Re: ext2 fs corruption and usb devices

[Duncan Sands <duncan.sands@math.u-psud.fr>]

On Tuesday 29 January 2002 1:13 pm, Pierre Rousselet wrote:
> Zwane Mwaikambo wrote:
> > But i still think proprietory modules showing up in problem traces is
> > usually enough to warrant the trace as useless. The fact that it works
> > now and not then could be anybody's guess.
>
> The kernel module is actually open-source and could even be merged in
> the kernel tree. If the modem was smart it would run its own firmware
> without relying on the client's machine to do it.
>
> Q1: Are the ST USB drivers for Linux completely Open Source ?
>
> A1: Alcatel supports the Open Source Movement, but feels it has to
> protect it's Intellectual property. Therefore, The drivers are only
> partially Open Source.
> There is a open source kernel-module (GPL) and a closed source
> management application. The management application is distributed as a
> binary and contains the firmware.

It should be possible to replace the Alcatel management application using
code from the user space speedtouch driver project
(see http://speedtouch.sourceforge.net).  Of course the firmware uploaded
to the modem would still be closed source, but no closed source program
would run on the computer.  Since the module is open-source (GPL) there
is no problem adding the appropriate licence symbol to it, avoiding the "tainted"
problem.

All the best, Duncan.