[ale] OpenBSD in embedded systems

[Pat Regan]

Christopher Fowler wrote:
> #1 is not fully defined.  The main issue is with dynamic linking.  RMS
> would like all programs that dynamically link with GPL libraries to be
> open.  IMO this is viral.  
> 

I should probably say that I have not read the text of the current
revision of the proposed GPL v3.

> #2 is DRM.  DRM is a broad definition.  In our device we use a technique
> of matching a serial number stored on flash with numbers in the
> hardware.  This prevents anyone from copying the software off the unit
> and running on standard PC hardware.  This could be considered DRM and
> GPLv3 could make it wrong.  
> 

It sounds like you may be doing the opposite of what the DRM additions
to the GPL are trying to prevent.  However, the quoted blurbs of the GPL
v3 that I have read don't seem to make it very clear.

Is your serial number check in the kernel?  If it isn't, it doesn't
matter what the GPL says.

Anyway...  I think I understand what RMS is trying to accomplish with
the new GPL.  I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong :).

Today, lets say you want to be sneaky and try to make money off of some
GPL software.  Somehow you make a bootable Linux disc with a running
copy of XFree86 and Pingus.  You pay some money to Sony, they sign your
disc, and it then becomes bootable on a PS2.

You can give away the source all you like, but no one else will be able
to build a working binary for the PS2.  Technically, this can happen today.

Tomorrow, your WRT54G, Tivo, or something we haven't seen yet will
require binaries to be signed in order to run.

I understand that this doesn't really address your issues.

> So I'm looking at my options and wondering if Linux is really the
> solution.  I'm lucky in that I do have a good amount of resources on the
> target hardware and it is PC based so I know OpenBSD will run.  I just
> need it to be able to have some features that Linux does that will allow
> me to do some of the things I need to do.  Like initrd, ramdisks, etc...
> 

It is probably too soon to tell exactly what the GPL 3 will allow and
disallow...  However, if you don't like v3 then don't use it.  The
kernel is currently GPL 2 only, and that is very unlikely to change.
Most software that isn't GPL 2 only has a line stating "or any future
version of the GPL."  The word "or" is the important one.  You can still
continue to use it under the GPL 2 if you desire.

> Anyway maybe its time to get off the "Sub $250 PCs" thread and talk
> about something else.  Flame away.
> 

You get what you pay for, right? :)

Pat
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