DouglasN wrote:
> "Open Source" and "Linux Kernel" to me means "I rule this device." 

There are many examples of Linux-powered devices that would not strictly
qualify as "I rule this device": TiVo, various firewalls, other
Linux-powered phones, Linux-powered NAS enclosures, etc. Some have
enough back-doors to allow folk to wrench them open despite the
intentions of the manufacturer. Some don't.

Linux being GPLv2 does not imply that Linux-powered hardware is as open
as Linux itself. And, if you believe Mr. Torvalds, Linux will never mean
that Linux-powered hardware is guaranteed to be as open as Linux itself
-- read his comments regarding GPLv3 for starters.

Open source and Linux do lots of things, but they do not ensure open
hardware -- the T-Mobile G1 is just one example.

-- 
Mark Murphy (a Commons Guy)
http://commonsware.com
_The Busy Coder's Guide to Android Development_ Version 1.9 Available!

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