2007 Linux and free software timeline: April [LWN.net]

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).

<== March

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