I-Appliance BBS
The Official Source for Internet Appliance Upgrades and Mods		 Amazon Honor System Click Here to Pay Learn More
BBS Main List | Sign In | Sign Up | Search | Help | Linux-Hacker.netReply to Thread | Printer |

Home / Other I-Appliances / Virgin Webplayer
It looks like Linux...invoke the GPL?

New MessageIt looks like Linux...invoke the GPL? (modified 0 times) gpl monger
3 things:

1) the socket the DOC is in could be redone as a ZIF to minimize chip damage
2) If the box is using GPLed code....where is the source code?
3) Remember FreePC? If Virgin doesn't make the money they feel they should be off the box, they will bail on the service. (That is why they gave away the 1st 10,000 machines. As we didn't pay, they don't HAVE to preform.)

05-02-2000 05:19:26

New MessageRE:It looks like Linux...invoke the GPL? (modified 0 times) Datoyminaytah
Interesting. Does the TOS say what happens if Virgin cancels the service? Can they ask everyone to send their units back or charge them $500?
05-02-2000 08:34:16

New MessageRE:It looks like Linux...invoke the GPL? (modified 0 times) Hagop
The Webplayer is a different concept from the FreePC -- not only does it generate revenues from placing ads, but it is also meant to be a branding mechanism for Virgin. i.e. a way for Virgin's name and logo to get into people's homes.
05-02-2000 09:20:36

New MessageRE:It looks like Linux...invoke the GPL? (modified 0 times) Metoo
Almost positive that the TOS does state that Virgin can cancle service and require you to return the unit. By the way-the screen is really small-the unit is really slow and weak and the wireless keyboard is useless because unless you use binoculars to read the screen you cannot sit back far enough for it to be cool. I will keep it because I can take it with me to work and hide it in my desk drawer and surf when I want to-cannot do that with a P3 box! But-Ihave an old Pentium 100 that I use as an Mp3 server with a 8.4gig hd and that smokes this unit all day-I'd rather surf on that w/33.6 than the Virgin box.
05-02-2000 21:31:45

New MessageRE:It looks like Linux...invoke the GPL? (modified 0 times) Stradlin
After doing some research, the OS "officially" is Windriver's VxWorks. Here's a link to the site with all the manuals and such (incl programmer's guide):
http://www.windriver.com/products/html/vxwks54.html

I don't know anything about programming, but maybe this'll help someone hack this unit.

05-04-2000 01:08:45

New MessageRE:It looks like Linux...invoke the GPL? (modified 0 times) jelwell
http://www.merinta.com/news/release000411.html
It's not VX anything. It's linux for god's sake. I know - I have one. Linux! Linux! Linux! not java, merinta, makers of the Ibrow have recently converted their newer systems to some other platform, presumably some Java VM. But the Virgin Webplayer is running Linux.

I tried emailing virginconnectme.com, merinta, boundless, and a merinta rep. for the Source of the kernel on the machine - they all snubbed me. No response - not a single response.

If anyone knows how to force them to give up the code, let me know.
jelwell@yahoo.com
Joseph Elwell.

07-14-2000 18:13:38

New MessageRE:It looks like Linux...invoke the GPL? (modified 0 times) NickName
I worked at Boundless Technologies/Merinta, the manufacturer of the VWP, and it is absolutely the Linux O/S, 2.2.14 kernel. This company has several violations of the GPL, mainly not releasing their mods of the source code (kernel code, PPP, XF86, LILO, etc.). I have removed the DOC, and have copied the FS, to confirm it is LINUX.
07-15-2000 23:59:55

New MessageRE:It looks like Linux...invoke the GPL? (modified 0 times) NickName
I worked at Boundless Technologies/Merinta, the manufacturer of the VWP, and it is absolutely the Linux O/S, 2.2.14 kernel. This company has several violations of the GPL, mainly not releasing their mods of the source code (kernel code, PPP, XF86, LILO, etc.). I have removed the DOC, and have copied the FS, to confirm it is LINUX.
07-16-2000 00:00:40

New MessageRE:It looks like Linux...invoke the GPL? (modified 0 times) gplmonger
Profile
Slasdot doesn't want to carry a story about the GPL violation, and Bruce Perens doesn't believe it, as he doesn't "OWN" one of these boxes.

Anyone ELSE wanna try to get the word out beyond this digital forum about the GPL violation?

07-20-2000 11:37:37

New MessageRE:It looks like Linux...invoke the GPL? (modified 0 times) iogenie
Profile
Hey NickName,

You wouldn't happen to know the bios password (or a way of cracking it), would you?

07-20-2000 14:13:51

New MessageRE:It looks like Linux...invoke the GPL? (modified 0 times) Eric
Profile
THOUGHT: Perhaps someone with a EPROM burner can pull the flash chip and read it, or if they can live without the unit for a few days, send it to Jack at BadFlash or something. Perhaps you can get lucky and that the password will be obvious inside the dump of the file (I'm betting it will be)
07-20-2000 21:37:50

New MessageRE:It looks like Linux...invoke the GPL? (modified 0 times) Eric
Profile
THOUGHT: Perhaps someone with a EPROM burner can pull the flash chip and read it, or if they can live without the unit for a few days, send it to Jack at BadFlash or something. Perhaps you can get lucky and that the password will be obvious inside the dump of the file (I'm betting it will be)
07-20-2000 21:56:25

Reply to Thread | Printer |
All times are PSTPowered by UltraBoard v1.62


Copyright © 2000, Netmake Inc. All Rights Reserved.
See Terms and Conditions for more information.




i-opener opener laptop notebook computer help drivers dll free windows dos repair fix linux mac macintosh 2000 95 98 nt pc configure hardware software sound video netscape explorer network networking lan wan software cmos fat bios printer card mouse modem ide scsi cd rom controllers scanner tape hard drive cgi scripts source code mp3