2007 Linux and free software timeline: April
[Posted December 21, 2007 by corbet]
Better that our software should cease to exist, at least for 20 years, the
duration of a patent, than it become an instrument for subjugation.
-- Richard
Stallman
The second LGPLv3 discussion draft is released (
announcement).
Penguin Computing gets $9 million in venture money (press
release).
The Sahana project gets the FSF social benefit award for its work
creating a system to manage large-scale relief efforts (announcement).
It just reminds me that the concept of "release early, release often" doesn't
actually work in the kernel. What is far more obvious is "release code only
when it's so close to perfect that noone can argue against it" since most of
the work is done by one person, otherwise someone will come out with a
counterpatch that is _complete_ earlier but in all possibility not as good,
it's just ready sooner.
-- Con
Kolivas
The OpenBSD project is caught relicensing a driver from Linux; all
hell breaks loose (article).
Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 ("etch") is released (announcement).
The completely fair scheduler is posted, stirring up the kernel CPU
scheduler discussion (article).
Sam Hocevar is elected Debian project leader (results).
The Gaim project settles with AOL, is renamed Pidgin.
We make things happen by taking the reins, establishing buy-in, and kicking
arse. Not by waiting to receive blessing or permission.
-- Jeff
Waugh
CentOS 5 is released (announcement).
Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring is released (announcement).
The GNOME Mobile & Embedded Initiative is launched (article). Internal grumbling
about lack of notice and marketing team participation ensues.
Ubuntu Linux 7.04 ("feisty fawn") is released (announcement).
It's the sustainability long-term of the open source model that I worry
about. Who will take care of the software after the novelty wears off and
the volunteers lose interest and get real jobs?
-- Bob
Metcalfe
The IP enforcement directive passes in the European Parliament (
FFII).
Eben Moglen leaves the Free Software Foundation board to concentrate
on teaching and the Software Freedom Law Center (weblog).
Samsung does the Microsoft patent deal (press
release).
Progeny Linux Systems ceases operations.
A system that is wholly dependent on open source elements will have a high
burden to demonstrate that it is sufficiently secure to warrant
authorization as a software defined radio.
-- U.S. FCC
[PDF]
The 2.6.21 kernel is released (announcement).
A U.S. Supreme Court decision raises the "obviousness" bar for
patents with results yet to be understood (Bloomberg
article).
The Linux Foundation travel fund is launched as a way for needy
hackers to get transportation to conferences (press release).
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