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Linux Has to Support Closed-Source Drivers
A recent Linux Devices article summarizes a speech given by Harald Welte in which he details the technical problems with closed-source drivers in the Linux kernel. Basically the overall problem is that closed-source drivers often break, since they can’t be updated when the kernel is updated.
I understand that improving compatibility with closed-source drivers would mean some technical sacrifices and a giant fight over the politics of it, but I still feel it must be done, at least initially. I am all for open-source drivers, but, quite frankly, it is a big step for companies to go all the way to offering open-source drivers for Linux. It would probably be much easier for more companies to support Linux if they could at least bring their current development method to Linux. Basically, making closed-source drivers work better with the kernel would provide a stepping stone for hardware manufacturers, who would eventually step all the way across into the open-source world. Once everyone has crossed, you can take away the stepping stone and go back to the way things were before.
Plus, the problem is more than just not being comfortable with open-source. Some companies may, for legal reasons, not be able to release source code. Granted there is great help for manufacturers wanting to make open-source drivers for the kernel, but it still usually requires they turn over at least some information.
The point is that some sacrifices may have to be made in the interest of allowing and inviting more people into the Linux and open-source software world.
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I agree with Welte. We don’t need another OS X.
> The point is that some sacrifices may have to be made in the
> interest of allowing and inviting more people into the Linux and
> open-source software world
Free Software exists to fill its own needs and its gaining users as a result of its amazing development, stability, and quality. Although Linux has corporate backing (from _many_ large IT companies), it has no corporate owner which needs to please shareholders. It exists to do what it does best, and this cannot be the case with closed blobs that must be catered to (aka the closed drivers).
Do I wish my card had better 3D? Sure. So I have installed the closed drivers and realized how poor they are. It is my option to use them but there is no promise that they’ll work because we don’t know _how_ they work.
I agree. When possible, an effort should be made to support closed drivers. People who think it’s “wrong” are full of it. If X hardware can be supported, what is worse, supporting a closed driver or forcing people to change hardware/OS (i.e. spend more money)?
And how would you “support” closed source drivers, when you have no idea what they do, what they change and how they work? The kernel is already Free Software, there is no way you could support closed source drivers more.
And, from my point of view, it’s wrong.