I find this conversation, and the previous one, instructive.
The discussion illustrates the challenge that Linux has accommodating third parties. Two entire classes of software are categorically unable to embrace the 'rules' of open software, the graphics folks and the wireless folks (and to some extent the Printer folks). This has meant that these areas generally had a much poorer to non-existent user experience for Linux users than users of systems with support for IP protection built into them.
I think the 'shim' model is certainly one way to compromise here. I think the Raspberry Pi folks have done a great service to developers by helping this get done.
The discussion illustrates the challenge that Linux has accommodating third parties. Two entire classes of software are categorically unable to embrace the 'rules' of open software, the graphics folks and the wireless folks (and to some extent the Printer folks). This has meant that these areas generally had a much poorer to non-existent user experience for Linux users than users of systems with support for IP protection built into them.
I think the 'shim' model is certainly one way to compromise here. I think the Raspberry Pi folks have done a great service to developers by helping this get done.