Show Stoppers, OS X vs. BSD & Gnu-Linux

I hate how Free OS critics attempt to undermine projects by mentioning that little things here and there don’t work or configure easily on BSDs or Gnu-Linux distros as they do on Windows or OS X (yes, I know what it’s based on). They list them as “show stoppers” as in they stop users from taking up these other OSes. In response, I’ve compiled a small list of OS X failures. Keep in mind, this is not comprehensive at all, but just to make a point.

Broadcom Email 2-Airport Extreme

Concerning Releasing Airport Extreme Source Code

This is the second set of my email dialogs with Broadcom concerning Free Software support (or lack thereof) for hardware they produced. I’ll let you decide if they are unco-operative. In the interest of keeping the correspondence in as pristine condition as possible, I’ve left them in WinTel email form, or lack of form. I’ve added a few editorial comments in red.

Maurice,

Broadcom is in the process of reviewing our linux support policy. As it stands now there are solutions on the market for linux users to use Broadcom equipment [Really? What viable alternatives are there? Read below for one that might have been viable if the manufacturers had complied with GPL obligations.]. And we do comply with all open-source regs [Well then release the source.]. However, to get open-source code you will have to go to the manufacture of the product [Don't you make the Airport Extreme chipset?]. I’m sorry I am not familiar with the Apple product specifically, but I know that Linksys has post source for their Broadcom base wireless router [Are you suggesting that they passed the buck to yourselves or are you passing it to them? Regardless, here is an admittance that the Airport Extreme is based on Free Source code. It presumably refers to the Linksys WRT54G, which used Free Source code as per <http://www.ussg.iu.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/0309.3/0904.html>; The article mentioned details how Linksys has NOT complied with G.P.L. obligations and withholds static kernel module source code. This lack of co-operation has hindered the Free Source development of the code, and corresponding hardware support. To add to this fiasco, the creator of Snort alleges that the Broadcom 4300 series wireless nic violates his program because,

Broadcom Email 1-Airport Extreme

Concerning Releasing Airport Extreme Source Code …

This is the first set of my email dialogs with Broadcom concerning Free Software support (or lack thereof) for hardware they produced. I’ll let you decide if they are unco-operative. In the interest of keeping the correspondence in as pristine condition as possible, I’ve left them in WinTel email form, or lack of form. I’ve added a few editorial comments in red.

Early 2004 iBook Review

I seem to recall Apple advertising that the plastic that composes my iBook’s case was shatter resistant space age technology. Well for something so advanced, it scratches like hell. Even my case scratches it. I gather this serves as motivation to purchase over priced “official” cases and sleeves. Upon plugging in my earphones, I noticed the female receptor cover popped out; This required the the motherboard to be replaced. At about the same time I noticed the screen bezel had a bubble. I was told that the screen “might” have to be replaced. I waited sometime and finally the L.C.D. screen arrived, but broken.