Linux is no longer Free software
December 14, 2006The bottom line of all this is that there are three groups:
1) the group that wants to ban non-GPL modules (by creating a patch that prevents them from running);
2) the group that thinks they should be allowed;
3) a group that is too pussy to actually make up their minds (Linus).
1 is bad because they limit the USE of the software, which falls BEYOND the scope of the GPL, which is a DISTRIBUTION license, and NOT an end-user license agreement. Were this patch to find its way into the vanilla Linux kernel, Linux ITSELF is not longer complying with the GPL, and hence is no longer Free software, because a restriction upon use is put in place.
3 is bad because it creates uncertainty. This is not necessarily bad for home usage, but it IS bad for companies. They REQUIRE legal certainty.
2 is the only possible way to go. Non-GPL modules should be allowed because it is a right of the USER to use them. If I want to run closed-source drivers on MY damn computer I should be allowed to. NO WAY that a bunch of Linux nerds can prevent me of that.
If this patch gets through, Linux is no longer Free software, and hence one of the prime reasons to actually use this piece of software becomes void.
Linux | 
After going through the messages in the mailing list, it looks like Linus won’t be doing this. So I don’t believe we have to worry.
Comment by John S. — December 14, 2006 @ 9:49 pm
ALERT !!! ALERT !!! ALERT !!! , Linux is no longer Free Software !!!
What is happening ? there is a discussion on the Linux kernel mailing list and a patch offered to remove non compatible GPL module from the kernel … You know the illegal stuff that is tolerated out of conveniance because well its actually CLOSED and no one realy know what it does.
We cannot have that !!! Open Source to the rescue !!!
Hi , my Name is Linus Torvald , you may remember me as the guy who invented the Linux kernel , made it availaible under the Linus Torvalds License [b]wich does not work and no one sane actually use , not even its creator[/b] as that license was just insane and when I gave up , made it availaible under the GPL and then everyone started improving and working on it , I am also the guy who showed everyone that they where right by saying that company who dont give you free software will change there mind and the deal we have , you know the Bitkeeper history not story , history as it really happened in the past and is not made up.
LT : its just insane ! You know Free Software will just Kill GNU/Linux and the Linux kernel , we cannot have that in the kernel , I whont include it in the kernel ! ( Reality check in case you dont know GNU/Linux and the Linux kernel is 95% Free software , there the one who made it a relaity , funded it and its infratructure when no one else did ).
Linux kernel developper : Well I guess I need to remove my new patch.
Other Linux kernel devlopper : we probably should remove the other code who whas there for decades but not activated for decade for those who whant a real Free System …
Pundit and liar traitor and thief : PArty Time !!! Whouhouuu , lets celebrate our good times !!!
Idiot news reporter : Today a big threat was averted in the Linux kernel that nobody care and use according to Microsoft and Apple.
Other Idiot News reporter : Looks like Linus Torvald saved the day again !!!
FSF And GNU/Linux and Linux contributor under the GPL : Watch as the Open Source morons and pundits who do nothing run around crying and making noise like chickens without heads …
GNU/Linux maker turn to FSF advocate and say : we will get blamed and insulted for that one too , answer : OH! Yes …
What do we do ? keep making Free Software GPL and the best it can be , without funding , witout spec , without support , without respect. The usual in other words.
—–
Freedom is when I let others take way my freedom for there own gain with my permission … Wait that’ s not it …
Only when compromise will overtake and replace all the GPL in majority in the Linux kernel and GNU/Linux OS will it be not free software anymore.
Luckily for you , It aint going to happen.
Comment by Moulinneuf — December 15, 2006 @ 1:50 pm
O…k.
And now in normal English? It’s like your tongue is flapping freely in your mouth, try to articulate… Repeat after me: the witches switch watches, the witches switch watches, the witches switch watches…
Comment by Administrator — December 15, 2006 @ 7:29 pm
“Repeat after me: the witches switch watches, the witches switch watches, the witches switch watches… ”
the witches switch watches, the witches switch watches, the witches switch watches…( I got copy paste , so its no problem for me to paste it , but It dont make you more knowledgeable or more inteligent and serve actually no purpose at all. )
If English was your only problem it would be easily solved by you taking classes and learn its proper usage and diferentiations. Anyone who actually as a proper understanding of english know it as a dialect or slang with many different variation based on its place of origins and learning. But I doubt understanding English is your real problem.
Bespottend ander u dont begrijp en richt daar niet maakt hen dom
Comment by Moulinneuf — December 15, 2006 @ 9:14 pm
Btw what as :
The OpenVMS Hobbyist Licensing Program
to do with your Blog post ?
Comment by Moulinneuf — December 15, 2006 @ 9:32 pm
I study English at university, so don’t lecture me here, boy. And yes, that means I learn RP, and not American English.
Your post was complete gibberish; there’s no structure, no coherency, no sense. I refuse to decipher the message; I’ve got more important matters to attend to. There’s three languages I tolerate on this blog, Dutch, English, and German. Your post was written in neither of these, and hence it’s actually spam.
Comment by Administrator — December 15, 2006 @ 9:33 pm
“I study English at university”
I guess your going to need a lot more classes …
“so don’t lecture me here, boy”
If I was lecturing you , child , we would be in a class , not on your blog.
“that means I learn RP, and not American English.”
As I said English is not the problem. I learned CANADIAN , so if your translator is set on American english , its propably going to be giberish …
“Your post was complete gibberish”
No , its actually history told simpson style :
http://www.thesimpsons.com/
“there’s no structure, no coherency, no sense.”
Or simply put , you dont get it. So it must be lacking substance , lacking coherence and lacking sense …
“I refuse to decipher the message; ”
But Its a war , People wil die !!! Save the innocent from the zealot fanatics cultists !!!
“I’ve got more important matters to attend to. ”
Like University English classes ? ;-)
“There’s three languages I tolerate on this blog, Dutch, English, and German. ”
I used English and Dutch , but I can try German too , but I doubt you will be that more pleased with my comments.
“Your post was written in neither of these”
Print it and take a copy to your teacher … On second tought dont do that he might decide to make you fail for saying its not english.
“and hence it’s actually spam.”
No , but its actually really funny how you responded to it and get offended by it.
What can I say I believed you where more knowledgeable about the subject and could make a joke , guess I was wrong.
Sorry Thom , my post was not an insult or an attack.
Comment by Moulinneuf — December 15, 2006 @ 10:35 pm
I’m not offended or insulted at all; I’m just asking you to write in understandable English, that’s all. I guess that’s too much to ask, though.
Comment by Administrator — December 15, 2006 @ 10:39 pm
Linus has been wishy-washy, but I wouldn’t go as far as to call him a “pussy”. There’s some things you’ve posted on your blog, to which I could call you a pussy. The reality is that nobody really knows what constitutes a derived work. There’s definitely a good argument that something like the Nvidia driver isn’t. The vast majority (probably 99+% ) of Nvidia driver code has nothing to do with Linux. On the other hand, if some driver takes wholesale chunks of another driver or linux kernel code for its functionality, then you could make the case that it’s a derived work. As Linus said, much of this is a gray area.
I do agree with your premise that these GPL jihadists aren’t really interested in freedom though. Frankly, I could care less, except to laugh if the extremists shoot themselves in the foot.
Comment by Dave — December 16, 2006 @ 4:45 am
Linus has always had his mind made up.
The GPLv2 decides what the rules are. Period.
If you are unclear with what the GPLv2 means,
don’t ask Linus, ask FSF.
It’s that simple.
Comment by Me — January 1, 2007 @ 7:06 am