Checking a hardware component for compatibility with your OS

for component in components:
        google for component and linux
        if results look promising:
                buy component
        else:
                if you really prefer that component:
                        post on a relevant linux mailing list about compat
                        if results look promising:
                                buy component
                        else:
                                pick another component
                else:
                        pick another component

Another option, one I exercise often now, is to go with a vendor that
sells freebsd preinstalled on your system, and will actually -support-
it if there's a problem.