Non-Free
Sirs:
I operate a small business out of my home and have been using Red Hat
Software and have virtually disbanded all my Windoze machines. I hate
Microslop and have been very pleased to run my whole business under
Linux for about 4 years now. My Red Hat 7.1 systems are aging and
there are frequent library incompatibilities with new software packages
I download from the web so it was time for a change. I thought I'd try
a new Debian release.
Woody installed OK, but when I loaded the (binary) driver module for my
Belkin Network Card I got an error message that basically said the
driver module was a "non-free" piece and was not being linked into the
kernel for that reason. This is quite distressing. I bought a
different (major brand) network card and got the same result with that
driver. It appears that current debian policy is so radical about the
free/non-free issue that they have put a little facist policeman inside
of my box who is going to tell me what I can and cannot do.
I thought only the people from Redmond did that!
I'm hesitant to complain about this issue because I believe that people
who write software for free have the right to put out anything they
desire, users can just like it or lump it (or possibly change it).
If I had the skill (I almost do) to safely hack my kernel and/or
modutils to remove the little policeman, I'd do it, and share it with my
friends that may be having the same problem, but I'm not comfortable
enough with C yet to do it.
As a result of this no-linking of non-free software policy, my network
is unusable therefore the machine is unusable therefore I'm going back
to Red Hat which supports my network cards (both of 'em) just fine.
I wish I didn't have to, - I really like the debian distribution (except
for this problem). I like the Social contract (with clause #5 intact)
Dave Crosby
Everett Washington USA
(425) 347-2037
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