X.org, distributors, and proprietary modules [LWN.net]

X.org, distributors, and proprietary modules

Posted Aug 15, 2006 10:27 UTC (Tue) by k8to (guest, #15413)
In reply to: X.org, distributors, and proprietary modules by warmcat1
Parent article: X.org, distributors, and proprietary modules

I don't disagree that a distribution must consider usability as well as
freedom, and that there is room for different choices. However, Fedora
has made this choice. Fedora _does not_ support binary drivers. This
bridge was already crossed.

It seems the discussion found some other issues which were important as
well, and so have decided to keep with 7.0 on the balance.

to post comments

X.org, distributors, and proprietary modules

Posted Aug 15, 2006 10:44 UTC (Tue) by warmcat1 (guest, #31975) [Link]

Yes Fedora has always had that stance, I think it is a good stance.

However many Fedora users for whatever reason ARE using binary drivers of one flavour or another, it's a fact. Therefore there are ramifications to 4KSTACKS or xorg 7.1 or whatever the next problem will be that shows the fissure between the open codebase that can move with it en bloc and the closed codebase that is fragile.

It is a political decision how to balance those needs, the damage to binary driver users got plenty of airing on fedora-devel and I am sure it was part of the considerations in not pushing all updating FC5 users on to xorg 7.1. And that's probably a good thing, some realpolitik, because this running sore will be with us for a long time AFAICT.