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Kernel Developers Want Linux Purity

Linux Kernel Developers Signed A "Position Statement" Decrying the Use of Any Closed Source Kernel in Linux
By Maureen O'Gara
Article Rating:
July 1, 2008 01:45 PM EDT
Reads:
 6,910

Not that long ago Linux barely had two drivers to rub together.

Now it claims to support “more hardware devices than any other operating system in the history of the world” and, figuring it’s time to push IHVs to open their code, 150 Linux kernel developers, including Alan Cox, signed a “Position Statement” decrying the use of any closed source kernel module or drivers in Linux.

They say they’re “harmful and undesirable” and “detrimental to Linux users, businesses and the greater Linux ecosystem.” They say proprietary drivers are obsolete and non-optimal interfaces that tend to be buggy and make the OS less reliable and secure, even crashing it.

Linus Torvalds, the head kernel developer, did not sign the statement though it was circulated by his employer, the Linux Foundation.

Published July 1, 2008 – Reads 6,910
Copyright © 2008 SYS-CON Media, Inc. — All Rights Reserved.
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More Stories By Maureen O'Gara

Maureen O'Gara the most read technology reporter for the past 20 years, is the Cloud Computing and Virtualization News Desk editor of SYS-CON Media. She is the publisher of famous "Billygrams" and the editor-in-chief of "Client/Server News" for more than a decade. One of the most respected technology reporters in the business, Maureen can be reached by email at maureen(at)sys-con.com or paperboy(at)g2news.com, and by phone at 516 759-7025. Twitter: @MaureenOGara

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