embedded devices and open source

[Thomas Charron]

On 2/23/07, Python <python at venix.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 2007-02-22 at 13:02 -0500, Thomas Charron wrote:
> > Personally, I've done work for embedded
> > systems that can run Open Source software.  The support nightmare for
> > people who screw with the devices, then 'put back' the stock version
> > of the software would be a nightmare, and would generally cause me to
> > shy away from using ANY such software, which I suspect other
> > developers and hardware manufacturers to do the same, in a sense,
> > killing a growth path twards the 'Utopian' environment.
> This comment intrigued me and I have simply ripped it out of the ESR/GPL
> license context.
> I have enjoyed using the Linksys Linux routers because of the
> flexibility and network smarts that can be obtained from a relatively
> inexpensive piece of hardware.
> Is the manufacturer's perspective really that grim when trying to
> support an open source device?  I would think the manufacturer of a
> Linux/GNU device has an edge.  The manufacturer  simply has to implement
> the base features of the competition.  By enabling others to build
> additional modules and customizations the hardware becomes more useful
> without much additional effort.
> Am I way off base?

  Huge I-obviously-am-not-a-lawyer-and-these-are-developers-talking disclaimer.

  Hardware manufacturers are finicky in some regards.  In many cases,
they HAVE to make reasonable precautions with their devices for
licensing and IP reasons.  Look at Tivo.  Tivo will only run kernels
which are signed by Tivo.  Yes, you can void your warentee, crack the
sucker up, and they've told you 'dont do that, or it's not our
fault!'.  But they draw the line at the kernel.

  Another example is of encryption of data in which the end user
cannot retrieve this data in another manner.  Hypothetically,
pubic/private key encryption in which the user does not have direct
access to data could be considered GPL breaking.

  I guess to sum up conversations, and general feeling.

  The GPL3 changes start to go beyond simply dealing with copywrite issues.

-- 
-- Thomas