Re: Idea: Automatic binary driver compiling system

From: Benjamin Bach
Date: Sat Mar 18 2006 - 10:01:00 EST


Lee Revell wrote:
Then let's end the thread here because this is the crux of ther issue -
no one WANTS it to be easier for vendors to ship binary drivers.

Linux will not change to accomodate vendors desire for binary drivers.
The vendors must adapt to Linux. End of story.
I see two pictures:

1) Open source does not accommodate binary drivers. In that way hardware support is weakened but an increasing number of companies should adopt open source drivers because demand increases even without super-duper hardware support.

2) Open source does in fact accommodate binary drivers because some idiot (me) just took the liberty of starting this project just to see what happens. It's exactly the same as when some people go and fork a project and everybody says it'll weaken the movement. But something could happen: It could be beneficial! Linux get's better hardware support, more people adopt it and business begins to realize that maybe they should try to co-operate a bit more software-wise. That's what we all want them to do, yes?

As of now Linux won't force vendors into creating open source drivers. That'd be like a small dog barking.

I here every word when people talk about the benefits of open source drivers. But really, think: If all these benefits why isn't there anymore open source drivers? And the answer is not "because companies are stupid". If we can't make it attractive enough to release driver source code then maybe the world just isn't matured yet. And we'll wait. But while waiting I want my 3d card to perform better and my mp3-player to work.

...

Bugga, here we went and turned it into opinions =)



/ Benjamin
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