i just read something in the latest Linux Journal (p.8) that disturbs me
deeply:
<slug-politics>
"Linus Torvalds has made this very clear: he will accept patches supporting
Digital Rights Management (DRM)...
...Some patches already have been proposed, and by adopting them or others
into the kernel, Linus may be creating a foothold to prevent the eventual
criminalization of free software."
The free-software movement has always advocated two principles of free
software: that it should be free to copy and use without payment (think free
beer) and that it should be free to modify and distribute with few or no
restrictions (think free speech). Linux has been the shining jewel of the
free-software movement. Linus T. as the creator of Linux and it's
"benevolent dictator" has always maintained absolute control over the
development of the Linux kernel. I can't imagine the pressure Linus is
feeling from both DRM and anti-DRM advocates over this matter but the
inclusion of DRM in the kernel coupled with the anti-tampering provisions of
the DMCA will mean that the Linux kernel will no longer be free as in free
speech.
</slug-politics>
i guess i'm more disturbed by what this portends for the near future with
respect to my favorite hobby: hacking Linux.
thor
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