Mr. DisplayLink goes to Linux

HP's recent DisplayLink adapter.

(Credit: HP)

Windows and Mac users have been taking advantage of DisplayLink for the last couple of years. The technology allows users to connect multiple monitors--as well as docking stations and projectors--to a single system via USB only; no need for any fancy-pants graphics cards.

Today, DisplayLink announced it is planning to bring its technology to Linux. The company released a library that enables Linux developers to create X Servers, drivers, and other Linux applications, which will be compatible with products that utilize the DisplayLink technology.

According to Displaylink, the library is provided under the GNU Lesser General Public License v2 (LGPL), which enables software to be ported by the community to cover the widest possible range of processors, platforms, and applications.

This will purportedly enable companies to create products that will work on the full variety of Linux devices, such as Netbooks, notebooks, mobile Internet devices, mobile phones, embedded displays, embedded devices, and digital signage.

So, what does this mean for you? Well, if you use Linux, you'll soon have the capability to connect multiple monitors, docking stations, and projectors to your system. Not the most earth-shattering news, but it's nice to know DisplayLink deems Linux support-worthy.

[amellowguy--2008]

This is great and all, but what I really need for Linux is (1) a smartphone that syncs with Ubuntu perfectly right out of the box, and (2) a replacement for Apple's Time Machine -- brainless incremental backup. Once I have those, I can ditch Apple and the iPhone for good.

[slickuser]

sync with Ubuntu for what? No smartphone vendor is going to invest resources
to make their device/software work with Linux crap.

There are way too many distributions and creating client software that works
on those distributions is pain in the back.

you may have some luck with open source synch clients if one available. for support,
you will all the support for code monkeys and high school kids.

Good luck!

[pentest]

Back in time is nearly as good as Time Machine.

"There are way too many distributions and creating client software that works
on those distributions is pain in the back. "

It is not hard to write client software that runs on any distro. In fact, it takes no additional work. Stop spreading FUD.

"you will all the support for code monkeys and high school kids."

Those "code monkeys" and "high school kids" produce better software than the hacks employed at Microsoft.

[pentest]

I already have the ability to "connect multiple monitors, docking stations, and projectors" to my linux system.

It is nice that HP is supporting Linux more often, but this gadget is hardly a big deal.

It is, not all computers have graphics cards:
http://sven.killig.de/openwrt/slugterm_dl.html