Re: [gNewSense-users] GPL'd kernel blobs removed from gnewsense

[Paul O'Malley]

Don Parris wrote:
> Not being a programmer, your comment aroused my curiosity.  If you have the
> sources, how can the sources prevent a user from understanding the WHY in
> this case?  I wouldn't likely understand it unless it was documented as to
> 'why' to begin with.  I really would like to get a little deeper insight.  I
> have dabbled a little with programming in PHP/Python, but my practical
> knowledge is very limited.  I do understand many of the basic concepts
> however.  Wouldn't a programmer who is interested in hacking on the kernel
> be able to analyze/discern the 'why'?  Why or why wouldn't (s)he?
Because it is machine code, i.e. a binary blob, not penetratable in the 
way of the C language, Perl, Python, PHP, or the Bash shell.

They are for want of a description precompiled and then published with 
permission to alter them in their compiled format.

Not the most user friendly  thing in the world.

They are free in spirit but non free in practice.


Regards,

Paul