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Sun vs. OpenBSD?

Posted by chrisd on from the theo-doesn't-get-along-with-someone dept.

An anonymous reader writes "CNet has an article up about OpenBSD trying to get documentation for Sun's UltraSparc-III processor. Basically Sun is giving them a bit of run around....There is some documentation available for the processor, but not enough to get things to boot."

2 of 273 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Not surprising by mike_the_kid · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The linux team apparently approached sun to show them the specs, Sun said "sign an NDA or no deal." Linux team signs, code goes under the GPL.

    OpenBSD team approaches sun, Sun said "sign an NDA or no deal", OpenBSD says no, thats against the spirit of our project and the BSD license.

    The interesting thing is that here the code is being used in an open source project (linux), but OpenBSD will not make use of it, because they respect the intent of the GPL.

    --
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  2. Re:Theo's just being an asshole - once more by jbolden · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Since you are an AC I'd say its close to 100% that Theo has done way more for the community than you have.

    As for the specifics. If Sun made it policy that it required an NDA to get Sparc 3 Theo would go away. That makes Sparc 3 a closed architecture. But Sun claims Sparc 3 is open. All Theo is doing is either:

    a) forcing the reality to match their rhetoric (i.e. open the spec)
    b) forcing them change the rhetoric

    Sun has been all over the map in terms of open source and open standards. I think these public battles are forcing Sun as an institution to confont the contradictions in their idealogy and corporate culture.