binary firmware (Re: Processed: tagging 493925, tagging 494007, tagging 494009, tagging 494010)

[Robert Millan <rmh@aybabtu.com>]

On Wed, Aug 06, 2008 at 04:36:09PM +0000, Debian Bug Tracking System wrote:
> > tags 493925 help
> Bug#493925: binary firmware in drivers/char/drm/mga_ucode.h
> There were no tags set.
> Tags added: help

Hi,

Seen the help tag, so I guess I should try to say something constructive :-)

First off, I know this issue is a PITA for you, and I know it's been a cause
for heated discussion in the past, so I want to thank you for dealing with it
responsibly.  I will try to do the same.

Our website says "the Universal OS" is our motto.  That we provide an OS
which should be useful to everyone.  Here, your concern is that it should be
useful to owners of popular hardware for which we don't have free drivers;
Mine is that it should be useful to people fully committed to freedom who
would rather trash their hardware than run a propietary driver, or who would
spend an extra time at the store, using a Debian live system or laptop to
identify such hardware.

So if we want to truly be Universal, it seems we need a compromise.  I believe
we already have one, and the Social Contract is the compromise we have
adquired:  We will provide a system that is 100% free, and call that "Debian",
and then provide and support non-free software for those users who want it.

It's no secret that I personally don't favour this situation, but it's what
we have now, and furthermore it's what the majority of the project wants (as
reflected by previous GRs).

So my conclussion is that untill we can fix the problems, the compromise that
would fall within the letter and spirit of the SC is to provide two versions
of the package to our users.  One that is 100% free and one that is, at least,
legally distributable.

I don't think it is technically challenging to provide this solution, but if
you feel like help is needed, I'm willing to contribute to archieve it.

Thanks for listening

-- 
Robert Millan

  The DRM opt-in fallacy: "Your data belongs to us. We will decide when (and
  how) you may access your data; but nobody's threatening your freedom: we
  still allow you to remove your data and not access it at all."