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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."

2 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. Re:How is this news? by xtracto · · Score: 1, Redundant

    by EveryNickIsTaken (1054794) Alter Relationship
    Is it really that shocking that hardware manufacturers are interested in having drivers developed for free that would enable them to reach additional consumers?

    Oh.. wait. It's Linux. So that means it's news. Yeah, right.

    1. You must be new here.

    2. As stated in the FFAQ:
    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.

    The main idea is to let companies know that it is possible to release hardware specifications in an NDA-esque way to kernel developers *without* having to publish their /precious/ secrets. Chances are that, the secrets are not *within the code* but developers need to know about them to implement the drivers.

    --
    Ubuntu is an African word meaning 'I can't configure Debian'
  2. Re:liability? by fimbulvetr · · Score: 0, Redundant

    It's linux. There are huge disclaimers everywhere about libability, amongst other things.

    This is a tough concept for windows boys to grasp because they come from the world of "If it doesn't work we call MS/Dell/HP" etc.

    Besides, is oracle liable for your data loss when you lose your oracle instance? MS when you lose your IIS website?