On Wed, Jun 3, 2015 at 9:29 PM, Daniel Reurich <dan...@centurion.net.nz> wrote:
> Ok, > > That was interesting.... > > Here's my thinking on the how and the why. > > definition of terms: > user = the person using the installer to install Devuan. > module = linux kernel module. > hardware = reference to the particular chipset(s) in scope, be they SoC or > plug in cards or devices. > firmware = non-free binary blob that is required to be loaded by the > standard kernel module for the hardware in scope in order for the hardware > to operate. > essential: required for proper operation. > > > How: > **** > > I will build a (udeb) package called firmware-reqd that: > > 1) Will provide an early detection of a select list of common essential > hardware that: > a) requires a non-free firmware blob > b) is essential to make the system use-able enough to complete the > installation to a bootable state. > > 2) Upon detection of said hardware, I will provide a prompt informing the > user about the specific piece(s) of hardware detected that require non-free > firmware to and give them the option to load that firmware and continue the > installation or abort it at that point. > > 3) Only firmware meeting the above criteria will be included in the iso, > but not used or loaded unless the operator specifically chooses to do so. > > 4) The choice to use non-free firmware will naturally lead to the question > about whether the related firmware deb packages should be installed during > the install. I could provide an option here, defaulting to yes but > allowing deselection for those who may want to leverage the non-free > firmware only during install but not on the running system. > > Note: When non-free firmware udebs are installed by debconf my > understanding is that each of them will present the user a license upon > which is also required to be accepted before that udeb is installed. > > **** > > Why this approach: > > I agree in principle about using strictly free/libre open source software, > and where I have the choice I personaly will select hardware that aligns > with those principles. > > However, I would not want my choices to become the tool that would punish > those less informed, or unable to make the sacrifices required to comply > entirely with that principle. To do so would be ungracious and unrealistic, > and boils down to elitism and puritanism. > > Nevertheless, to silently let the installation of non-free firmware be > done without recognition and challenge is not right either. So I see the > most gracious approach is to inform the users and grant them the > opportunity to choose how they would like to proceed. It gives opportunity > for those who for conscience sake would refuse non-free firmware to do so, > whilst not enforcing that choice an all users. > > I think that this is a reasonable approach, and once the above proposed > package is ready, it is my intention to have it included in the official > installer images we ship. Anyone that strongly objects can re-build their > own installers without the non-free firmware packages added. > > I like this approach as well as Nextime's. I generally favor approaches that help the users make informed decisions, but otherwise don't get in their way of them doing what they want with their computers. I can help out with steps 1 and 2, if you're interested. There's lots of overlap with my work on vdev. Thank you for all the hard work you've put into getting the Devuan installer ready! -Jude > > > > > On 03/06/15 20:37, Daniel Reurich wrote: > >> Hi, >> >> I'd like a straw poll on whether we should include non-free firmware in >> our installers by default. >> >> It's a deviation from Debians traditional position, but a pragmatic one >> that shows we care about the end users. >> >> Keen for feedback. >> >> >> > > -- > Daniel Reurich > Centurion Computer Technology (2005) Ltd. > 021 797 722 > _______________________________________________ > Dng mailing list > Dng@lists.dyne.org > https://mailinglists.dyne.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/dng >
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