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Free Linux Kernel Driver Development FAQ

Posted by kdawson on from the following-up dept.

schwaang writes "The recent announcement by Linux Kernel Developer Greg Kroah-Hartman that 'the Linux kernel community is offering all companies free Linux driver development' seems to have stirred up some interest as well as some questions — see the Slashdot discussion about the announcement. Greg K-H addresses some of the questions raised here, and raises a few more, in a new Free Linux Driver Development FAQ on his blog. An excerpt: 'Q: Are companies really going to do this? A: Yes, already we have received a number of serious queries from companies about producing Linux drivers for their devices. More information will be available later when details are firmed up."

3 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Somebody please explain what this all is about by Excelcia · · Score: 5, Informative
    You and I both should have read the FAQ before posting. ;)

    Q: This is a lame publicity stunt, Linux development has always been done this way.
    A: Well, the NDA program that we have set up with The Linux Foundation is new. But yes, other than that, this is exactly how Linux kernel development has been done. But it is good to point out exactly how it all works for those who are not familiar with how it works. (emphasis added)
  2. Sure you can by codepunk · · Score: 4, Informative

    Point your hardware vendor to the web site and ask them to participate. If you mean will someone reverse engineer your hardware, well they answer that question on the site FAQ and the answer is no.

    --


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  3. Re:Somebody pleasexplain what this all is about by BigBuckHunter · · Score: 4, Informative

    "We'll write free drivers for your hardware if only you release the specification" - isn't this the same that was always done in Linux kernel? Or is the issue only about signing the NDA to get the specs?

    From the FAQ

    Q: This is a lame publicity stunt, Linux development has always been done this way.
    A: Well, the NDA program that we have set up with The Linux Foundation is new. But yes, other than that, this is exactly how Linux kernel development has been done. But it is good to point out exactly how it all works for those who are not familiar with how it works.

    BBH