Re: Runs with Linux (tm)

David Lang
2005-12-12T21:13:52Z

On Wed, 7 Dec 2005, Jesse Barnes wrote:

> Now, who's in a position to make this happen? Maybe Linux International?
> (I think Maddog mentioned something like this at a Kernel Summit a few
> years ago.)

I don't remember tha name of the orginization, but the group that Linus
setup to enforce the trademark would be perfect for this. licensing a
'runs with linux' sticker would be exactly the type of thing the trademark
is designed to protect.

I think it's obvious that anything with in-kernel drivers would qualify
(new versions of hardware may need driver updates before they could use
the sticker) and if Linus could define a suitable level of documentation
of the hardware I think that that should very quickly lead to an in-kernel
driver (and given hardware lead time it may be reasonable to allow the
sticker based on the release of documentation)

I would not like to see it for external drivers, especially ones that work
only with specific kernels from specific distros. even if the source is
available, unless it can be merged into the kernel it's going to be a
ongoing problem (although the open-source-but-external driver code could
end up being deemed 'sufficiant documentation')

David Lang

--
There are two ways of constructing a software design. One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies. And the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies.
-- C.A.R. Hoare