Re: Possible draft non-free firmware option with SC change
On September 12, 2022 8:23:22 PM UTC, Bill Allombert <ballombe@debian.org> wrote:
>Le Sun, Sep 11, 2022 at 08:19:26AM +0200, Simon Josefsson a écrit :
>> The problem is caused by hardware manufacturer chosing to require
>> non-free works for their use. The blame for that choice lies on the
>> hardware manufacturer, not on Debian. Accepting the blame for someone
>> else's choices and taking on the responsibility solve the consequences
>> of that choice seems misguided to me. It makes it harder for users to
>> experience the frustration of such hardware themselves. I disagree they
>> always get the non-free installer eventually: some end up learning about
>> the problem and chose better hardware. Some end up reverse engineering
>> their hardware, and contributing to a free solution. Some dislike other
>> distributions taking a less rigid stance on non-free works, and will
>> come up with work-arounds to get Debian to work on the hardware. If
>> Debian takes on itself to solve the problems with non-free hardware, I
>> think we are in more difficult position to ask for a change.
>
>Seconded.
>We fought against lack of Linux drivers, then against the lack of free
>drivers. Now, since in a lot of situation it is not tenable not to
>provide Linux drivers (because Linux is the dominant server OS),
>since it is not tenable to provide only non-free drivers (because
>entreprise distros do not ship them), the move is toward smaller and
>smaller drivers loading larger and larger non-free firmware.
>
>Debian should not trick users into downloading non-free files.
All this is, is a preference for permanent non-free firmware that can't be updated or fixed. I don't think it serves our users at all.
Personally, I can't remember the last time I successfully (as in with networking) installed a system using the official installer. It's probably over a decade ago.
I'm thrilled that the project is exploring providing a working installer.
Scott K
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