Modem Router

[Dave Hall]

Hi Martin,

On Sun, 2009-09-13 at 08:55 +1000, Martin Visser wrote:
> On Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 8:12 PM, Dave Hall <dave.hall at skwashd.com>
> wrote:
>         
>         The ugly
>         Linksys aren't so FOSS friendly since Cisco took over.
>         
>         Cheers
>         
> 
> I think your view on Linksys needs to be updated, and is almost
> diametrically opposed to the facts. Yes, a number of years ago they
> were "found out" in that they were basically not complying with GPL
> requirements. However since then they have seen the error of their
> ways - http://www.linksysbycisco.com/gpl

Sorry, but I think it is you who is relying on out of date information.
Here is a list of FOSS unfriendly things Linksys has done in recent
years.

* Made the webgui for some of their mid range managed switches IE only.
http://davehall.com.au/blog/dave/2007/12/07/linksys-will-fix-srw224g4-firmware-eventually (this has never been fixed)

* Only legal action by the FSF for GPL violations got Cisco/Linksys to
comply with the GPL
http://www.fsf.org/news/2009-05-cisco-settlement.html

* The "L" models in the Linksys range are a scam.  They generally cut
the hardware specs in the standard version - such as WRT54G - but fail
to cut the price.  Linksys then release the old better spec'd hardware
at a higher price and make a big deal about how FOSS friendly they are.

* Linksys is owned by Cisco who threatened patent litigation against
OpenBSD for the development of CARP.
http://www.openbsd.org/lyrics.html#35

There are other examples of how anti FOSS Linksys and Cisco are.

Cheers

Dave