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To: alsa-user@alsa.jcu.cz
Cc: udo_giacomozzi@rolmail.net
From: sharkey@ale.physics.sunysb.edu
Subject: Re: Recommendation for ALSA compat non-CreativeLabs PCI sound card? 
In-reply-to: Your message of "Wed, 10 Feb 1999 18:31:20 +0100."
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Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 11:19:09 +0900
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> >Perhaps you should return it (or sell it/get rid of it) and buy some
> >other card that is supported.
> >
> >I don't really think that supporting the CreativeLabs effort is in the
> >best interests of the open-source software community.
> >
> 
> I don't think I will replace my (new) SB Live!. Sorry, but I really like it
> and your only reason to buy another card is because it is not supported by
> Linux. Besides I asked for the binaries by Creative, not a open-source
> project. What means interest? I don't think it's good if a OS doesn't
> support a popular sound card just because it is covered by an NDA...

If the OS is Linux, then I do.

Since I started using Linux heavily about four years ago, I've gradually
come to recognize the fact that application without source are not anywhere
near as stable as those that come with them.

Now, when you're talking about a closed-source user space application, running
as an ordinary user, the amount of damage this application can do is
limited.  I have and use commercial applications under these conditions.

But when you raise the bar to the kernel level, and you start adding
proprietary, non-disclosed kernel modules to your kernel, then there is no
limit to the damage which can be done.  System hangs and crashes are obvious
possibilities, but it's possible to have data loss or security breaches as
well.

I'm not saying that Creative's code will necessarily be dangerously buggy,
but I am saying that I won't run it on my system, or recommend it for anyone
else.

I *do* think it's good if an OS doesn't support a popular sound card just
because it's covered by an NDA.  I think it's wonderful.  It'll put a little
pressure on Creative to get rid of those silly NDA's on its drivers.
Hardware companies should make money on selling hardware.

My $0.02.

Eric


