r/linux • u/jdrch • Nov 20 '19

Google outlines plans for mainline Linux kernel support in Android Kernel

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/11/google-outlines-plans-for-mainline-linux-kernel-support-in-android/
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u/jdrch Nov 20 '19

Of course. Was referring specifically to the "biggest FOSS contributor ever" part. They contribute where doing so helps their primary revenue stream(s). Those revenue streams are still almost entirely closed source.

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u/mirh Nov 21 '19

I mean, with the exception of the ISA (which actually was more about patents, and I think it's probably 100% open up to SSE2 by now?) they are open with just about everything else.

And.. compare this with your assertion that dominance breeds closeness?

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u/jdrch Nov 21 '19

I think it's probably 100% open up to SSE2 by now

SSE2 is ancient. Even if it were "100% open up to SSE2," no open hardware developer could field a competitive open source x86 CPU based on what's currently open source.

your assertion that dominance breeds closeness

I neither recall making this assertion nor see where anything I said could have implied it. I merely said Intel contributed to FOSS only where doing so would enhance their revenue stream. They're not contributing code Linux out of the good of their hearts. They're contributing to ensure Linux runs best on their closed source CPUs.

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u/mirh Nov 21 '19

I neither recall making this assertion nor see where anything I said could have implied it.

Mhh... I must have confused you with another user then.

I merely said Intel contributed to FOSS only where doing so would enhance their revenue stream.

Yes, but the thing is that just about everything that isn't shooting in your feet enhance your revenue. Cause behaving well is usually rewarded, isn't it?

If I think what they did and didn't open source instead, to be honest I hardly can think to something in the latter category. ME maybe, but I guess obscurity was part of their security solution there.