Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 24th Jun 2008 12:07 UTC
A constant thorn in the eye of many Linux kernel developers is the existence of closed-source kernel modules, most notably those by Nvidia and Ati, but also some file system drivers and other elements. Most of the Linux developers have been against these modules ever since they were first used, and in fact, bug reports originating from a tainted kernel are often disregarded and ignored. The kernel developers have now rallied together by issuing a statement urging vendors to release open source Linux kernel modules and drivers.
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Member since:
2006-02-05
The free market is letting market forces decide where the market goes. What the origional poster was talking about is making it illegal to not choose GPL.
I have no problem with linux (been using it on and off for almost 8 years now), or open source (i frequently contribute patches to the open source libraries I use). I think both are fantastic, and it is great to have an alternative eco-system in the software world. I don't even have a problem with legislation around open standards for file formats in governments for publicly owned documents and information.
I have HUGE problems with legislation around making the GPL mandatory, as I believe that it is completely inappropriate for large segments of the industry. Let open source compete on its own merits, those merits are there and they are valuable.
In a free market you vote with your dollar. Send NVidia an email letting them know they lost you as a customer because of how they chose not to release a free version of their driver. If enough people do that, they will open up their source. That is a free market at work.