If there is a vote, I will vote AGAINST granting a special exception to firmware, or considering firmware as data. Manoj's arguments are compelling IMHO. In addition, the proposed GR makes no mention of blobs, which are binary-only pieces of software that execute *in kernel space*, *on the central processing unit*. Linux contains a few blobs. I would therefore:
- oppose a GR waives the requirement for "source code" for "firmware" - propose a GR that bans both blobs and firmware from main, especially from the linux packages in main. If something is redistributable but not modifiable in "the preferred form for modification" (source), then it belongs in non-free. The proposed GR mentions that some firmware requires non-free tools in order to create it from source code. Just because no free tools exist *now* does not imply that no free tools will *ever* exist; and just because some vendor tries to lock people in with non-free firmware does not mean we should accept to be locked in. I think we should learn from OpenBSD on this front. -- Ludovic Brenta. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
