Doubts dog anonymous Thinkpad code for Linux kernel
DOUBTS have arisen over lines of code an anonymous submitter sent to the Linux kernel mailing list on August 6th. The programmer is hiding behind a pseudonym, Shem Multinymous. Fellow Kernel programmers are divided over accepting the code or not.
The anonymous code improves a driver for an embedded controller in IBM Thinkpads. Linux users with such laptops use it to protect their hard disks from sudden shocks, for example when dropping them from their laps.
The use of this chip has been a default for years on Thinkpads running Microsoft Windows. IBM and Lenovo refuse to port the so-called 'active protection system' to Linux, claiming that patents prevent it from divulging details, so last summer, Linux programmers started to reverse-engineer the driver.
Novell programmer Robert Love, who developed a previous version of the driver, glanced over Multinymous' code: "I am glad someone has apparently better access to hardware specs than I did."
- Login or register to post comments
- Printer-friendly version
- 1248 reads
- PDF version
More in Tux Machines
- Highlights
- Front Page
- Latest Headlines
- Archive
- Recent comments
- All-Time Popular Stories
- Hot Topics
- New Members
digiKam 7.7.0 is releasedAfter three months of active maintenance and another bug triage, the digiKam team is proud to present version 7.7.0 of its open source digital photo manager. See below the list of most important features coming with this release. |
Dilution and Misuse of the "Linux" Brand
|
Samsung, Red Hat to Work on Linux Drivers for Future TechThe metaverse is expected to uproot system design as we know it, and Samsung is one of many hardware vendors re-imagining data center infrastructure in preparation for a parallel 3D world. Samsung is working on new memory technologies that provide faster bandwidth inside hardware for data to travel between CPUs, storage and other computing resources. The company also announced it was partnering with Red Hat to ensure these technologies have Linux compatibility. |
today's howtos
|
Recent comments
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago