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George Ellison (undercover) <notamisfit@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
>
> Roy Schestowitz wrote:
>> __/ [ Mark Kent ] on Tuesday 01 August 2006 16:18 \__
>>
>> > begin oe_protect.scr
>> > Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
>> >> Novell bans proprietary Linux modules
>> >>
>> >> ,----[ Quote ]
>> >>| In a change of heart, Novell has ceased distributing proprietary
>> >>| software modules such as 3D video drivers that plug into the Linux
>> >>| kernel.
>> >> `----
>> >>
>> >>
>> http://news.com.com/2100-7344_3-6100659.html?part=rss&tag=6100659&subj=news
>> >
>> > Ummm, interesting - no nVidia drivers, then, I expect? Wonder why
>> > they've changed viewpoint?
>>
>> I'd venture to guess that some suits (and Linus) will not be happy about
>> this.
>
> Doubt it as far as Linus. He's gone on record calling makers of binary
> modules "leeches." He sees no need to stop them, but judging by the
> nVidia driver's perfomance on later kernels, no need to make their
> lives easy either.
>
> But it might put more pressure on software and hardware vendors, which
>> is good. That said, other distros will have to follow suit. Novell risk
>> staying behind while /even/ Ubuntu moved towards inclusion of proprietary
>> software (Opera) in the repositories.
>
> Ubuntu's hanging on the cusp of a GPL violation by distributing the
> nVidia kernel module in a binary form. (as opposed to the usual GPL'd
> kernel glue/binary blob layer that nVidia puts out). I don't mind
> the inclusion of non-free stuff like Opera because I'm under no
> pressure at all to use it. The more people there are using the binary
> nVidia driver, the less incentive there is to RE/get source.
>
I think holding out for the source is the right thing to do. I don't
particularly want to be left with obsolescent hardware in short order
because I can't get the combination of kernel/driver/binary/apps which I
need. This would be no different to the present Windows world, which is
what I'm truly keen to depart!
--
| Mark Kent -- mark at ellandroad dot demon dot co dot uk |
When I works, I works hard.
When I sits, I sits easy.
And when I thinks, I goes to sleep.
|
|
