LXer: The ZFS Linux Module Goes Into Closed Beta
 

Published at LXer:

We reported last month that a native ZFS module was coming to Linux and would be released in mid-September. Rather than using ZFS-FUSE that runs the Sun/Oracle ZFS file-system under the FUSE module so that it lives outside the Linux kernel (and runs rather slowly as our benchmarks show), this new ZFS module is native to Linux and open-source but due to the CDDL license it's being distributed as a module and will not be included in the mainline Linux kernel. This module has now entered a closed beta testing process.

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Yuck! Another binary blob. That's the last thing we need: FOSS isn't FOSS without a completely open development process.

Ok; don't use any ATI or NVIDIA products and see how well your desktop runs. As far as I know, even Intel provides only a binary for their graphics drivers. FOSS is one thing, but I am willing to accept binary-only drivers if I can at least get 2d/3d acceleration working and such.

Since you are so militantly FOSS, and against all inclusion of any BLOBs, no exceptions, by all means why not go with OpenBSD? Then again, I guarantee that you will be running back to *buntu sure enough.

I can see binary blobs being used for devices (although I would rather not have them, but if they are the only thing available I would have to use them), but not for file systems. A binary blob for an FS is completely unnecessary, as a file system is basically a disk format that the entire OS requires in order to even install.

While for the most part I agree with your post (I use the binary "blob" NVIDIA drivers myself; I likes my 3D acceleration :D), I have to question this statement. AFAIK xf86-video-intel provides 3D acceleration (I could get Compiz working on my Arch box with an Intel 82865G POS and it actually worked pretty decently) and is FOSS.

Sorry I just assumed, because I wouldn't have guessed that intel chips have been reverse-engineered to the point of 99%(?) perfect working state. Nor would I think that Intel themselves would provide source to their graphics cards?

They do. I am using the FOSS Intel driver on my Acer netbook and I can run not only Compiz but also GNOME Shell just fine. Intel also created Moblin Linux and opened up the code, even handed it over to the Linux foundation! That's why when I found out Intel bought McAfee, I thought Intel would actually put McAfee under an open source license.

I am actually surprised. That is cool though, and I might consider an Intel graphics for a future system. Sure it is not known for the 'performance' of NVIDIA or even ATI, but I am not really looking for a gaming machine. Although the only 'heavy' computational tasks I plan to do is VMs, Blender3D, and perhaps the only 'gaming' would be emulating 8-16-32-64(maybe)-bit consoles.