Linus Denounces NDISWrapper, Denies It GPL Status

eldavojohn writes "On message boards, Linus Torvalds was explaining why NDISWrapper is not eligible to be released under the GPL even though the project claims to be. Linus remarked, "Ndiswrapper itself is *not* compatible with the GPL. Trying to claim that ndiswrapper somehow itself is GPL'd even though it then loads modules that aren't is stupid and pointless. Clearly it just re-exports those GPLONLY functions to code that is *not* GPL'd." This all sprung up with someone restricted NDISWrapper's access to GPL-only symbols thereby breaking the utility. Linus merely replied that "If it loads non-GPL modules, it shouldn't be able to use GPLONLY symbols." As you may know, NDISWrapper implements Windows kernel API and then loads Windows binaries for a number of devices and runs them natively to avoid the cost and complication of emulation."

Comments

Hmm

[Anonymous Coward]

This is all very interesting, but who or what is "GPL"???

Re:Hmm

[Anonymous Coward]

That would be the Grand Polycarp Lodge, an ancient source of hermetic wisdom.
If you have to ask, just keep using Windows.
Your suffering will be minimized.

Re:Linus has already changed his mind

[earnest murderer]

This is /. What do you think? I think this argument sounds a lot like a teenager explaining that using a rubber makes it something other than sex.