Re: Fedora Freedom and linux-libre

[Andrew Haley <aph redhat com>]

Bill Crawford wrote:
> 2008/6/18 Andrew Haley <aph redhat com>:
> 
>> So, let me summarize: we have a bit of binary-only fimware that does
>> goodness knows what in a critical part of our systems.  We don't actually
>> need this firmware; it may or may not improve performance.  Is this right?
> 
> This sounds like most computer systems (BIOS, although we can usually
> do without it mostly after boot time) 

I think we have to boot.

> and their components e.g. most
> modern network interfaces, SCSI controllers and so on, lots of which
> have some sort of firmware embedded in some way on the card or the
> main device on it. 

Really?  We don't need this firmware?  Are you sure about that?

> The next point you make is a good one, ...

>> It sounds to me as though we're better off without it, regardless of its
>> status with regard to the GPL.
> 
> Yes. Which is why we should stop supporting these "PCs" which aren't
> completely free.

I don't understand what you're saying here.  Are you saying that we
should stop supporting any PC that contains any firmware that isn't
free?  That seems rather extreme.

Andrew.