# Port Linux Driver to Unix **URL:** \ **Category:** Linux\ **Created:** [November 27, 2007, 6:58pm UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/port-linux-driver-to-unix/178185 "2007-11-27T18:58:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ghost1](https://community.unix.com/letter_avatar/ghost1/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@ghost1](https://community.unix.com/u/ghost1)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 6:58pm UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/port-linux-driver-to-unix/178185/1 "2007-11-27T18:58:43Z")
I looking for someone who can help me port a Linux Driver to a OpenBSD( OS X ) Unix Driver. The driver is for a Logic Controls LD9000 USB Customer Display. The currently don't have a driver for the mac operating system, but they do however have one for the Linux OS. So, I am just trying to find out if this is possible. If someone can help port it over so it uses the modem/printer port of the usb side in unix. I need it to operate with a POS system that already supports the customer display. On the POS system i can specify to used either modem or printer port for the serial end. I wouldn't know where to start.😕😕 Thanks in advance. -ghost ---
**Author:** ![idle](https://community.unix.com/letter_avatar/idle/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@idle](https://community.unix.com/u/idle)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 10:44pm UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/port-linux-driver-to-unix/178185/2 "2007-11-28T22:44:53Z")
1. The OS-X kernel is based on NetBSD. 2. Is this for an Intel Mac or a PowerPC Mac? 3. Could you explain what "the modem/printer port of the usb side in unix" means? 4. Do you have the source code for the Linux version, or just the binary driver? 5. Are you allowed to port their Intellectual Property to another OS? Will they own it if you do? 6. Have you ever done any programming? Writing a device driver is not something I'd recommend as a first project. ---
**Author:** ![ghost1](https://community.unix.com/letter_avatar/ghost1/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@ghost1](https://community.unix.com/u/ghost1)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 11:24am UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/port-linux-driver-to-unix/178185/3 "2007-11-29T11:24:53Z")
> [@idle](#): > > 1. The OS-X kernel is based on NetBSD. > > 2. Is this for an Intel Mac or a PowerPC Mac? > > 3. Could you explain what "the modem/printer port of the usb side in unix" means? > > 4. Do you have the source code for the Linux version, or just the binary driver? > > 5. Are you allowed to port their Intellectual Property to another OS? Will they own it if you do? > > 6. Have you ever done any programming? Writing a device driver is not something I'd recommend as a first project. First off, Thanks for the help. This is a intel based computer and the device i'm trying to control is a added peripheral on a Elo Touch Monitor. The POS System i'm using is asking for either a modem or Printer Port for the pole display. Which would be this device i'm trying to connect. I've was on the phone yesterday with the company trying to get the source code but they can't release soft code out to customers. So all i really have is the Linux installers and data that came with it. I told them i would give them the driver when i was done porting it for unix but after hearing a few chinese words from them they still wouldn't give me the soft code. So I'm guessing they don't care. I just need it for my two POS System. After I'm complete i will e-mail it to them, if they want it, they can have it. I have never done any programming but i'm a quick learner and i have xcode i'm my side along with x11.🙂 -ghost ---
**Author:** ![idle](https://community.unix.com/letter_avatar/idle/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@idle](https://community.unix.com/u/idle)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/port-linux-driver-to-unix/178185/4 "2007-11-29T15:29:59Z")
> [@](#): > > trying to get the source code but they can't release soft code out to customers. If you don't have the source code, then you will have to do one of two things: 1) disassemble their source code 2) try and "emulate" its functionality either way, once you've written it and handed it over, the best thing that will happen is that they will then profit from your work and will not give you a cent, the worst that will happen is that they will sue you for disassembling their code. If you try to emulate their functionality, then there's bound to be something you miss. Moreso if you've never programmed before. Not to shatter your dreams of being a prospective driver writer, but this is not a project I recommend you pop your cherry on. Look at it this way: you are going to spend the next year of your life learning to program and emulating the functionality of a driver, for which you will have to do extensive testing, debugging and fault fixing. Even then, you may still find serious bugs years later for something critical and on top of that you will have spent a year on something that has no support whatsoever. What would your annual salary be if you were a junior programmer? Would it be cheaper to just buy a cheap PC, install Linux on it, and just run their software? ---
**Author:** ![ghost1](https://community.unix.com/letter_avatar/ghost1/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@ghost1](https://community.unix.com/u/ghost1)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 6:17pm UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/port-linux-driver-to-unix/178185/5 "2007-11-29T18:17:51Z")
> [@idle](#): > > What would your annual salary be if you were a junior programmer? Would it be cheaper to just buy a cheap PC, install Linux on it, and just run their software? What about the use of X11 in Mac OS X? ---
**Author:** ![porter](https://community.unix.com/letter_avatar/porter/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@porter](https://community.unix.com/u/porter)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 6:32pm UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/port-linux-driver-to-unix/178185/6 "2007-11-29T18:32:11Z")
> [@ghost1](#): > > I need it to operate with a POS system that already supports the customer display. What do you want running on what? You managed to mention OpenBSD, Linux and OS X. If the POS system already supports the device then why do you need a driver? What is the POS system? What is it running on? How does it expect to talk to the display? ---
**Author:** ![ghost1](https://community.unix.com/letter_avatar/ghost1/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@ghost1](https://community.unix.com/u/ghost1)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/port-linux-driver-to-unix/178185/7 "2007-11-29T19:45:43Z")
> [@porter](#): > > What do you want running on what? You managed to mention OpenBSD, Linux and OS X. > > If the POS system already supports the device then why do you need a driver? > > What is the POS system? What is it running on? How does it expect to talk to the display? I'm running on Mac OS X 10.4.11 The driver is made for a Linux box. The pos software supports the product but as a serial product not USB, which this device is. This software will be running on a Mac OS X box. I was hoping the driver i'm trying to port will communicate with the pos software and the customer display via USB port. Only reason why i'm not purchasing a Pole display via serial is because this elo touch monitor has one built in on the back of it. ---
**Author:** ![porter](https://community.unix.com/letter_avatar/porter/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@porter](https://community.unix.com/u/porter)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/port-linux-driver-to-unix/178185/8 "2007-11-29T19:57:48Z")
So when you plug the USB connector from the display into a USB connector on the Mac what does it do? Does the Mac identify it somehow? Have you tried any of the "USB to Serial" drivers? ---
**Author:** ![ghost1](https://community.unix.com/letter_avatar/ghost1/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@ghost1](https://community.unix.com/u/ghost1)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2007, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/port-linux-driver-to-unix/178185/9 "2007-11-30T18:03:13Z")
> [@porter](#): > > So when you plug the USB connector from the display into a USB connector on the Mac what does it do? Does the Mac identify it somehow? > > Have you tried any of the "USB to Serial" drivers? The customer Display is attached to the Elo Touch Monitor. So there is only one USB Port coming out of the Monitor to control the monitor's touch screen and the peripheral. If i go to apple's about this mac. It shows it under the General Purpose USB Hub. It says "Line Display LD9000" So it registers under the usb tree. but i don't have a driver to control the display.