On 14 Dec 2006, at 20:33, Pat wrote: > On 14/12/06, alan c <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Non-GPL Linux Kernel Modules Banned Starting January 2008 > ... >> >> I note Linus' response which I find a bit reassuring, but I do hope >> the more 'common' end of common sense can prevail, particularly in >> ubuntu! >> -- >> > > I'm in two minds about this issue. > > ... Snip ... >
Me too, that's quite a tough one but I think I am favouring Linus' (and Ubuntu's) way of looking at it. Some parts of the system are free and open (GPL) because people put in the time and effort to write and maintain those parts. Others are not free because companies have spent millions developing XYZ and they want to earn some cash back! Currently I can install Ubuntu using the default settings, and get only software that comes under GPL. Or, I can enable universe and multiverse and get software that does not quite fit that mould... It's my choice. I can also see there is a potential problem on the legal side of things for companies like SUSE (Novell), since it could possibly leave them short if they ever had to uphold their licence in a legal case. However, on the other hand if the likes if ATI/nVidia do not release GPL versions of their drivers then linux will fail! Who is going to install an operating system onto their machine if it can't even drive a gfx card to it's full potential? Paul (aka. Gargoyle) -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/