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Armin Steinhoff  
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 More options Nov 8 2005, 2:34 pm
Newsgroups: comp.os.minix
From: Armin Steinhoff <a-steinh...@web.de>
Date: Tue, 08 Nov 2005 20:34:10 +0100
Local: Tues, Nov 8 2005 2:34 pm
Subject: Re: Driver HOWTO ?
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jfath...@aol.com wrote:
> Armin Steinhoff wrote:

>>AFAIS ... it should be very easy to port our QNX4 based
>>fieldbus drivers to Minix 3 :)

> My enthusiasm for Minix 3 derives from my own QNX 4 (POSIX microkernel)
> experience several years ago.  Minix 3 will need to catch on and
> develop a user community beyond the classroom to approach QNX in
> utility, but if it does, it could become a really compelling
> alternative.

It depends on your requirements. If you don't need real-time and
threads, but a robust and secure micro kernel running on a single
CPU ... Minix 3.0 could be an alternative.

However ... Minix 3.0 is new and QNX is now ~20 years in the RTOS
market, so you have to be realistic :)

> Please note that I have no dispute with QNX.  They make a very fine
> operating system and I enjoyed using it.  I just want an open source
> alternative so I can master the internals (the technical appeal), and
> avoid licensing fees (the commercial appeal).

> Segin wrote:

>>Is this driver of yours comercially developed? And if so,
>>will the Minix version be under a OSI-approved license?

> Since Minix 3 is released under a BSD style license, there is no
> requirement that Armin's driver be released under an OSI approved
> license.  This is the chief non-technical appeal of Minix 3.

> If someone develops generally useful code that runs under Minix 3, they
> should contribute that back to the community since they benefit from
> the generous contributions of others.  But if their value add targets a
> very narrow market where their source would only be of value to their
> direct commercial competitors, they should be free to hold that source
> closed.

> Viral licensing such as the GPL is often a problem for commercial
> developers in niche markets who would otherwise like to develop for
> Linux.  It is great that Minix 3 went with a BSD style license to avoid
> this problem.

Drivers for Minix 3.0 are not kernel modules ... so 'tainted drivers' is
not an issue for Minix 3.0. It is a real big problem with LINUX 2.x ...
as the recent discussion about a kernel driver API for LINUX shows.

LINUX is on the way to loose support for high tech hardware ... graphic
controller a.s.o.

> The ability to hold source closed where warranted should encourage
> Minix 3 adoption, so users who select this path should be respected.
> They contribute in a useful, albeit less direct, manner.

Yes ... the contribution could be to open the doors for new areas of
applications of Minix 3.0.

Regards

--Armin

> Thanks.

> Jim


 
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