add blog post for hardware team

blog-post-hardware-team.md

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+---
+title: "Calling All Hardware Vendors: Partner with the NixOS Hardware Team"
+date: 2025-01-21
+author: "Jörg Thalheim"
+---
+
+_An open invitation to hardware manufacturers: Let's make your hardware shine on NixOS._
+
+If you're a hardware vendor reading this, we have a simple message: we want to work with you.
+The NixOS Hardware Team is actively seeking partnerships with manufacturers who want their hardware to work flawlessly on NixOS.
+Here's why you should care and how we can help each other.
+
+## Who We Are
+
+The NixOS Hardware Team maintains the [nixos-hardware repository](https://github.com/NixOS/nixos-hardware),
+a comprehensive collection of hardware-specific configurations that make devices work optimally with NixOS.
+
+Our team consists of:
+
+- **Jörg Thalheim (Mic92)** - Lead Maintainer
+- **Sebastian Kraus (ra33it0)** - Partnership Liaison (also on the NixOS Foundation Board)
+- **RossComputerGuy** - Core Team Member
+
+We've already created configurations for hundreds of devices, from laptops and desktops to single-board computers and enterprise servers with the help of the community.
+But we know we can do better—with your help.
+
+## Why Partner With Us?
+
+### Your Customers Are Already Using NixOS
+NixOS users are developers, system administrators, DevOps engineers, and tech enthusiasts.
+When they buy hardware, they expect it to work with their operating system of choice.
+Currently, they're cobbling together configurations from forum posts and GitHub issues.
+We can do better than that.
+
+### Simplify Your Linux Support
+Instead of maintaining lengthy distribution-specific guides, you can point NixOS users to a single hardware profile:
+
+```nix
+{
+  imports = [
+    <nixos-hardware/your-company/your-device>
+  ];
+}
+```
+
+That's it. No more "edit this file, add these kernel parameters, install these drivers, sacrifice a goat under the full moon."
+
+### Reduce Support Tickets
+Every user who can't get their hardware working generates a support ticket.
+By ensuring your hardware has excellent NixOS support, you reduce your support burden while improving customer satisfaction.
+
+### Gain Visibility
+We showcase our hardware partners at NixCon, in our documentation, and throughout the NixOS community.
+Your commitment to open-source support doesn't go unnoticed.
+
+## What We Need From You
+
+### 1. Communication
+Reach out to us at **hardware@nixos.org**. Tell us about your hardware and what specific support challenges you're facing with NixOS users.
+
+### 2. Hardware Access (Optional but Helpful)
+While not always necessary, having access to hardware helps us create and test configurations.
+Some partners send us devices, others provide remote access, and some simply share detailed specifications.
+
+### 3. Technical Information
+Share any Linux-specific quirks, required firmware, or special configurations your hardware needs.
+If you already have patches or know about specific issues, let us know.
+
+### 4. Ongoing Collaboration
+The best partnerships are ongoing.
+Establish a dedicated point of contact on your team who we can work with directly.
+Having a two-way communication channel ensures we can quickly address issues, share updates, and coordinate on new releases.
+When you release new hardware or update firmware, give us a heads up so we can ensure continued compatibility.
+
+## What You Get
+
+### Professional Hardware Profiles
+We create and maintain high-quality configurations that handle:
+- Kernel parameters and modules
+- Firmware requirements
+- Power management optimizations
+- Display and graphics settings
+- Audio configurations
+- Device-specific quirks
+
+### Community Maintenance
+Once a profile is in nixos-hardware, the entire NixOS community helps maintain it. Users report issues, submit improvements, and test new kernel versions.
+
+### Documentation
+We help simplify your NixOS installation guides to a single line pointing to the hardware profile.
+
+### Testing and Feedback
+Our community provides real-world testing and feedback that can inform your Linux driver development and hardware design.
+
+## Success Stories in Progress
+
+We're already working with several hardware vendors who recognize the value of first-class NixOS support.
+These partnerships have resulted in better hardware support, fewer support tickets, and happier customers on both sides.
+
+Companies have reached out to us for everything from fixing sensor rotation on laptops to optimizing power management on new CPU architectures.
+Each collaboration makes NixOS better for everyone.
+
+## How to Get Started
+
+1. **Email us** at hardware@nixos.org
+2. **Join our Matrix channel** at #nixos-hardware:nixos.org
+3. **Attend our community meetings** (3rd Friday each month at 17:00 UTC on https://jitsi.lassul.us/Hardware-team)
+4. **Check out our existing work** at [github.com/NixOS/nixos-hardware](https://github.com/NixOS/nixos-hardware)
+
+## The Bottom Line
+
+Your hardware deserves to work brilliantly on every operating system, including NixOS. Our users deserve hardware that works out of the box.
+Let's make both happen.
+
+In return, you get reduced support burden, increased visibility in a technical community, and the satisfaction of supporting open source.
+
+Ready to ensure your hardware just works on NixOS? Let's talk.
+
+---
+
+*Contact the NixOS Hardware Team at hardware@nixos.org or find us on Matrix at #nixos-hardware:nixos.org*