Re: Proposal: The DFSG do not require source code for data, including firmware
On Sat, Sep 02, 2006 at 09:46:32PM +0200, Wouter Verhelst wrote:
> On Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:01:55AM +0200, Sven Luther wrote:
> > He has full control of it, in the sense that it is often binary only, and that
> > he produces it, and not some third party (like the operating system vendor).
> > Also, i believe that modifying the firmware, like you propose, usually voids
> > the waranty.
>
> Replacing a supplied operating system by something totally different
> (like, say, Debian) often also voids warranty (or, at least, the right
> to tech support). How is that any different?
Well, hosing the firmware, and thus the method to reflash or bootup the board
results more often than not in an unusable piece of hardware.
Changing the operating system loaded by said firmware is not so dramatic, as
you can always fix it and stuff. This is not the case for firmware usually,
unless you know what you do, and have some heavy soldering or on-site flashing
equipement.
Friendly,
Sven Luther
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