In the interests of documentary completeness..
Timothy Musson wrote:
Rik Tindall wrote:
Timothy Musson wrote:
Ubuntu intentionally includes non-free software (proprietary kernel
blobs and device drivers), and they've stated that they intend to
continue doing so.
Along with the source files, should you want them.
Meaning, too glibly, the binary distro install off an Ubuntu CD is
backed up by source files being available through Synaptic &
repositories.. much like any other distro having a similar mechanism.
Except that..
Unfortunately, that's not the case...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_blob
http://www.markshuttleworth.com/archives/84
..For drivers for particular and nuisance proprietary devices - like
Nvidia & ATI video, etc - whatever agreement exists between freenix
developers and those producers requires that the control source code not
be released, so a "binary blob" is provided for running it.. the same as
for any other distro (?)
So the argument is, we should:
a) not buy gear with these components, & 'consumer strike' for freedom
b) don't support distros not encouraging a) by them providing blobs
c) use computers with only fully open components in them, and distros
just supporting that range.
Q1: What is Debian's position on blob provision please?
Q2: How many distros other that gnewsense.org do not?
I'd kinda like to continue the discussion, but we should probably move
it to the GNUz mailing list. I'll start a new thread there, when I get a
bit of time :^)
Tim
Yes, it shows the place for another forum, where those that can afford
to let the struggle for full code freedom interrupt their daily work can
take the matter up together.
Meanwhile, 'what works' (easily) is uniting us here.
Cheers
--
Rik Tindall, InfoHelp Services <http://www.infohelp.co.nz> on virus-free
Ubuntu GNU/Linux 6.06 freeOS, 2.6.15-28-686 kernel, GNOME 2.14.3 desktop
OpenOffice.org 2.0.2 suite, Mozilla.org Firefox 1.5.0.10 web browser and
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