IIRC, Linksys originally used a Linux variant for its firmware (I've forgotten the details of the transitions that the "L" model line went through.)
So... not entirely a "capitalist corporation" product.
Also, having spent a number of years in the seat at one of those corporations, I was not infrequently pissed at how often / how much they were taking a "free ride" on "free" software products without contributing back to the respective software projects, in code/support nor in dollars.
A "capitalist" is not infrequently a self-serving opportunist. Some of the more obnoxious of them thinking that "they" are the "magic factor", rather than all the shared wealth they rest upon.
EDIT: My mistake, it was the "G" line that was originally based on Linux:
The "GL" and similar are a subset of this line, that provided Linux support after they switched the "G" line to vxWorks. I don't recall and don't feel like digging up all the details, but I seem to recall there was some tension in their initial use of Linux that may have ultimately contributed to the "G" line being and staying as open, firmwarewise, as it has been.
Anyone, feel free to correct me on my deficiencies of memory and/or understanding.
Comments
IIRC, Linksys originally used a Linux variant for its firmware (I've forgotten the details of the transitions that the "L" model line went through.)
So... not entirely a "capitalist corporation" product.
Also, having spent a number of years in the seat at one of those corporations, I was not infrequently pissed at how often / how much they were taking a "free ride" on "free" software products without contributing back to the respective software projects, in code/support nor in dollars.
A "capitalist" is not infrequently a self-serving opportunist. Some of the more obnoxious of them thinking that "they" are the "magic factor", rather than all the shared wealth they rest upon.
EDIT: My mistake, it was the "G" line that was originally based on Linux:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series
The "GL" and similar are a subset of this line, that provided Linux support after they switched the "G" line to vxWorks. I don't recall and don't feel like digging up all the details, but I seem to recall there was some tension in their initial use of Linux that may have ultimately contributed to the "G" line being and staying as open, firmwarewise, as it has been.
Anyone, feel free to correct me on my deficiencies of memory and/or understanding.