On Wed, Jul 29, 2015 at 12:54 AM, Michael Fothergill <michael.fotherg...@googlemail.com> wrote: > >> >> Don't we mean: firmware. Nonfree firmware was removed from >> >> Debian main for some silly reason. A lot of hardware needs it >> >> to function. >> >> >> >> >> >> I agree. Having to install the firmware manually to get X11 working is >> >> a >> >> bit Arthur Tuttlesque. >> >> >> >> Why not go the whole hog and install Gentoo instead? >> >> >> >> MF >> >> >> >> Well, you get what you pay for. If you want the free beer, you have to >> stand in line, and you have to put up with the advertising, and with >> all that comes with the free beer. >> > > I see the manual installation of the firmware I did after adding the > non-free option in the source file as being like putting on a free pair of > spectacles and turning on the the non-free option in the installer as being > similar to adorning a free prosthetic leg.
But I don't need either glasses or legs. I do have an Ralink wifi radio in this netbook that is presently useless to me, because I choose not to use the bundled Microsoft OS. But, to me, that's not like missing a leg, unless having Microsoft software is part of the natural definition of a computer. I'm not willing to cede that to Microsoft yet. > For me, normal use of the non-free stuff is a bit like choosing to use an > umbrella ie useful but non essential that has a designer label printed on it > etc. Or not if that is your choice. I don't think it works, either. It makes me think of ripping labels off of legitimate products to put on knock-offs, which seems to me to be an unreasonable activity. (Unless as an artistic statement.) Although comparing it to having to carry an umbrella around that I can't open does have some meaning. Especially when it's raining. > But maybe this is not the correct way to think about this..... I have just spent lots of time I didn't have trying to analyze your metaphors carefully, but I looked at my words and decided what I had written was not correct, either. Deleted most of it. Your metaphors are yours, they don't work for me, and that is where we should leave it. I will agree that the current handling of the non-free stuff is non-optimal, but I don't want to criticize the project for it. The problem is within the industry, companies catering to consumers who like free beer and ignoring consumers who like their toys entirely free of beer. Speaking metaphorically. -- Joel Rees Be careful when you look at conspiracy. Arm yourself with knowledge of yourself, as well: http://reiisi.blogspot.jp/2011/10/conspiracy-theories.html -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: https://lists.debian.org/CAAr43iNJw0i1hUuUc3dA9WwKmYwhNk05RkS=k70rzjzhvfs...@mail.gmail.com
