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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Linux 6.6 To Better Protect Against The Illicit Behavior Of NVIDIA's Proprietary Driver (www.phoronix.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Luis Chamberlain sent out the modules changes today for the Linux 6.6 merge window. Most notable with the modules update is a change that better builds up the defenses against NVIDIA's proprietary kernel driver from using GPL-only symbols. Or in other words, bits that only true open-source drivers should be utilizing and not proprietary kernel drivers like NVIDIA's default Linux driver in respecting the original kernel code author's intent.

Back in 2020 when the original defense was added, NVIDIA recommended avoiding the Linux 5.9 for the time being. They ended up having a supported driver several weeks later. It will be interesting to see this time how long Linux 6.6+ thwarts their kernel driver.

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[–] [email protected] -4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Is it possible that by revealing their drivers they would also reveal something about their industry designs?

I mean, just building the hardware and letting the community do all the work on drivers for free would be better, if they don't do it there must be a valid reason I think.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

I mean, they make money of selling the hardware from what I understand. Maybe I'm misunderstanding, and that's the problem. Maybe they make money off the driver's too.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Their drivers were already leaked, any secrets they were trying to hide are out in the wild, so that point is moot.