linux-kernel - Re: Closed source userspace graphics drivers with an open source kernel component

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Message-ID: <4C2D70F0.7090100@symas.com>
Date:	Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:54:08 -0700
From:	Howard Chu <hyc@...as.com>
To:	Piotr Gluszenia Slawinski <curious@...190.internetdsl.tpnet.pl>
CC:	Dave Airlie <airlied@...hat.com>,
	Timothy Meade <zt.tmzt@...il.com>,
	linux-arm-msm@...r.kernel.org,
	Saravana Kannan <skannan@...eaurora.org>,
	LKML <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>,
	dri-devel <dri-devel@...ts.freedesktop.org>
Subject: Re: Closed source userspace graphics drivers with an open source
  kernel component

Piotr Gluszenia Slawinski wrote:
>> There is no point supporting companies that give you a little bit of
>> information in exchange they want the support that being in a mainline
>> kernel gives. Its an unfair exchange of knowledge and time, and if they
>> claim they have to make a profit then its even more unfair.
>
> also, they seem to do it quite wrong way. i.e. much simpler would be to
> just implement regular, open driver , and implement additional crypto
> mechanism in chipset itself, allowing to use simple userspace program
> sending certified keys allowing GPU to operate.
> if key is not available and device/driver not paid/registered, then
> GPU would simply lock itself , similiar to pre-paid designs from
> company whose name should not be spoken aloud.
>
> also certain functionality could be ordered with same chip structure,
> i.e. framebuffer, unaccelerated 2d, accel 2d, 3d, etc.
> with user buying proper 'entry level' pre-paid code set from manufacturer.
>
> this would provide quite same functionality (profit), without impacting
> open-source projects like Xorg with unnessesary complications.

Pardon me for intruding in this discussion, but I'm astonished that you 
actually find what you posted to be acceptable. If I pay for a piece of 
hardware, I have the right to use it. Requiring certified keys before it 
performs the function for which it was purchased is pure nonsense.

-- 
   -- Howard Chu
   CTO, Symas Corp.           http://www.symas.com
   Director, Highland Sun     http://highlandsun.com/hyc/
   Chief Architect, OpenLDAP  http://www.openldap.org/project/
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