Madwifi Project Looking to Found Non-Profit Organization
The developers of the free Madwifi WLAN driver for Atheros chipset-based devices are discussing the foundation of a non-profit organization.
Madwifi developer Michael Renzmann called on the developer mailing list for the project to discuss and decide on the issue in the near future. The developer community had planned to adopt the legal form of a non-profit organization for a long time. The motives are mainly practical: for example, there is no account for donations, because the project lacks a formal body, despite repeated queries on donations.
The alternatives would be joining Software Freedom Conservacy (SFC), who provide financial and legal support to Open Source projects, or Software in the Public Interest (SPI) who support software development and distribution. In an approach typical of developers, the Madwifi.org people have set up a ticket list for completion. The Wiki on the project homepage provides background information and topics for discussion on the planned institutionalization.
Up to 2005, just a few developers were responsible for the original BSD version and the Linux version of the Madwifi driver. One of them is the creator of the first Madwifi driver for BSD, Sam Leffler. Sam and the man behind the first Linux port, Greg Chesson, gave up driver development early in 2005, but volunteers interested in continuing the project were soon forthcoming. Since then, the Madwifi project has been a loosely knit developer community with its own project website, a Wiki, mailing lists and IRC chats.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.