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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Linux 6.6 To Better Protect Against The Illicit Behavior Of NVIDIA's Proprietary Driver (www.phoronix.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Luis Chamberlain sent out the modules changes today for the Linux 6.6 merge window. Most notable with the modules update is a change that better builds up the defenses against NVIDIA's proprietary kernel driver from using GPL-only symbols. Or in other words, bits that only true open-source drivers should be utilizing and not proprietary kernel drivers like NVIDIA's default Linux driver in respecting the original kernel code author's intent.

Back in 2020 when the original defense was added, NVIDIA recommended avoiding the Linux 5.9 for the time being. They ended up having a supported driver several weeks later. It will be interesting to see this time how long Linux 6.6+ thwarts their kernel driver.

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[–] withabeard 6 points 1 year ago (3 children)

If your livelihood depends on a company breaking the law, you've got other issues.

Nvidia could choose to follow the law, their customers could choose to support them in that.

Part of the reason you can't replace Nvidia, is because they get ahead by breaking the law. This makes it harder to compete with them.

Now you're stuck with only Nvidia, and welcome to monopoly hell. A bit exaggerated I know, but it's his it happens.

[–] deong 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

If your livelihood depends on a company breaking the law, you’ve got other issues.

That's a pretty naive view of the world. If I buy 50,000 Android devices to support my company's field sales operation, I'm not going to collect them all and put them in a trash compactor just because Oracle decides to pick a copyright fight with Google. If you work for any large-ish company, your employer is probably engaged in dozens of active lawsuits right now. That's just how the world works.

[–] withabeard 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's just how the world works.

And that's kind of the discussion here.

Some people are annoyed at the Linux Devs because "fuck it, everyone breaks the law and it doesn't matter". Some people are annoyed at Nvidia because they'd like to uphold or social contracts.

In don't think it's naive to want to live in a world and support a society that supports the law. I do think we have bigger issues that people are happy with this behaviour and are actively defending it.

[–] deong 1 points 1 year ago

I’m not saying you shouldn’t want companies to obey the laws. I’m specifically responding to the idea of "if your business relies on companies breaking the law, you have bigger problems". The idea that you’ll dramatically tear apart and rebuild your supply chain literally every week as one company or another is sued for something that doesn’t concern you is what’s naive. Even just looking at patents, every company that writes software is a time bomb, because there are hundreds of thousands of bullshit patents that cover extremely broad and obvious ideas. This can’t be your problem, or you’ll never actually get around to doing the thing your company does.