The fact that Linux doesn't have a binary-compatible driver interface is a good thing: It means hardware vendors have a very strong incentive to get their drivers upstream into the kernel.
I think it is a horrible thing and a reason to deter hardware vendors from supporting Linux at all. Even with the best intentions and open source drivers, it adds maintenance burdons to the hardware manufacturers. And some hardware vendors cannot go open source at all, as they might have licensed other code to implement their drivers or have other valid concerns not to open up their drivers entirely, like for IP protection.
I think it is a horrible thing and a reason to deter hardware vendors from supporting Linux at all. Even with the best intentions and open source drivers, it adds maintenance burdons to the hardware manufacturers. And some hardware vendors cannot go open source at all, as they might have licensed other code to implement their drivers or have other valid concerns not to open up their drivers entirely, like for IP protection.