Do Build Environments Give Companies an End Run Around the GPL? 374
Malvineous writes "I have two devices, from two different companies (who shall remain nameless, but both are very large and well-known) which run Linux-based firmware. The companies release all their source code to comply with the GPL, but neither includes a build environment or firmware utilities with the code. This means that if you want to alter the free software on the device, you can't — there is no way to build a firmware image or install it on the devices in question, effectively rendering the source code useless. I have approached the companies directly and while one of them acknowledges that it is not fully GPL-compliant, due to other license restrictions it cannot make the build environment public, and the company does not have the resources to rewrite it. I have approached the FSF but its limited resources are tied up pursuing more blatant violations (where no code at all is being released.) Meanwhile I am stuck with two devices that only work with Internet Explorer, and although I have the skills to rewrite each web interface, I have no way of getting my code running on the devices themselves. Have these companies found a convenient way to use GPL code, whilst preventing their customers from doing the same?"
Re:It would be nice to name names (Score:5, Funny)
As if we don't know it's Cisco.
Re:GPLv3 (Score:5, Funny)
I find this concept of moderating based on factual correctness quaint but interesting.
Re:IE only (Score:2, Funny)
Some companies are still in the IT stone age. For example, one company - with which I just got an account - sells flatrates to video games for a monthly fee. So far so good but they actually use an IE-only plug-in that relies on ActiveX and only runs as administrator. And that's the "updated new version" of their client :D
Admittedly it's supposed to run on FF eventually ... some time in the future ... promise ;)
Re:GPLv3 (Score:5, Funny)
Mod parent down, I don't like the tone of that comment.It needs to be dropped a couple of semitones.
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
Re:GPLv3 (Score:2, Funny)
Screw the parent, mod ME up.
'minority views on software development' (Score:3, Funny)
2 can play at that game.
Enjoy this. [xkcd.com]