GP2X Linux Handheld Makers Don't Understand GPL

Bjimba writes "Apparently, the developer community is having a lot of trouble convincing the makers of the GP2X Linux handheld to comply with the GPL by releasing source at the same time as binary firmware releases. This link leads to a synopsis of the issue, and yes, it's my own blog, but there's no ads."

He's right about one thing

[Mateito]

Forbidden
You don't have permission to access /2006/01/gp2x-needs-gpl-lesson.html on this server.

Yep. There "is" no ads at all!

Linus once said

[biocute]

Never trust someone who writes GPL with a stylized L.

A more important question is, what can the Open Source community do about it? Legally and Koreanly?

sigh....

[dr_labrat]

You will resp*ect*
Mah Authora*taih*.
gad dammit

Another blog. another bloog.

Re:Only to be expected

[Dionysus]

So, basically, South Korea or China is the ideal when it comes to GPL, since FSF doesn't believe in ownership of software [gnu.org], and neither do these guys

Re:First time I have heard of GP2X

[Bromskloss]

Just don't rape their bandwidth :)

Nooo, we, the Slashdot horde, wouldn't treat the GPL infidels like that, would we?

Re:Violated?

[Hal_Porter]

Well according to the GPL version 4, if you kill companies that violate the GPL, you will spend eternity in heaven with 72 virgins.

Cynics have said that the virgins are male and it just feels like eternity, but they are probably shills in the service of Microsoft, the Great Satan of software.

Re:The Solution:

[ZachPruckowski]

Re-post daily until GP2X concedes.

But that raises a giant moral issue: "Is duping OK if done for a good reason?" Man, that's deep.

Re:Lesson 1

[hobbesx]

Well! Why didn't someone say anything sooner?
Here's your problem:

??(copying)? ??(modification) ? ??(distribution)? ??? ???? ??? ???

Inflationary trends in virgins

[IgnoramusMaximus]

I swear there is some kind of virgin devaluation thing going on here, last I heard it was said that there were 7 virgins to be had for perishing in some jihad de jeur. Now its 72. Makes me wonder. Either the quality of the virigins is not what was expected and they are trying to make up for it in quantity, there is waning interest from the would-be jihadis and the ante has to go up (unlikely judging by the news), or the jihadis are being influenced by the Great Satan of the Internet and have concluded after watching some of the moving pictures present there that 7 naughty women is what every godless westerner gets without even having to read the Qur'an. Someone figure this out, it might be of a profound geopolitical significance.

Re:Violated?

[Anonymous Coward]

I didn't want to do this. I'm afraid I'm going to have to pull rank on you here. I'm with the mattress police. There are no tags on any of these mattresses.

Re:Hackerslab

[Slashcrap]

They are doing security and hacking of some time and maybe if there are bugs on this device it could be a security problem and that would also be up their alley?

It's a handheld game console! Exactly what kind of security bugs are you expecting? I can just imagine the security advisory :

Risk: Critically high with bells on

Summary: Slashcrap Sec Labs have discovered a priviledge elevation flaw in the version of the Linux kernel distributed with the GP2X console.

Attack vector: By manufacturing a specially crafted game cartridge and persuading users to buy it (e.g by means of an e-mail or web site), a malicious attacker can gain root priviledges which could lead to the theft of the user's save games and possible disclosure of high scores.

Mitigation: A successful attack would require that the user connects their GP2X to the Internet with a publicly routable IP address. This may also require persuading the user to buy and install additional hardware, which could be accomplished through "social engineering".

About Slashcrap Sec Labs: Slashcrap is the manufacturer of the industry leading Snake Oil(TM) product, the world's premier security pacacea. By covering your GP2X in Snake Oil(TM) you will be immune to this attack and any that may be discovered in the future.