[Hero CDMA Android Development] realmrealm:
my $0.02 ......

So I've been following this thread, and wanted to point out a couple things:

1. This thread seems to be about

trying to get HTC to release the source for the kernel

which (it seems like) they modified and if you have a different opinion (you think it's not fair, or something else) you should probably start your own thread and name it "Attempts to stop people from asking HTC to release source", or "I really want to argue with someone".

2. If an attempt is going to be made to get access to this, things need to be more organized. I've seen posts where people have emailed/talked with HTC saying that we need the source: "whenever you can", "right now", "within 10 days", etc... If there is going to be an effort to do this there are a few things that would be good to get everyone on the same page:

- Have we established that we do in fact have the right to have this source code? It seems to me that enough people have quoted sources and such but are we sure?

- If it is just the kernel are we sure that it is enough to substantially help us? Have we consulted with Flipz, toastcfh, or quietcblongs? (from what i understand the biggest reason we want this is more because it will help us in our development (along with upholding the license that htc chose to accept when modifying gpl'd code).) They are the most active devs (it seems) that are working on hero CDMA development, they may have some good input to add

- We need to be very specific and accurate with what we are requesting. (Some people are requesting all the source code, and others the kernel) Lets get the terminology accurate and make sure that we all understand what we are asking for.

- We should draft a letter that everyone uses, this way there is consitincy and we know that what is being requested is accurate. In this letter we should reference the license being violated, give some type of time frame for a response, explain what response is needed, and let them know what we will do if there is not a response (alert the GPL police, or notify the various mobile and android blogs/websites, or contact attorneys)

- We need to be courteous, kind, and patient. Threatening, or mocking is not a response that will be taken very seriously by HTC.

- Lets keep the discussions in this topic clean, if we have to go to the larger community (websites and media) we will probably reference this topic to show what HTC's response has been thus far. If we are swearing and threatening and bickering amongst ourselves we will come off as immature children and it will hurt our cause. ***This was not in response to chuckhriczko, I saw his post above mine after I had already submitted. I have the utmost respect for him and the time and effort he has contributed, this was aimed at some of the other bickering/swearing and that guy who talked about some customer service rep sucking a d!@# :-( grow up man! ***

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This can really be done if it is done right (and we are in the right).

I know some of the people on hear are talking about it not being fair to ask, or it hurting htc to give out the code, or that we think we are so special that we deserve the code, etc..

The way that I look at it is that whether fair or not, whether hurting htc or not, whether entitled or not.... HTC chose to take the work that google has done and use it to their advantage to create an awesome OS on their own hardware without having to pay licensing fees to any company to use the OS. (and to profit handsomely). That's awesome, I'm very happy for them and the success that they have had in android sales, and their upcoming launch of Nexus One. But when they made that decision they entered the city of GPL. They may like the laws (licenses) that govern the city of GPL, or they may hate them, but they chose to live there and are bound by those laws (licenses). It doesn't matter what we think, there are laws (licenses) and if they are in violation then they are in violation. It seems to me that when you take emotion out of this topic it is very black and white...

If I'm wrong please correct me, I am in no way claiming to know all about GPL, or all about the law. I am just a really happy user of a phone that runs on an operating system that is (in my opinion) the best operating system for mobile that I have ever seen, and has a chance to hold that title for a very very long time in the future.

I'm happy to help out with whatever, I have limited time, but a lot of love for android and this community (XDA) that has taught me so much over the last couple months.

...... my $0.02

-AndyS-