Re: [GNU-linux-libre] Freedom issues with non-free firmware in external files

[Diego Saravia]

>-Linux includes some -GPL'd- modules that load firmware files into the
>devices. Most of that files are non free,

or only some?

ther are also free modules wich use non-free files not included in
modulo distribution

> -Older linux-libre versions -still in use in several distros-

and Ututo

>remove the
> non-free blobs embedded in .c and .h files. External non free firmware
> files are also deleted.


> -Newest linux-libre versions remove not only the embedded blobs, but
> also the ability of the modules to request non-free firmware files.[2]

request?

or only print info about what is missing?


> -Should GPL modules that are useless without the non-free firmware files
> be removed?

why?

> -Should they be kept, but disabling the file load call?

what if someone develops a free file replacement?

is there another way to detect that hardware?

is not usefull to know what hardware do not have frre software to work with?

>
> -What is enough to comply with the Guidelines for Free System
> Distributions? [3]

is this free guideline fine?

>
> Note that this issue was already discussed in January by Richard
> Stallman, Alexandre Oliva et. al. at the linux-libre lists[4], leading
> Alexandre to implement one of the discussed solutions in the linux-libre
> deblobber. Other solutions are possible, so this new thread should focus
> on what is _enough_ to achieve a fully free kernel.

is free-linux something usefull? or the removal can be done by a
script running over a normal kernel?


do free distros must have non-free-software-having-hardware detection
procedures and user warnings?


-- 
Diego Saravia
address@hidden
NO FUNCIONA->address@hidden