Open-source Darwin? Not yet
updated 01:20 pm EDT, Wed August 9, 2006
Apple limits Darwin access
Apple is stonewalling open-source developers despite the company's recent release of much of the Mac OS X Tiger kernel source code, according to Proclus, administrator of the GNU-Darwin Distribution. "In order to have a free and open source (FOSS) [operating] system, two things are necessary. First, all the necessary source code must be obtainable by anyone, and second the system must obviously be bootable in order to use it," Proclus told MacNN. "Darwin OS is not bootable without the AppleACPIPlatform driver, which is closed source [and proprietary] at this time."
Proclus said the team needs more information about building kernel extensions, and volunteered to help Apple in that area. The developer also expressed the need for the GNU-Darwin Distribution to see the source code for the AppleACPIPlatform driver -- which is necessary to boot the current Darwin OS -- or to receive a replacement driver. Apple replied, saying that it could not make the requested sources available.
"From a certain standpoint, it is a joke to release the kernel source code without releasing the AppleACPIPlatform driver," said Proclus. "As a result, people are getting disinformed now."
The AppleACPIPlatform is a fundamental hardware driver which is loaded at boot time. The driver is required before Darwin can be a FOSS operating system again, according to Proclus, and any claim that Darwin is again FOSS would be misleading at this time.
"Either Apple can release the source code for this one driver, or a new replacement driver can be built by the developer community. Obviously GNU-Darwin would like to see that happen."
The GNU-Darwin Distribution predates OpenDarwin as a distributor of Darwin-related software and sources, pledging to continue operations despite OpenDarwin's recent closure.
"We would like to maintain concurrency with Apple's version of Darwin, so that we can better serve the Apple community by providing our free software offerings to them, both now and in the future," said Proclus. "We provide many thousands of free software packages in addition to the operating system and source code. We also make a point of educating and helping people understand software freedom and open source."
Nice rant
08/09, 01:33pm reply
Why are we posting what is essentially a rant by Proclus? Darwin is not a GNU system, and AFAIK never has been.
There is no value in Darwin being a standalone free operating system. The last 5 years have shown that. There is definite use to software developers having source access, but that goal has already been met.
Whine somewhere else.
diamondsw
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
yeah..
08/09, 01:38pm reply
Apple should wake up and listen to some one that goes by Proclus. I can hear it now...
Steve Jobs: Someone call up Proclus and ask him about Open Darwin! If he's not there call 31337 h**** or someone like that.
j0nkatz
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Would you like...
08/09, 01:55pm reply
...some whine with that rant, Proclus...?
ZinkDifferent
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2005
Isn't this about another
08/09, 02:02pm reply
Isn't this about another issue, of Apple attempting to capitalize on the open source movement without actually being a fully committed contributor? Sort of like their use of the term UNIX without licensing it through proper channels? I'm sure both issues are a lot more complicated, but reports on these issues don't paint Apple with a flattering brush.
debohun
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 1999
re:about another
08/09, 02:49pm reply
I see Apple as contributing by opening as much as they do. Would you prefer Apple invent tons of standards come up with three letter monickers that start with X and then try to force them as a standard? ... not implying anything bad about companies whose names start with M and end in icrosoft.
Jonaziz
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Joined: Jul 2006
re: about another
08/09, 02:55pm reply
Reader "debohun" should inform himself/herself before making such ridiculous comments. Apple DOES contribute to a LOT of open source projects in a fully open way. This one issue in no way makes Apple less of an open source contributor. It sounds like Apple releases this piece as a binary (?) and Proclus is complaining that he doesn't have the source. That in no way makes Apple less of an Open Source contributor.
chadpengar
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2001
here's the choice
08/09, 03:43pm reply
stand on the OSS principles and watch as apple goes away from piracy and has zero contributions to OSS
or get 99.99999% of their platform as OSS and reap the benefits of webkit, bonjour, etc.
jpellino
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 1999
This is not a news story
08/09, 06:16pm reply
I can't believe that MacNN ran this as a news story. This is a rant by some teenage kid that Apple won't give him the majic key that would let the OS run on any Intel Box. If is ANYTHING else than tell us why you need access to the source of that driver. Proclus tell us why you need access to it and why the OS is not open source if you can't get it.
mrburke
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2006
zealots
08/10, 09:19am reply
So many zealots in this thread. He may or may not be "teenage kid", but as administrator of a Darwin distro, he knows a bit about how Apple handles open-source.
Apple pushed Darwin as a complete operating system that actually booted and people invested their time in it. They took their time releasing the Darwin source, failing to explain why (obviously they don't mind losing open-source developers on it) and now apparently they release it without the necessary bits to boot - the "majic [sic] key" if you will. That's news-worthy.
clebin
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2000
Darwin Boots !
08/10, 01:39pm reply
clebin,
Darwin does boot. You need the use the apple suppled driver. This driver contains apple's DRM code and therefore can not realisticly be open source. So I state my point again this is not news worthy and it is very missleading to day that Darwin is not open. And once again all ask the question: "Why does anyone need the source to this driver?"
mrburke
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Joined: Aug 2006