Dean
On Sat, 27 Sep 1997, Jeffrey B. Siegal wrote:
> At least for Linux/MIPS a significant fraction of the people
> interested
> in using it for new hardware want Linux for their embedded
> systems of
> various types. For the embedded market the price/performance
> ratio is
> very important and that's exactly the point where nothing can
> outperform
> Free Software.
>
> FSF-style Free Software (Linux included) carries an unacceptable cost
> for most embedded systems: the need to distribute source. No one wants
> to distribute source code for the embedded control system for every
> device they manufacture and distribute (think microwave ovens, cars,
> elevators, VCRs, etc.).
>
> Its not that its a secret, its just that its a pain in the ass.
>
> I discussed making an exception for this case with RMS several years
> ago, and although he didn't object to it philosophically, no one was
> willing to invest the necessary effort to properly draft the appropriate
> language for the GPL.
>
>
>
>