linux-kernel - Re: GPL vs non-GPL device drivers

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Message-id: <45D4ED62.9080702@shaw.ca>
Date:	Thu, 15 Feb 2007 17:31:46 -0600
From:	Robert Hancock <hancockr@...w.ca>
To:	"linux-os (Dick Johnson)" <linux-os@...logic.com>,
	linux-kernel <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>
Cc:	Manu Abraham <abraham.manu@...il.com>
Subject: Re: GPL vs non-GPL device drivers

linux-os (Dick Johnson) wrote:
> There are a lot of device drivers that will never make it into the
> mainline kernel because they are for one-of-a-kind devices or boards
> that companies embed into their products. Nobody would even want a
> copy of the software to interface with something that they would
> never even have. When Version 2.6 started, it became necessary to
> use special tools and procedures to compile a module that was not
> inside the mainline kernel. However, it was still quite easy. Recently,
> somebody, apparently with an advanced degree in obfuscation, has made
> that more difficult. This is abuse, pure and simple. That, in my
> opinion, is one of the major reasons why people who use Linux in
> embedded systems end up using very old versions.

What are you talking about? There's nothing wrong with external module 
compilation in current kernels. You need about a 5-line makefile that 
calls the kernel build system, and it works fine.

-- 
Robert Hancock      Saskatoon, SK, Canada
To email, remove "nospam" from hancockr@...pamshaw.ca
Home Page: http://www.roberthancock.com/

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