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I think it's spectacularly naive to assume LibreSSL will be widely adopted beyond FreeBSD just because it's a cleaner codebase.


The primary goal of LibreSSL is to fix the OpenSSL codebase for OpenBSD. If other communities like the changes there could be a portable versions as alluded by the LibreSSL web site.

Think OpenSSH -> OpenSSH-portable.


Just because.

What if it also had fewer bugs, is more receptive to contributed bug fixes, runs clean in Valgrind, etc.?


The point of LibreSSL is to be a potential competitor and an apparent existential threat to scare OpenSSL into getting its house in order.


I don't think that's the point. I think OpenBSD devs just want secure code, and they get it by doing the work. So that's what they do. No hidden agendas.


If this fork makes OpenSSL developers be more responsive to patch fixes and have them improve their documentation it's a win for OpenSSL and their users at large.

OpenBSD is already reaping the benefits from a better TSL implementation in -current so it's a win for our project as well.

This is a win win scenario.


Exactly. When a popular security project has no clear competition, a code "monopoly" may exist and it's much easier to get complacent. By introducing "competition," it tends to keep both projects adversarial and vigilant... which is exactly what a security project needs.




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