Linux end user support policy.
> 
> That being said, is their direct support to Linux _developers_ just as poor
> as with end users?  If so, that's cause for alarm.
> 
> However, again, giving them the bird and not buying their products won't
> phase them at all due to the overall shipment numbers.  They ship a few
> hundred million drives a year world wide, and I'd make a somewhat educated
> guess that far less than 1% are used in Linux systems.
> 
> Mechanical storage is a very cut throat business.  WD has no penetration in
> the enterprise market, and thus no enterprise profits to offset losses in
> its consumer segment.  Seagate, Hitachi, and Fujitsu all do.  They can
> afford to support Linux in the desktop space because they have to support it
> in their enterprise space.  WD has to use their support $$ where it best
> affects the bottom line.  They're simply making a business decision.  I'm
> sure it's not a philosophical issue.  I'm sure they have many Linux servers
> and probably many Linux workstations within their own company.
> 
> I'm not necessarily defending WD here, just stating the likely reality of
> the situation.  The only way to change this situation is for more Linux
> users to buy more WD drives.  That may seem counter intuitive to you, but
> that's reality.
>