There may not be much of a choice given Windows' current dominance and the
fact that if you want to be able to read electronic materials or listen to
digital music, in the near future your player or reader will have to support
some kind of DRM.
If Linus is smart (and I assume he is), DRM support would be in the form of a
module that can be compiled into the kernel or not at the end-user's
discretion.
SWB
--- thor_consulting@yahoo.com wrote:
> 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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=====
Steven W. Buehler | swbuehler@yahoo.com
Web Site: http://www.sanctuaryweb.org
Music Site: http://www.mp3.com/renaitre
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