[wellylug] Linux as selling point.

[Martin Baehr]

On Fri, Aug 12, 2005 at 11:49:43PM +1200, David Murray wrote:
> In one instance you buy a gadget which has software that you cannot
> easily copy, or remove, or modify (other than perhaps updating to a
> newer version of the software as supplied by the manufacturer) without
> physically damaging the gadget.

how is that relevant how easy it is? the fact that it is possible at all
is all that matters. one point of the GPL is that it allows you to avoid
lock in, so if the manufacturer can update, then anybody can.

in fact, linux based routers are like this!
you can not easely copy, or remove, or modify the firmware, other than
updating to a newer version of the software as supplied by the
manufacturer.

linksys and other manufacturers were forced to release their source of
the linux kernel.

while it is now possible to install openwrt, this is only possible
since after linksys was forced to release the source. and yet, now that
the source is there installing openwrt is still not for the faint
of heart. you have to hack into the running firmware to change a setting
before you can risk upgrading, otherwise you risk turning the router
into a brick.

so there you have it, a device not designed to play around with, does
not give you an excuse to keep the source to yourself.

greetings, martin.
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