Talk:ODROID
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Open-source hardware?
[edit]“created by Hardkernel Co., Ltd., an open-source hardware company”
Maybe I'm missing something, but I can't see any sign of this on their website. Where are the hardware sources? What licence are they released under?
I also don't see any mention of Odroid or Hardkernel on the Open-source computing hardware list.
—James Haigh (talk) 2014-04-25T22:50:11Z
- "The ODROID means Open + Android"[1]
- "There is no copyright issue on our schematics. It is a sort of open hardware. It is possible to clone the ODROID-U2/U"[2]
- "ODROID(Open-Android) devices are shipped with full source code and schematics."[3]
- "An Open Hardware Single Board Computer with all the Hardware and Features I wished my Raspberry Pi had - ODROID-U3 Community Edition"[4]
- Thank you. Note 3 of your 2nd reference confirms that it is not open hardware:
- “3. We don't supply/sell any PCB design file or Gerber file. Please don't ask about it.”[5]
- —James Haigh (talk) 2014-05-08T17:36:08Z
- Btw. Guy, if you're interested in hardware that really is open, see here:
- —James Haigh (talk) 2014-05-08T18:36:55Z
- I am very familiar with open-source hardware.
- Gerber hardware files are not like software source files. They are like software executables, "compiled" from the hardware equivalent of source files -- the schematic and parts list. If that makes it closed source, them the Linux kernel is closed source on account of only supplying source code, not executables.
- The key fact about a Gerber file is that, like an executable, it cannot be easily modified or studied. Yes, there are utilities which allow you to directly edit a Gerber just as there are utilities that allow you to patch an executable, but the usual (and by far easier) way to make a change is to modify the source/schematic and then recompile/relayout to a new executable/gerber. --Guy Macon (talk) 18:50, 8 May 2014 (UTC)
- It's not a great comparison to use the analogy of the Linux kernel. Hardware is inherently different because it is less malleable; it is relatively easy to recompile the kernel but remaking hardware has a significant cost. If hardware is truly open then one use of the sources is to allow modification to existing instances of that hardware. Yes, hardware mods are like patching a binary, but the limitation on the ‘recompile’ is due to natural production cost rather than copyright restriction.
- Furthermore, ask yourself this: if hardware files are so hard to do anything useful with, then why is the company restricting their availability?
- If you still think Odroid is open hardware, then talk to the people who prevent projects like the Raspberry Pi from being on the open hardware lists for the same reasons.
- —James Haigh (talk) 2014-05-08T21:47:54Z
- I don't need to talk to them, because I am one of them. Something is open-source hardware if there is sufficient documentation under a suitable license so that someone who has the capability of creating hardware can create and sell a working copy of it without infringing on any patents or copyrights. You can do that with Odroid. You can't with Raspberry Pi.
- How does a Gerber file "allow modification to existing instances of that hardware"? By telling you where the traces go when you can easily determine that with visual inspection and an ohmmeter? --Guy Macon (talk) 09:09, 9 May 2014 (UTC)
PCB files
[edit]> the hardware isn't actually open because some parts of the design are retained by the company.[2]
PCB AutoCAD files and full schematics are available for all three of their current boards. Maybe this bit should be removed from article? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.240.134.81 (talk) 17:49, 27 June 2016 (UTC)
Genode on Odroid XU4
[edit]What is the reason for Genode not being able to run on Odroid XU4? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.169.116.21 (talk) 07:44, 11 August 2017 (UTC)
Additional Models
[edit]It appears ODroid also offers HC1, HC2, and MC1. These seem to be worthy of inclusion. For example, HC1 includes SATA 3 support, the HC2 includes USB 3.0, and the MC1 overtly supports clustering... although I suspect the others do as well. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jasonnet (talk • contribs) 04:39, 20 June 2018 (UTC)
Another offered model HC-4 is listed as supported by OpenBSD. Hot basket (talk) 09:45, 18 March 2021 (UTC)