[Arm-netbook] FSF-Endorseable Processor

[luke.leighton]

On Wed, Dec 5, 2012 at 8:25 AM, Simon Kenyon <simon at koala.ie> wrote:
> On 12/05/12 08:20, luke.leighton wrote:
>>   so i really really *can't* say "it's open source" - it's too broad.
>
> i've got lost in all this. what licence does it use?

 :)   the question itself shows the source of confusion.  hope i can clarify

 * the processor is a proprietary design.  its design (netlists) are
*not* available under any type of open license or free software
license.  much as i would like them to be.

 * the processor can run any binaries.  it is, after all, a
general-purpose processor.  the license of the software that runs on a
general-purpose processor has absolutely no bearing, relation,
influence or any correlation OF ANY KIND, and this processor will be
no exception to that general rule.

so... why bother at all with this exercise?

 * because there does not exist - and i really am not kidding about
this - there does not exist ANYWHERE in the world a low-power embedded
processor that is both desirable to mass-volume manufacturers (i.e.
can do 1080p30 at least and modern 3D graphics) *and* is at the same
time FSF-Endorseable according to the criteria listed on the FSF's web
site.

* it just so happens that by _not_ having any proprietary hardware
acceleration macros (and associated proprietary unreliable software
libraries) that this makes the development process a hell of a lot
easier.  that's the business case.

l.