-=No Knoppix kernel headers and source (GPL Violation?)=-
Paul
proceed in caution regardless. This posting is MEANT as an
observation and an opportunity for improvement on what is (for my
purposes) the best linux distribution out there - KNOPPIX.
I won't go into all the features of this distro, just go to google or
www.knoppix.net and you'll get all the information you need and some
darn good community support as well.
I have one significant issue with the Knoppix distro, and that is
their failure to include the kernel headers and source for their
distribution. This makes it very difficult (for me) to do development
work on this as some items (openh323 telephony modules for example)
require the kernel headers and source in order to compile.
Not being faint of heart, I made an attempt to compile my own by
obtaining the kernel source from kernel.org, obtaining the necessary
kernel patches, and scouring suggestions from the Knoppix forum, but
have had no success following any one "recipe". Additionally (and
very important to me for change control purposes) it seems that doing
it this way (homebrewing my own kernel source 2.4.20-xfs ) leaves the
end product open to individual mistakes in a production environment.
An official release of kernel headers and source seems like a
necessary baseline.
Most significantly, it seems that the GPL requires a distributor to
provide this sort of source code if they are to distribute Linux. The
portion of the GPL I am referring to immediately follows this post.
Let me close by saying I DO NOT feel like this is an entitlement due
me or anyone else in the Linux community. Klaus and team have done an
exceptional job on this distro, which is getting better over time.
They have and continue to be outstanding contributors to Linux
adaptation and development. However, I DO feel that this is a
significant technical drawback restricting development on this
distribution, and for good reason is required by the GPL.
Your constructive comments regarding the reasonableness of making an
official REQUEST (please note the choice of word) to the Knoppix
organization are most welcome.
Thanks in advance,
Paul
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Doug Laidlaw
I agree that the headers are necessary. I was unable to compile my Conexant
driver because they weren't there. Iwas advised to download the kernel
source. You seem to be one step further along.
I agree, too that Knoppix is a great achievement.
Doug.
--
Linux: in a world without fences, who needs Gates?