Re: New summary: Binary peripheral software
J.D. Hood writes:
> Originally the word 'firmware' referred to software stored in non-
> volatile memory.
Originally the word 'firmware' referred to software stored in non-volatile
_read only_ memory. The term has been extended to include software stored
in field-alterable non-volatile memory. Devices that use it come with it
already installed.
> However, if everyone is willing to define 'firmware' so that it refers to
> software running on peripherals (so that my computer's BIOS isn't
> firmware but the program that gets loaded into my computer's DSP chip to
> make it implement a modem _is_ firmware) then I'll go along with that.
Please either use the term 'firmware' correctly or call the stuff being
discussed 'peripheral software'.
The BIOS is non-free firmware but as Debian doesn't distribute it it is
none of our concern.
--
John Hasler You may treat this work as if it
john@dhh.gt.org were in the public domain.
Dancing Horse Hill I waive all rights.
Elmwood, Wisconsin
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