On Mon, 23 Jan 2006, Lee Revell wrote:
On Tue, 2006-01-24 at 02:59 +0200, Sergei Steshenko wrote:
We have already discussed this, here's yet another opinion:
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/01/23/214258 ->
"
This is why we need a kernel api and abi
....
We need a consistant and stable abi's and api's for linux so hardware makers
can release the drivers for linux. Also old solaris drivers work just fine
under solaris10 because of consistant api's and abi's.
I know VIA and several manufactors have requesting to Morton and Linus for this
feature even though it divides then linux community.
".
The Linux developers DO NOT WANT to make it possible to write closed
source drivers. Many consider it a violation of the GPL.
Well, I also think that is a mistake. A Write once would also be far more
stable as far as Linux itself is concerned. If every time the kernel
changes you have to worry whether or not your driver is broken, it makes
for highly unstable drivers, even if they are open source. Furthermore,
Linux is a tool for most of us, not a religion.
Probably the worst violator of the GPL now adays is Redhat (see their
enterprize license and their use of trademarks to limit copying). But I do not
see the developers going after them.
He is also incorrect about wireless, there are plenty of wireless
chipsets with open drivers.
Then why all the closed source firmware? I also recall reading that the FCC
demanded closed source setting of the frequencies to prevent inappropriate
frequency use. Of course I could not find the reference now.
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