Digia acquires Qt [LWN.net]

Digia acquires Qt

Posted Aug 16, 2012 19:11 UTC (Thu) by mikov (subscriber, #33179)
In reply to: Digia acquires Qt by krake
Parent article: Digia acquires Qt

By your definition any system is modifiable because it can be modified after an arbitrary amount of effort. For example, it might require breaking a encryption key which takes years. But no matter, it is still *possible*, the only difference is the amount of time and effort it takes. Where do you draw the line?

Clearly such a definition is meaningless.

What matters is the intent. Does the device deliberately provide the user with the ability to service the software? A desktop PC running a standard desktop does. A desktop PC running kiosk software *does not*.

Granted, Jonno has posted some thoughtful arguments that modifying the actual device might not be strictly required in the legal sense for LGPL2. That is a line of reasoning that deserves serious consideration.

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Digia acquires Qt

Posted Aug 16, 2012 19:51 UTC (Thu) by krake (subscriber, #55996) [Link]

"By your definition any system is modifiable because it can be modified after an arbitrary amount of effort."

No.

"What matters is the intent."

Exactly!

"A desktop PC running kiosk software *does not*."

I think you are over generalizing again. I know of quite some Kiosk PCs which are installed, configured and updated by their respective owners or their employees and have not been rendered unmodifiable (neither technically nor legally) by the device's manufacturer.

Just like with embedded devices, the device category does not imply the availability or absence of customizability.
Some systems detect updates on a server (or even boot through from server), some require remote access (e.g. SSH), some can be updated through a physically connected media, some need swapping of their system drive, some need to be powered down, connected to an updater device and reprogrammed through that.

Since you like general statements so much I'd say that the majority of systems is designed that way and only a very small portion has been artifically restricted by technical (e.g. cryptography) or legal (e.g. renting instead of selling) measures.