Is this legal - linux without the sources ?
Shadow
system (debian-based, it uses both debian and ubuntu repositories).
The first time I used synaptic, it crashed various times, with a load
of messages about library dependencies.
I tried to find the source code, but was told by the Philco
people that their linux was proprietary, so no access to drivers or
source code.
I tried installing ubuntu on the notebook, but the modem is
not recognized. And Philco says it will only give me technical help if
I re-install the Fenix system (which comes with the notebook on an
encrypted DVD). Also I must not install any new software, as it could
cause conflicts, not covered by the warranty. I must maintain the
original software installed. (apparently security updates are out of
the question, as there are scores of dependencies unresolved -
synaptic seems to download from various versions of ubuntu/debian)
I though buying a linux notebook would open my horizons to
lots of nice software. I think I've been done .....
[]'s
A friend of mine just put windows XP on his, but that is NOT
what I bought the notebook for.
http://www.sistemafenix.com.br
http://www.philco.com.br/Notebooks.aspx?cn=146&p=287
ray
We've had a much better experience with the Asus eeepc I bought my wife
for Christmas last year. Installed Debian by following the Debian eeepc
wiki and all went swimmingly - and yes, we do updates.
Michael John Ruff
Yes it is legal as it is proptirtary.
Mike
Shadow
Whatever happened to open source ? I though the source code
had to be available. In this particular case it looks like Philco took
debian's code, added a couple of drivers, and are now charging for it.
At least Bill Gates blatantly stole DOS and OS2. I mean,
designed windows himself.
[]'s
>
>Mike
ray
I would have thought it would be perfectly legal for them to sell it -
but under the license, they'd still have to provide source code.
J.O. Aho
They are still forced to in one or another way provide possible access to the
GPL part of the code and the patches they made on the GPL code. Just look at
how RedHat has solved it, they provide the source RPMs for the GPL part of RHEL.
--
//Aho
Out-West
Sounds like a business trick that Micodollars does.
Anyone that would distribute a OS this way is one that I would stay away
from. Plenty of other OS's out there that you do not have to worry about
them doing business this way.
Paul T.
Snowbat
> I recently bought a Philco notebook, which came with a linux
> system (debian-based, it uses both debian and ubuntu repositories). The
> first time I used synaptic, it crashed various times, with a load of
> messages about library dependencies.
> I tried to find the source code, but was told by the Philco
> people that their linux was proprietary, so no access to drivers or
> source code.
I think FSF Latin America would be interested in this. You could
subscribe to the Legales mailing list and repost your questions there:
http://www.fsfla.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/legales?language=pt_BR
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html
| If you commercially distribute binaries not accompanied with source
| code, the GPL says you must provide a written offer to distribute the
| source code later.
Shadow
wrote:
Yes , I thought there was something like that. I will look
into it. Thanks for the link.
[]'s
Amax
Oh man, the last time I saw the name 'Philco" was on the shitty, staticy
AM radio in my 1965 Ford Falcon. Then they did a short-lived thing with
TV's & other household appliances - also shitty.
So, they ended up in Brazil, did they? This is where copyrights & other
int'l laws have no real meaning or jurisdiction.
I'm sorry, but you're on your own with this & you might as well just blow
everything away & install something like Debian or Ubuntu. There has to
be a driver(s) around for the basic chipsets that are in your unit. More
than likely, a good up-to-date distro will recognize the hardware and
supply the necessary drivers. The latest 2.6.31.x kernel is just chock
full of drivers for all sorts of seemingly obscure hardware.
Obviously, Philco (Brazil) has taken the various components of good
equipment & slapped them into their so-called factory design along with a
Linux OS with a few twists & have endeavoured to bully their clientele
into believing that nothing can happen without their 'official' say-so &
a "small" service fee.
Hey, no one can blame you for trying to get a new laptop for under $300,
but the warranty & support kinda sucks, don't it?
~Amax~
--
Giving money and power to Government is like giving whiskey and car keys
to teenage boys.
- T.J.O'Rourke
Moe Trin
<heodfb$fqk$1...@aioe.org>, Amax wrote:
>Oh man, the last time I saw the name 'Philco" was on the shitty,
>staticy AM radio in my 1965 Ford Falcon.
You got what you paid for. At that time, Philco was owned by Ford.
The company was then sold to GTE and finally to Philips who owns it
now. In the states, they are now selling as Philco and Funai.
>Then they did a short-lived thing with TV's & other household
>appliances - also shitty.
In the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, they were producing quality stuff.
They apparently went to hell after being bought by Ford. No surprise.
>So, they ended up in Brazil, did they?
No, Philco-Hitachi - apparently a joint spin-off. It was sold several
times - about all that exists seems to be the brand name - no actual
products. The Argentine company (also no longer part of Philips) seems
to retain a good reputation. Amazing what you might find if you used
a search engine.
Old guy