Re: linux-libre - are we collaborating with them?
On Tue, Mar 26, 2013 at 02:52:37PM -0400, Kẏra wrote:
> I think it would be great for Debian to put together a plan to eventually
> use the linux-libre kernel by default.
In an ideal world, we could run our computers using only free
firmware. In the world as it is, all our computers run non-free
firmware[*], and there is rarely any commercial incentive for hardware
vendors to change that. Where firmware is not installed in
non-volatile memory it must be loaded via the kernel.
* See <http://mjg59.livejournal.com/91123.html>
> If i understand correctly, the
> linux-libre kernel doesn't just remove proprietary blobs from the kernel,
> but also attempts to reverse-engineer them so that functionality isn't
> always just lost.
Really, could you point to an example of this?
> If Debian were to join the efforts of keeping linux-libre
> up to date, it seems like it would result in a more functional Debian
> before adding the proprietary bits. The only reason to not just make the
> switch is that I think Debian should help bring (and keep) the linux-libre
> kernel up to date with the mainline kernel.
linux-libre is fundamentally in disagreement with the Debian Social
Contract. Debian respects the rights of users to choose non-free
software. linux-libre does not.
Ben.
--
Ben Hutchings
We get into the habit of living before acquiring the habit of thinking.
- Albert Camus
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