Re: What exactly does "supports Linux" mean?

Helge Hafting
2003-05-19T10:08:46Z

Neale Banks wrote:
> On Sun, 18 May 2003, Pavel Machek wrote:

>>[Really, if the card is common enough, and driver sources are
>>available, they are going to be in kernel.org kernel within few weeks.]
>
> Iff:
> (1) the sources etc constitute "sufficient" documentation (e.g. poke magic
> value into magic register might not help enough :-( ).

Sure.

> (2) the sources are not only "included" but are "freely" modifiable and
> redistributable.

No need. As long as there is no NDA, which there isn't when
you get a cd bundled with the thing. Restricted source then
mean that you can't edit it so it fits your kernel and
redistribute. But you can read it and see how the thing works,
if (1) is satisfied. Then you use your knowledge and write
a driver from scratch. More work, but legal.

Of course a completely free driver is even better. :-)

Helge Hafting