> The driver...IS indeed free (as in libre) software
Yes, the driver can be free, but that is pretty common and it doesn't mean
anything. My Intel Centrino N-6200 network card have a free driver too, and
it's still free software incompatible, because it requires a firmware blob in
order to be functional. Your output it the best proof of the reliance on the
firmware blob.
> The driver that i've installed
No, you doesn't. The driver is an integral part of the kernel and cannot be
installed separately. You probably installed the firmware blob (these files
have usually .fw or .bin extensions, and resides in /lib/firmware folder),
but since the drivers was blacklisted during compilation, that will not work
anyway.
> You're saying that there is non-free firmware blobs built into the device
I never said that, but anyway, it's true. The firmware is built into ROM of
the SoC.
> ...that make it a non-free device regardless of the driver software (free
in this case) that is used?
The problem is not in hardware but in software. Ralink does not provide
source code for the firmware, thus making the device useless. You can do some
reverse-engineering, and rewrite a new firmware source code yourself, but I
doubt that you want to venture into that, nor that you have the ability to
write some working code.
> I will definitely look into buying that "libre" pcb main board for the
antenna if it offers any real advantages for my needs and has a reasonable
price.
That can be the only way to have a libre adapter with these parameters. But
before you switch the PCBs, make sure the ALFA adapter is working correctly
with your Trisquel installation! Just follow the instructions I posted here.
> The driver:
There is no download link on either of the pages you provided. Maybe the site
is subscribe based (the download is granted only after I provide my name and
e-mail address).
