Update On OpenBSD Firmware Activism 134
putko writes "Here's an update on the OpenBSD firmware activism. Basically, Intel says no. Plenty of contact info, in case you want to write someone an email or a phone call.
As Theo writes, 'Without
these firmware files included in OpenBSD, users must go do some
click-through license at some web site to get at the files. Without
those files, these devices are just bits of metal, plastic, and sand.'" While I applaud the notion behind Freer distribution (as in beer) it's also highly probable that Intel doesn't have much ground make them freer - we've seen this before on machines like the HP nw8000; basically, the wireless stuff is owned by someone else, licensed by Intel. That's not to say that the fight isn't worth fighting for freer distribution - it is. But if you want to make your voice heard, remember to be effective advocate.
Re:Not because it's licensed by someone else... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Not because it's licensed by someone else... (Score:1, Informative)
What they are basically not satisfied with is that the firmware is not available under freely redistributable terms. It is not illegal to redistribute a binary firmware under a freely redistributable license.
What the hell is wrong with giving a freely redistributable binary only firmware to the OSS community so that they can use a open source driver?
Re:As a consequence of purchasing intel (Score:2, Informative)
Re:If the BSD people want... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Not because it's licensed by someone else... (Score:1, Informative)
Re:What firmware exactly? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Activism or documentation? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:What firmware exactly? (Score:2, Informative)
OpenBSD wants only free distribution right of the binary files. That's all, they don't even want the right to modify the binary. Just to be able to distribute it like they do with so many other firmware files. Else you have to go download the file from somewhere else (how do you do that without a network connection) or OpenBSD has to sign an agreement that they won't since they would have to limit the way they distribute their software. Among other things, they would have to put you through a click through license when installing OpenBSD!!!!