Why Don't Companies Release Specs?

Mhrmnhrm asks: "With the recent activism by the OpenBSD crew focusing on release of documentation from the likes of Adaptec, Intel, and others, I'm left to wonder: why do companies insist on believing that by denying access to the specs, they somehow gain an advantage? It's not like telling a programmer how to communicate with the underlying hardware is going to tell them how it (the PCB/silicon) was designed, so why make this information secret?"

Comments

Because they're stupid?

[Spy der Mann]

For one, I really suspect they presume (or seem to), the implementation details can be deduced from the API's. Or at least that someone might reverse engineer their hardware, making one that's similar and compatible.

I don't know.

Re:Vendors Losing Money

[justins]

When I ask if they could part with some of the stuff to help us skip steps 1-3 above, they always give a uniform NO. It doesn't matter what NDA we've signed or a if we are willing to take the code stripped of features and with no warranty.down.

Need an explanation for this behavior on the part of your vendor? See average Unix/Linux geek's attitude towards intellectual property as expressed here on Slashdot.

Re:Because it would cost them money

[Daniel Phillips]

Goody for you. When you and your friends who think like you are enough of a market share for them to care, their practices will change. Have fun.

Yes, and then the world will be a better place even for you, an apparent good-for-nothing who has little better to do with his time than lampoon the good works of others.