[cfgeeks] "ban" binary modules in 2008? W-T-Hhhh!

[syberghost]

On 12/15/06, Kevin Korb <kmk at sanitarium.net> wrote:
>
> Getting rid of binary modules will be up to us users not the kernel
> devs.  Allowing binary modules means more supoprted hardware to them.
> Only us becoming non customers of the hardware manufacturers will get
> rid of the binary modules.

I found Linus' argument particularly compelling.  Summarized, it was basically:

1) Get rid of binary drivers, and the hardware makers who want to
continue to support Linux with proprietary drivers will write open
source stubs for proprietary userspace drivers, decreasing system
stability.

2) The only way to prevent #1 is by using legal means that essentially
involve arguing against Fair Use.

3) The place to initiate this, if you really want to do it, is in the
distributions; the first step should be getting every major
distribution to include patches that do it first, THEN talk about
moving those patches upstream to the base kernel.  If the major
distributions aren't interested, then go find something better to
expend your energy on than tilting this windmill.