"The PCLinuxOS Hardware Database (HWDB) collects user-submitted reports on the compatibility of various hardware with the PCLinuxOS distribution. Now its founder has announced a plan to begin a hardware certification program for personal computer manufacturers.

The certification team plans to test computer models with the latest version of the distribution and, if it proves compatible, allow the manufacturer to add a "Certified -- Works with PCLinuxOS" label to the computer's packaging. Initially, the team plans to perform certification testing without vendor participation and report results unsolicited to manufacturers."

"Summers believes that Silver certified manufacturers are valuable resources for the expansion of desktop Linux awareness. After testing their products, he plans to contact these manufacturers to notify them of their certification. He hopes that the element of surprise will help them to realize the potential viability of the Linux market. In his words, "They seem to not care. We need to show we care and we're an asset. This is a way of showing, whether you like it or not, your hardware works. You can continue to ignore us or you can take advantage of your already working hardware and next time purposely say, 'We used this chip set because we know it's compatible for our Linux users.'"" -- Read more.

Sounds like a good thing, especially if they will certify only hardware which works with free drivers, but that's required if they expect "out of the box" support.

We have been talking about a hardware database and certification ideas on Libervis.com before. It's good to see they're being realized.