On 04/06/15 13:52, Jude Nelson wrote:
On Wed, Jun 3, 2015 at 9:29 PM, Daniel Reurich <dan...@centurion.net.nz
<mailto: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
Your offer is appreciated and heartily accepted!
I've created the gitlab project and added you to the members.
Thanks,
Daniel.
--
Daniel Reurich
Centurion Computer Technology (2005) Ltd.
021 797 722
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