alt Hacker NewsMacos contains elements that are open licensed. Many linux distros contain elements that are closed source. Where is the line?
This law describes as a true-false something that is not only true or false. This law is poorly written. Amending it didn’t fix that.
Replies
SahAssar • today at 8:59 AM
Basically all linux distros fully run without the closed source parts, they are only there to provide support for specific hardware. MacOS on the other hand cannot run at all without the closed source parts.
card_zero • today at 8:46 AM
Call in a Reasonable Person, when the position of the line is in question.
The line is that an open Linux distribution will boot and run on hardware that is sufficiently compatible.
The full MacOS as distributed by Apple is engineered to require closed source, non-redistributabe components even on the hardware it is most compatible with. It will completely stop functioning if you remove those parts. The presence of freely licensed components becomes de facto irrelevant.