site_archiver@lists.apple.com Delivered-To: darwin-dev@lists.apple.com On 4 Jun, Kevin Van Vechten wrote:

I can confirm that no source code for AppleACPIPlatform is or ever has been available. AppleACPIPlatform is not unique in this regard, and there are many other examples of binary-only drivers for Darwin.

The AppleACPIPlatform driver is unique in that it replaced working code, which is required for the operating system to boot. This is no mere peripheral hardware driver. In order to have a free and open source operating system, it is required that the kernel and necessary drivers be released under a FOSS agreement, such as APSL. We have a substantial amount of investment in a system which may or may not be free according to public announcements. We need a real commitment from Apple. Is Darwin OS "open source", or is it not? If not, then our risk has failed. I am sorry to hear that you perceived the environment as incendiary. Let me assure you that I believe that Apple will free the sources in due course, but it is taking too long. They would get further with the developer community if they mitigated the risk of the developer community. The best way to do that is to make Darwin a free and open source OS, fully and completely, and to make it explicitly permanent that it will remain such. It is arguable that that is one intention of the APSL agreement to which we are a party. Regards, proclus http://www.gnu-darwin.org/ -- Visit proclus realm! http://proclus.tripod.com/ -----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK----- Version: 3.1 GMU/S d+@ s: a+ C++++ UBULI++++$ P+ L+++(++++) E--- W++ N- !o K- w--- !O M++@ V-- PS+++ PE Y+ PGP-- t+++(+) 5+++ X+ R tv-(--)@ b !DI D- G e++++ h--- r+++ y++++ ------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------ _______________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored. Darwin-dev mailing list (Darwin-dev@lists.apple.com) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: http://lists.apple.com/mailman/options/darwin-dev/site_archiver%40lists.appl... This email sent to site_archiver@lists.apple.com pgpMjtteBkfF7.pgp