> 
> So I'm wondering what the best thing to do would be. I'd like to suggest
> (for discussion, of course) we think about something FreeBSD has done.
> They have a sys/gnu directory which contains GPL'd things some people want
> in a kernel. I gather the idea is that you can make your own kernel using
> these parts, you just can't distribute it (because of the restriction in
> GPL concerning other code it is linked with).
> 
> Another possability would be for us to expand on the lkm support we are
> growing. It is (as someone specifically asked the FSF folks) kosher to
> make a wholely-GPL'd lkm and then load it into a wholely non-GPL'd kernel.
> 
I believe that the LKM approach is the most desired on FreeBSD...  We do
support a LKMed EXT2FS (I believe.)

>
> Two other options are to get the authors to distribute the code under a
> more-flexable license or to re-write it all ourselves. The former works,
> and the latter, well, it works but it reduces the size of the user base
> for the code (we might miss out on bug fixes/enhancements due to fewer
> users & programmers).
> 
I am willing to help someone who would come up with a truely free
ext2fs!!!

John
dyson@freebsd.org