Mailinglist Archive: opensuse (4208 mails)

[Sid Boyce <sboyce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

jfweber@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> *** Reply to message from "Berge, Harry ten" <berge@xxxxxxx> on Mon, 12
> Jul 2004 16:13:47 +0200***
>
>  
>
> > Personally I've rather a good working driver that isn't totally GPL'ed (at
> > least the source code) than a non-performing open sourced one.
> > nVidia is doing a very good job with their linux drivers. There are issues,
> > I know, but what's new?
> >    
I can make a compromise here and there. It's a much better situation now 
the vendors are providing  solutions. Adaptec was a hard nut to crack, 
so the developers got working and we were able to use Adaptec SCSI cards 
from quite early; when they finally relented and took the screens down, 
the guys had made only two minor wrong assumptions. I guess that once 
they had got so close, there was no sense in resisting any longer.

> well, I guess in the long run it's better for some linux guys to have
> paying jobs, than for totally open drivers . Hey, even programmers have
> to eat, and wear clothes and feed kids n stuff ... :) That is why I
> actually buy boxed versions of the software I use.. but that is a
> personal opinion.
>  
I too contribute and wish I could do more. Crossover Office, Mandrake 
and SuSE get my support and may be I will encourage a few others. Some 
of the developers get sponsorhsip, perhaps they find it harder than 
writing the code. The luckier ones get to do it in fulltime employment, 
others write the code, are seen and employed. I like to know that these 
guys are not on the breadline through helping others, whereas less 
talented people get handsomely paid for producing drossware.

> It wasn't a war I wanted to start , just a comment .. someone at the US
> version of Linux journal had complained that we should all boycott them
> as they weren't open.. It was before my time the trouble started I
> guess ;)
>
>  
There is nothing wrong with bringing pressure to bear on companies that 
can well withstand opening up their stuff, but that tradition dictates 
they don't. I have had colleagues tell me they can't understand why guys 
would write the stuff that's in Linux and give it away, when the quality 
could exact a premium, it's hard for them to take in coming from a 
background where every piece of software is marketed and sold at a 
handsome profit.
Regards
Sid.
---
Sid Boyce .... Hamradio G3VBV and keen Flyer
LINUX ONLY USED HERE.