Free gadgets need free software [LWN.net]

Free gadgets need free software

Posted Oct 19, 2006 13:18 UTC (Thu) by pbardet (guest, #22762)
Parent article: Free gadgets need free software

I'm not quite sure how it applies to us, Linux users...
When I bought my "mp3" player, I made sure it would work under Linux, ie not using proprietary software to add/remove songs on the device. Therefore, I can't see how the manufacturer could force me to upgrade to the latest software since this device is never plugged into their "network".

On top of that, there is no way for me to upgrade the firmware on Linux since they (my manufacturer, others, I don't know, but AFAIK it applies to Creative) don't provide software to do it...

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Free gadgets need free software

Posted Oct 21, 2006 6:36 UTC (Sat) by jneves (guest, #2859) [Link]

We live in networks. That scenario is real, until the day you are at a friend's home and he says "well, here's something you should listen to". And you here a bit, and you like, and (because your friend wouldn't mind installing the tools for your player on his proprietary system) load it into your player.

And suddenly there are things you can't do with your player because of a simple slip into the proprietary world... That will be fun.