On Tuesday 17 October 2006 09:49, bofh wrote: > > Here's the link > > > > http://lwn.net/1999/0211/a/lt-binary.html > > Hmm... The only thing I saw was that he expects to get to kernel version > 5.6.71 in two years? 8-)
What are you expecting... a word for word quote of the OpenBSD point of view. This is back in 1999 and although Linus allowed them, it is obvious he didn't like them and didn't support them for the obvious reasons and stated some issues in no uncertain terms. The sooner all the open source people get on the same page, instead of pulling in different directions over the blob/api documentatiion issue, the better. You didn't see:- "I _refuse_ to even consider tying my hands over some binary-only module" "extra layers decrease readability, and sometimes make for performance problems. The readability thing is actually the larger beef I had with this: I just don't want to see drivers start using some strange wrapper format that has absolutely nothing to do with how they work" "I _want_ people to expect that interfaces change. I _want_ people to know that binary-only modules cannot be used from release to release. I want people to be really really REALLY aware of the fact that when they use a binary-only module, they tie their hands" "Basically, I want people to know that when they use binary-only modules, it's THEIR problem. I want people to know that in their bones, and I want it shouted out from the rooftops. I want people to wake up in a cold sweat every once in a while if they use binary-only modules" "I refuse to be at the mercy of any binary-only module" Basically, blobs (binaries) are bad. They go against the whole 'open source' philosophy (being binaries) there is no open source. They may be a necessary evil until the API docs are opened up, but they are still evil. -- Regards...Martin
