RE: [cobalt-users] Cobalt License (Was: Cobalt Racks Question)

["JK" <thejk@xxxxxxxx>]

>At 4/10/01 01:50 PM +0200, you wrote:
>> > Heh. While the behind the scenes Linux/Apache etc. stuff may
>> > be public, you hit it on the head. The Cobalt GUI and their
>> > scripts are what's owned by Cobalt and that's not public domain
>> > by a long shot.
>>
>>Dan, in what way is the Cobalt distribution different from all
>>the other GNU / Linux distributions?  If Cobalt / Sun are saying
>>that their code is not GPL then there's a lot of people out there
>>that I'm sure would be most interested, starting with Messrs
>>Stallman and Torvalds.
>
>Cobalt is, I think, saying that they built the GUI, which
>*interfaces
>with*, but is not based on, the Linux/GPL code. The entire
>system is in
>fact subject to the GPL *except for* the Cobalt GUI, which
>is the primary
>value-added by Cobalt.
>
>Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't think you are wrong. GPL license for Linux only applies to its
kernel, which is my understanding. However, Cobalt *should* make
available a free copy of their Redhat linux distribution (and any mod
done to it) on a public site. That much is required by GPL, and it'd
really help people like me, who do most of admin stuff without Cobalt
GUI anyway. Also, that will make restoring Cobalt after hack much,
much easier. (md5sum , etc.) Am I off-base here?