Linux Foundation urges Nvidia to provide more open source kernel driver

One of the most inspiring about Linux is its openness, where its source codes can be accessed and exploited by everyone. But what happened when the platform itself is now has to face many closed kernel drivers, that are needed to run the hardwares installed on Linux?

You'll get irritated & disgruntled people who are trying to develop Linux, and when they can't contain their dissatisfied feelings anymore; then come out a statement of act.

Like what Linux Foundation (LF) did, LF has issued Position Statement on Linux Kernel Modules on last Monday. The important content is basically to: "urge vendors to adopt a policy of supporting their customers on Linux with open-source kernel code."

The LF doesn't exactly pointing finger at Nvidia, but LF Technical Advisory Board Chair James Bottomley said in a phone interview with Brooke Crothers (nanotech: the circuits blog): "My intent is to point out the problems Nvidia has been causing themselves with their binary-only (drivers). They are certainly one of the few companies sticking to a binary-only strategy." Binary-only means the drivers are essentially closed.

Bottomley gets much more specific than this. "Their (Nvidia's) binary module is one of the top causes of kernel crashes, which makes Linux look bad," he said.

When Nvidia was asked about this, they responded in an email saying: "Nvidia supports Linux, as well as the Linux community and has long been praised for the quality of the Nvidia Linux driver".

And Nvidia also gave a reason on why they stand firm on the binary-only policy: "Nvidia's fully featured Linux graphics driver is provided as binary-only because it contains intellectual property Nvidia wishes to protect, both in hardware and in software".

It is a complicated situation, both for the openness spirit of open source code in Linux platform and for the purpose of protecting the intelectual properties belong to vendors. But for the betterment of future computing and technology, both parties must make compromises; and if needed: sacrifices.

My best hope is they'll be able to work this out, because they are going to play an important role in our mobile world soon. Where Nvidia will provide the graphic core along with the processor for mobile devices thanks to its advanced tech, and Linux will become the unlimited base platform thanks to its open source policy. These two will provide us; end users, with more alternative options besides the already existing strong players (such as ARM/Intel processors, Windows Mobile, Symbian, etc.)

Specially for Linux, which is the soul foundation of the Palm Nova OS and Google's Android. And those two upcoming mobile OS are expected to be the rock of our mobile world, in next years to come.

[blogged with my Treo 750v]