Re: Why is Nvidia given GPL'd code to use in closed source drivers?

Mark Mielke
2003-01-05T21:58:37Z

On Sun, Jan 05, 2003 at 01:34:01PM -0500, Richard Stallman wrote:
> Linux is a copy of Unix. There is very little new stuff in Linux.
> This is no coincidence. GNU/Linux parallels Unix because I chose that
> design in 1983. It is foolish to focus on innovation when you are
> starting a race with a multi-year handicap. The first task is to
> catch up.

You *chose* GNU/Linux to parallel Unix? I assume you mean that you
influenced GNU into using a Unix base with the eventual goal of having
some sort of GNU Unix base (the Hurd?). The words you selected above
are rather assuming.

> You get the idea. Sun makes more in 2 days than Red Hat makes all year.
> This is very significant if money is your main goal. Both GNU and
> Linux exist because of people who have different priorities.

Development costs resources. GNU has benefitted substantially from
resources offered for free by people that have other (usually non-GPL
or non-open source) means of putting food on the table. Respect this.

mark

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