As I understand it, CyanogenMod is not concerned with software freedom, but
rather with open sourcing and the benefits that it can provide. They also
include binary firmware with their distribution, whereas Replicant does not.
I imagine, although I have not played around with CyanogenMod, that it must
include more of google's "features" than Replicant.
Replicant comes with the standard google search bar on the homescreen, which
can be disabled in settings. It also does not allow you to create a calendar
without linking it to an "account," unless you download a program from
f-droid called offline calendar. As far as I have tested, it is also not
possible to make contact groups without this so called "account" (I imagine
this means syncing my information to someone else's server, which I don't
plan on doing).
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/About
The only difference between my phones and a "totally free" Replicant
installation is the non-free system loaded WiFi firmware (in any case, many
chips contain hardcoded proprietary code. The FSF has chosen not to regard
these as proprietary software because they are hardcoded on the chips and not
loaded by the system (and because it would make it impossible to use any
computer in the world, as far as I know). Whether or not you agree with FSF,
it is impossible to run a computer without at least the hardcoded non-free
code running on the hardware. Obviously it is not an easy problem to solve,
as making hardware is a very expensive proposition. The case of system loaded
firmware is arguably worse because it means the firmware is modifiable. It
does not mean the hardcoded code cannot abuse the user, as I understand it.
In the case of Replicant running non-free WiFi firmware, it seems unlikely to
me that broadcom could push updates without my consent. Who knows. I'm not an
expert. It certainly opens up the possibility of backdoors, malware, etc.
through the WiFi firmware, and the impossibility of analyzing the code to
make sure it does not abuse the user). So, a "totally free" Replicant install
would work exactly like my phones do, just without the ability to enable
WiFi.
