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Free/Open Source Software Hardware Requirements?

Posted by Cliff on from the flip-side-of-the-ole-chestnut dept.

Bender asks: "Most on Slashdot seem to be concerned with getting Free/Open Source software to be compatible with hardware (firmware, register sets, etc). My question is from the other side of the table: I'm in the hardware business and I'm wondering if there are any central guidelines to better guarantee compatibility with Linux/*BSD. As an example, to guarantee that our hardware runs Microsoft Windows, we have to conform to the Windows Logo Program Requirements. These requirements dictate (among other things) firmware interfaces, debug ports, and DRM. Some of these requirements, if not implemented carefully, could trigger incompatibilities with non-Microsoft operating systems. Is there a Linux/*BSD equivalent to the Microsoft requirements to allow hardware designers to build OS agnostic systems?"

5 of 228 comments (clear)

  1. In order to use UNIX-like systems by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    You must at least have this hardware requirement:

    - Must be genital free

  2. Re:Open Source is Like Terrorism (note: ironic sub by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Untrue, though since you've certainly been trolling in the past, it's likely you probably still are now.

    Free software and open source -are- things. What do you think all of those philosophical arguments are related to? Software. The "source" in "open source" refers to the code itself, also a very real, tangible item.

    Can't design for "F/OSS" as you refer to it? Wrong again. What about commenting? Reusable components? Documentation? All of the things that are either irrelevant or not provided with most commercial, close-sourced products? Designing a program with maintainability and readability in mind, particularly if you intend to release the source code openly, is essentially designing "for F/OSS," as you put it.

    Unfortunately most of this will probably go ignored, being that you're a troll (your last paragraph was a good indicator; "blindered hobbyists who dance around it," eh?). The sad truth is that you're a pretty intellectually inept asshole who's trying to cause trouble, not trying to stimulate discussion.

  3. ..that's not a joke... it's hate speech by SlideGuitar · · Score: -1, Troll

    ...a signature like that is just hate speech... substitute an ethnic or racial group for "women" if you are having a hard time seeing what's not funny about it.

  4. It's in your hands by Baloo+Ursidae · · Score: -1, Troll
    Here's how you can maintain compatability for a device:

    • Write the drivers yourself and GPL them
    • Actively maintain the drivers
    Good luck!
    --
    Help us build a better map!
  5. ....all these responses clearly establish ... by SlideGuitar · · Score: 0, Troll

    ...something, but what?

    Choose your favorite

    1... the prevailing sense of humor on slashdot is puerile (however you spell it)

    2... that there are no women who read these pages.

    3... that grinding women up and putting them in your freezer is generally thought to be good clean fun for everyone.

    4... that most people who defended that comment probably are not in a relationship with any self respecting woman...

    4a... and have a mental age of about... oh 14.

    5... that most folks around here don't want a vile idea to get in the way of a good yuck.... although guys, when you grow up, you might find that a good fuck is a hell of a lot better than a good yuck...

    6.... all of the above.

    I should have known I was too old to still be reading Slashdot.