LinuxWorld: Kernel Space: Why Binary-Only Modules Were Not Banned

“For a moment, it seemed like things could happen pretty
quickly. Martin Bligh suggested that, rather than trying to
nickel-and-dime binary modules to death, it would be more honest to
just ban them outright. Andrew Morton spoke out in favor of the
idea as long as a one-year warning was provided. Greg Kroah-Hartman
hacked up a patch to insert the warning. And Linus, at the outset,
restricted himself to commenting on Greg’s poetry.

“The tide turned just as quickly, however. Linus spoke out
against the change, and Greg withdrew it. It would appear that
binary-only modules will continue to be loadable into the kernel
for the foreseeable future–though other hazards may await those
who distribute them…”

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