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That seems like perfect being the enemy of better. The realistic options aren't "stick with current model of closed drivers locked to specific version of open k
by khedoros1 10y ago
That seems like perfect being the enemy of better. The realistic options aren't "stick with current model of closed drivers locked to specific version of open kernel" and "force hardware manufacturers to produce open drivers". That second one isn't going to happen. The best you'll get is an open shim and a closed blob.
- jhasse 10y agoI'd agree if it wasn't Google we are talking about. With the Open Handset Alliance they certainly would have the power to force hardware manufactures to produce open drivers.
- khedoros1 10y agoI agree that they'd have the power to do it. I don't think they have the motivation, though. It's a clear win for the customers, but a lot of work on their part that I don't think would translate directly to numbers on earnings reports.
- dTal 10y agoIt's a retreat. It could have happened. The ground was ceded when closed source drivers were allowed to be willy-nilly linked into the kernel with impunity, a clear GPL violation. The Free Software initiative requires bravery and confidence. The idea is that if you establish a large enough base of viral software, people will eventually have no choice but to become a part, or be put at great disadvantage. And it worked. Linux is everywhere. The only places it didn't work, are the places we were too cowardly to press the advantage. Stallman was right. You cannot compromise. Once you start paying the Dane-geld, you'll never get rid of the Dane.