[Tfug] GPL Worthless?

[erich]

I think this debate about GPL is just the froth on the cauldron.

Traditionally big companies such as IBM and HP would contribute
items to the Linux community, and distros would incorporate these
software technologies into their upgrades.

Enter Google. The software giant has the resources to completely
modify the kernel and the associated architecture to satisfy their
own business plan. Never mind whether or not anything they do
can be incorporated into Debian/FC or whatever.

To put it another way, Does Debian run on tablet PC's or smartphones?
or is it just for server farms?

My sister-in-law blissfully spends hours on her Ipad with never a thought
to the legions of server farms that make her experience possible.

                                                                                                                     
Erich



Bexley Hall wrote:
> Hi,
>
> To start, let me make it clear that I don't run an Linux variants
> and avoid GPL'd offerings as much as possible.
>
> Linux's (vs. any of the other free kernels & OS's) claim to fame
> seems to be its embracing of the GPL -- to virally allow software
> based on it to reproduce.
>
> Yet, looking at Linux based devices in the *market*, it seems that
> very few manufacturers seem to take those license terms seriously!
>
> Some make sources available (with a bit of digging).  Very few
> go beyond this to *encourage* modification of those sources
> (e.g., even something as simple as documenting the build process).
>
> Many *only* make the sources available -- with an attitude that
> borders on *contempt* for users looking for those sources!
> ["All we LEGALLY have to do is give you the sources.  Don't even
> *try* to ask for support!  ("Oh, but if you happen to find some
> really nasty bug in our implementation, we will begrudgingly
> accept a fully commented patch identifying the problem and its
> rememedy -- though we make no promises as to whether or not we'll
> credit you with that fix!")]
>
> And, I suspect the vast majority of the instances of GPL'd
> devices purchased with *no* compliance with GPL terms is the
> norm.  (just looking at the number of tablets running atop
> a linux kernel WITHOUT available sources should prove that
> point!)
>
> And, there seems to be no litigation in place to actively
> protect the terms of that license.
>
> So, can someone tell me what the *value* of a linux kernel
> is likely to be over any of the other non-GPL, FOSS kernels
> out there?
>
> [Sorry, I don't mean this to sound religious.  Rather, don't
> understand how something that isn't enforced/assured can have
> any practical *value* -- especially if that *thing* is what
> its advocates are promoting!]
>
> --don
>
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