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Re: Debian hardware certification



On Fri, 2011-06-03 at 11:42 -0400, John Sullivan wrote:
> Thomas Goirand <zigo@debian.org> writes:
> 
> > The point is to have a system so that manufacturers can write "this
> > system supports Debian". If they don't want to do the work, we could,
> > and help each other by having a list of hardware that is known to work
> > with Debian, and a list of hardware with issues. If they do, it's best,
> > and IMHO we should help. Finally, I believe we should have a central
> > point on Debian's website so that this can happen.
> >
> > Maybe a wiki page might be a good start, until we setup something better.
> >
> 
> Such a database is being generated now at http://h-node.com. The FSF is
> also consolidating its former compatible hardware database there. Since
> h-node lists hardware that works without proprietary drivers or
> proprietary firmware, it should be a good fit for Debian main from
> Squeeze on. 

Almost every peripheral device today runs some software (firmware) on an
embedded processor or microcontroller, which is generally non-free (see
http://mjg59.livejournal.com/91123.html for examples).

A few people consider that devices are more 'free' if they don't require
the host to help them load this firmware.  And h-node may be useful for
those people, but not for the large majority who realise that
downloading non-free firmware won't taint their precious bodily fluids.

Ben.

-- 
Ben Hutchings
Once a job is fouled up, anything done to improve it makes it worse.

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