linux-kernel - Re: Binary Drivers

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Message-ID: <20061215220117.GA24819@martell.zuzino.mipt.ru>
Date:	Sat, 16 Dec 2006 01:01:17 +0300
From:	Alexey Dobriyan <adobriyan@...il.com>
To:	James Porter <jameslporter@...il.com>
Cc:	linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org
Subject: Re: Binary Drivers

On Fri, Dec 15, 2006 at 09:20:58PM +0000, James Porter wrote:
> I think some kernel developers take to much responsibility, is there a bug in a
> binary driver? Send it upstream and explain to the user that it's a closed
> source driver and is up to said company to fix it.
>
> For what it's worth, I don't see any problem with binary drivers from hardware
> manufacturers.

Binary drivers from hardware manufacturers are crap. Learn it by heart.

> Just because nvidia makes a closed source driver doesn't mean that we can't also
> create an open source driver(limited functionality, reverse engineered,
> etc.,etc.).

We can.

> I firmly believe that the choice should be up to the user and/or
> distro. I'm not a kernel dev, I don't know c...

but you can't.

> but I understand the concepts and
> I should have the right to do what I want with this GPL code.

You don't have a right to do what you want with GNU GPL'ed code.
Read the fucking license, already.

> Restricting me only frustrates me.

Nobody is restricting you.

> Should the default be open source, definitely; should binary
> drivers be blocked from running on a linux kernel...certainly not.

But users of binary drivers should be blocked from sending bug reports
to kernel developers.

> I personally like nvidia's products, they have spent a lot of money in R&D. One
> example is SLI, if their spec was open what would stop ATI from stealing their
> work(patents?, gotta love those).

I lost a nice quote about 10-20% of the community stopping making
excuses for vendors. Sad, sad, nice quote definitely.

> Personally I think nvidia has excellent
> support for linux, I have actually convinced people to use linux(desktop and
> server) just by showing them beryl with the nvidia beta drivers.

beryl on server?

> Lastly I think it's ridiculous to create,diplay, and distribute "Free" as in
> freedom and "Free" as in cost software only to later consider limiting my
> freedom...

Nobody is limiting you.

> want to know why a lot of large companies don't support
> linux...exactly threads like this.

You asked them?

> Why make the effort to use "Free" software
> only to have the rug pulled out from under you. This is what makes the BSDs so
> attractive.

So use BSD.

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