Political Blather

[Phil Thayer]

> > Wrong.  Any computer that performs a task contains some 
> kind of code.
> 
> But MP3 is a compression format, not a computer.

So MP3 is a compression format that uncompresses and plays itself with
no assistance from anything else?  What do you think is doing the actual
task of playing the compressed music.

> 
> 
> MP3s don't play on their own, you need an audio player with 
> the proper codec 
> to play them...
> 

Now your just starting to see the light.  What runs and executes that
codec?

> > > > It's a Linux OS that runs that car.  Toyota takes care of your
> > > > licensing, source code and digital medium.
> > >
> > > Ok, so does the car come with the source on a CD, or does 
> it come with a 2
> > > year offer for it?
> 

The manufacturer takes care of whatever licensing issues are involved.

> ...
> 
> > > > Sit and think about how many computers you REALLY have 
> in your house and
> > > > realize that 80-85% of them are running a version of Linux.
> > >
> > > 100% of them are... but they're not embedded...
> >
> > Your probably right about the traditional computers that sit on your
> > desk.  But what about the computer that runs your TV,
> 
> What TV?

Oh yeah.  I forgot.  Sorry.

> 
> > microwave, dishwasher (not the kids), digital alarm clock, 
> 
> If any of these are Linux-based, I certainly didn't get the 
> mandatory source 
> code or offer...

The manufacturer takes care of whatever licensing issues are involved.

> 
> > Stereo, CD/DVD player...
> 
> That's the desktop PC.

Which I'm sure is running some kind of OS.  Or is it just playing the
compressed music files off the CD/DVD with the codec?

> 
> > Think about all the things in your house that are 
> performing automated tasks
> > that were not there 30-40 years ago.  Almost all of them 
> have some type of
> > embedded OS and most of them are using a derivative of Linux now.
> 
> I've never heard of someone's dishwasher, alarm clock, or 
> such coming with a 
> source code offer, let alone CD with the code or printout of 
> the GPL. Unless 
> they're violating the GPL left and right, I doubt many, if 
> any, of these run 
> Linux.

The manufacturer takes care of whatever licensing issues are involved.