[wellylug] Linux as selling point.

[David Murray]

On Sat, 2005-08-13 at 01:34, Martin Baehr wrote:
> 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 updating to a newer version of the software as supplied by the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.

Granted, but, as I have said, what if all you did was download a
stock-standard copy of the source code from the developer of that source
code, and then compile it, and then embed the results into a gadget, and
sell copies of that gadget?

Even better - what if you downloaded a binary from the developers
website and embedded *that* binary into your gadget and sold copies of
*that* gadget?

In that case you've not even seen the original source code.

What is the difference between a manufacturer *using* Open Source
software embedded within a hardware device to make its device work, and,
for example, RedHat taking somebody else's software, and distributing it
further for other persons to use as they wish?

I am, of course, discussing the usage or distribution of unmodified
software.


Regards,

David Murray

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