There is quite a respectable number of consumer appliances that have an Open
Source operating system under their hoods, even though the fact isn’t
publicized (nor is it usually kept secret, either). I have at least two of
them, a WRT54GL and an NSLU2, both by Linksys. Often the
manufacturers publish the Open Source–based code and some clever people take
that and add features or capabilities to the devices that make them much more
versatile. Case in point is a LinkStation PRO which comes with a nice
looking (if terribly slow) Web interface. The device as such is useful enough
(in a predominantly Windows environment), but it isn’t quite as capable as it
ought to be. Why doesn’t it offer NFS, for example? A few clicks, and I
find the LinkStation Wiki. I follow some simple instructions,
produce a bit of adrenalin and transpire a bit (not caused by the warmth in my
office) and after five minutes my device is not bricked and welcomes me with
Now, this wouldn’t be acceptable to the general public of course, but
why don’t these devices have a “simple” and a “complex” interface? The
manufacturer could refuse support if a modification to the system has been
performed (e.g. as soon as an SSH login was conducted). The code is there,
just waiting to be used. Give it to us.