"This argument seems to start from the assumption that any externally maintained kernel code *can* get into the kernel, which doesn't stand up to reality. Once you admit that there is code which, for very good reasons, won't ever be accepted into the mainline kernel tree, what you are saying amounts to: 'Code that isn't fit to be included in the mainline kernel isn't fit to exist at all'," Tilman Schmidt argued during the ongoing debate about whether or not LSM should support modules.

Greg KH responded, "what kind of code is not accepted into the mainline kernel tree for good reasons? What are these reasons? What specific code are you talking about?" He pointed to a wiki page on the Linux Driver Project website and explained, "I'm trying to compile a list of all known external modules and drivers and work to get them included in the main kernel tree to help prevent these kinds of things."

"I should be doing status reports, so here's my first cut at what is happening and what is going on so far. I'll try to do these every few weeks, and I also encourage the project managers of active projects to also do this," explained Greg KH, posting his October 16'th Status Report for the Linux Driver Project. He noted:

"Currently, I'm talking with about 3-4 new companies about more projects, and am working on a list of external modules that need to get cleaned up and added to the kernel tree that this project can help out with.

"But what we are really lacking right now is more companies involvement. If anyone can think of a way to drum up more company interest, please let me know."

Greg then offered a status summary of all six currently active projects, "here's the current projects, and what is going on with them." Drivers currently being developed by the driver project include, "3 i2c devices, a VOIP gateway driver, USB/PCI driver for video timestamp device, highspeed datacapture device driver, and a video digital demodulator driver" Another project is listed as focusing on cleaning up the existing USB driver.

"Sorry for the very long delay in getting this project back up off the ground. When I first announced it back in January, I never expected it to be so popular. Unfortunately, it ended up being pushed way back on my priority list as I had to deal with my day job at Novell first, then my Linux kernel development, then with any spare time left over, this project," Greg KH announced on the newly created Linux Driver Project Developer mailing list. He noted the project's official web page and explained:

"The good news is that this has now changed. As of today, Novell is sponsoring me to work on this Linux driver project as my first priority. This means I will have the time and resources to commit to managing the different developers and driver projects as part of my daily job."

The Linux Driver Project was originally announced in January of 2007.

"The Linux kernel community is offering all companies free Linux driver development," Greg Kroah-Hartman posted in an open offer on the lkml, for all types of devices "from USB toys to PCI video devices to high-speed networking cards." He explains, "all that is needed is some kind of specification that describes how your device works, or the email address of an engineer that is willing to answer questions every once in a while. A few sample devices might be good to have so that debugging doesn't have to be done by email, but if necessary, that can be done." He added, "if your company is worried about NDA issues surrounding your device's specifications, we have arranged a program with OSDL/TLF's Tech Board to provide the legal framework where a company can interact with a member of the kernel community in order to properly assure that all needed NDA requirements are fulfilled." Greg suggests that companies participating can allow their developers to focus on drivers for other operating systems, "and you can add 'supported on Linux' to your product's marketing material." He further explains:

"You will receive a complete and working Linux driver that is added to the main Linux kernel source tree. The driver will be written by some of the members of the Linux kernel developer community (over 1500 strong and growing). This driver will then be automatically included in all Linux distributions, including the 'enterprise ones. It will be automatically kept up to date and working through all Linux kernel API changes. This driver will work with all of the different CPU types supported by Linux (for the CPUs that support the bus types that your device works on), the largest number of CPU types supported by any operating system ever before in the history of computing."