Re: Free OS versus free hw
Loïc Minier <lool@dooz.org> writes:
> Of course, producing a Debian including free firmwares would be
> superior than producing a Debian which ships non-free firmwares,
> but the actual option at hand is producing a Debian without the
> firmwares.
Since the Social Contract promises Debian *won't* ship non-free
things, that's not an option compatible with the promises made by the
Debian project.
> Naturally, I can imagine some people making use of the free
> firmwares would they be available in Debian, but:
> - this would probably be very little people
The same argument can be made for free software targeted to the
motherboard CPU. It can also be refuteded with similar
counter-arguments: for example, those few who *can* make use of free
software can improve and redistribute it, thereby benefiting many
others beside themselves. This is only possible if the work is
distributed as free software.
> - it would be almost impossible to get the sources for all
> firmwares generally useful to run a modern computer
I only expect the Debian project to hold to its promises for
distributing Debian as free software. Any firmware not being
distributed by Debian is outside the aegis of the project.
--
\ “Probably the toughest time in anyone's life is when you have |
`\ to murder a loved one because they're the devil.” —Emo Philips |
_o__) |
Ben Finney
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