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Google has stopped pushing Git tags for some Android source code

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Re: Google has stopped pushing Git tags for some Android source code

#71

Post by kllrnohj »

jmole wrote: post #4

“In violation of GPL” is a stretch. Can’t imagine Google is making the process of obtaining source code easier on themselves though. Android has always been more source-open than “open source”. The vast majority of community contributions that make it into the codebase are security fixes and small bug fixes. Everything else is essentially all the work of Google and (to some extent) Samsung.

> Android has always been more source-open than “open source”. The vast majority of community contributions that make it into the codebase are security fixes and small bug fixes.

I believe this isn't actually about "Android" at all but rather Pixel. Android is still openly accessible on git. But the kernel sources for Pixel devices is now behind this big song & dance for some fucking inexcusable reason.

Re: Google has stopped pushing Git tags for some Android source code

#73

Post by ares623 »

cute_boi wrote: post #13
rlpb wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Didn't Google work very hard to avoid any GPL in Android, apart from the kernel? What is in there that is GPL?

I assume Linux. I am very thankful linux is gpl. Because of GPL these tech giants are forced to release source code.

But Linux allowed Tivoization though.

Re: Google has stopped pushing Git tags for some Android source code

#74

Post by mikestorrent »

devy wrote: post #68
bitpush wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Google refusing to do so means Google wants to violate the GPLv2 Not an expert in GPL, but does it say that the source code needs to be provided by a url?

GPL doesn't require them to publish the source in git. FWIW, Google can be compliant and publish the source in Physical Medium too if they opt too. Also, the OP did mentioned that Google also squashed the git commit to a single commit for whatever reason.

Can't wait for pallets of paper to get shipped out to comply maliciously

Re: Google has stopped pushing Git tags for some Android source code

#75

Post by aleph_minus_one »

hatthew wrote: post #19

If you're like me and struggled to parse the title, my understanding is, "To obtain certain source code from Google, you could previously reference git tags, but now you have to fill out a form and wait for a human to give you a google drive link."

> "To obtain certain source code from Google, you could previously reference git tags, but now you have to fill out a form and wait for a human to give you a google drive link."

Couldn't simply someone mirror these Google Drive folders?

Re: Google has stopped pushing Git tags for some Android source code

#76

Post by mikestorrent »

lambda wrote: post #63
paxys wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Doesn’t Apple do the same?

I specifically use Android because of this, among other requirements, that Apple imposes on software development on their platform. I do not own general purpose computers that I am not allowed to develop software for without permission. I have always avoided consoles for that reason as well (Steam Machine and other similar platforms would be fine, but I've been avoiding consoles for long enough that it's not somethin…

Android has been a brutal disappointment on this front since the day it launched. Sure, you could hack various devices and spend too much time on xda-developers and get custom ROMs, but if you compare that to the openness of even a stock Windows PC it's an absolute joke. Android was supposed to be the open Linux phone, when I bought my HTC G1 full of hope; turned into an inferior iPhone wannabe with worse performance and a low quality walled garden that keeps most people in without keeping the trash out.

Time to start over.

Re: Google has stopped pushing Git tags for some Android source code

#78

Post by mjg59 »

aleph_minus_one wrote: post #75
hatthew wrote: post #19

If you're like me and struggled to parse the title, my understanding is, "To obtain certain source code from Google, you could previously reference git tags, but now you have to fill out a form and wait for a human to give you a google drive link."

> "To obtain certain source code from Google, you could previously reference git tags, but now you have to fill out a form and wait for a human to give you a google drive link." Couldn't simply someone mirror these Google Drive folders?

Yes, but that person still needs to file a request and wait several days

Re: Google has stopped pushing Git tags for some Android source code

#79

Post by ajross »

simoncion wrote: post #57
jraph wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> There might be some merit to a claim that Google Drive isn't a medium customarily used for software distribution these days I suppose forcing a means to share the source code could have been too restrictive, but the GPL only speaks about the shape of the source code itself (it should be "the preferred form of the work for making modifications to it"), not how it is shared, so indeed, not a violation of the letter o…

> I suppose forcing a means to share the source code could have been too restrictive, but the GPL only speaks about the shape of the source code itself (it should be "the preferred form of the work for making modifications to it"), not how it is shared... With the greatest of respect, you've forgotten what the licenses say. GPLv2: [0] 3. You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it, under Section 2)…

People are getting way too bent out of shape over that "medium customarily used for software interchange" bit. It doesn't mean github. It doesn't mean "the medium I use most commonly".

Basically, if you think courts are going to be OK with interpreting "download from this FTP site" as acceptable but "download the same tarball from Drive" as unacceptable, you're fooling yourself.

Drive is fine, given the spirit of the license. It's merely inconvenient.

Re: Google has stopped pushing Git tags for some Android source code

#80

Post by mjg59 »

mikestorrent wrote: post #74
devy wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

GPL doesn't require them to publish the source in git. FWIW, Google can be compliant and publish the source in Physical Medium too if they opt too. Also, the OP did mentioned that Google also squashed the git commit to a single commit for whatever reason.

Can't wait for pallets of paper to get shipped out to comply maliciously

The license requires that it be distributed on a medium customarily used for software interchange, and I don't think you'd stand a good chance of arguing that paper satisfies that.
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