Free Software Foundation courts hardware vendors (Linux-Watch) [LWN.net]

Free Software Foundation courts hardware vendors (Linux-Watch)

Posted Mar 4, 2007 10:07 UTC (Sun) by rqosa (guest, #24136)
In reply to: Free Software Foundation courts hardware vendors (Linux-Watch) by khim
Parent article: Free Software Foundation courts hardware vendors (Linux-Watch)

> The reason is simple: if the thing is complex enough to warrant Flash Memory (ROM is cheaper) it's complex enough to have bugs and this means it's complex enough to warrant third-party fixes - and for that you need free software.

Devices with changeable firmware don't necessarily have flash memory. For example:

The firmware for ivtv cards isn't actually stored in ROM on the cards, it needs to be loaded every time the driver loads. (emphasis added)

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Free Software Foundation courts hardware vendors (Linux-Watch)

Posted Mar 4, 2007 17:42 UTC (Sun) by mmarq (guest, #2332) [Link]

hmm... agreed. Where the firmware is stored (ROM or not) is irrelevant in the sense of a community being able to participate in their development.

The problem would be not "reverse engineering", but enough documentation for some people to be able to start development... under a NDA, why not ?

"" The firmware for ivtv cards isn't actually stored in ROM on the cards, it needs to be loaded every time the driver loads. (emphasis added) ""

That is why something like AGESA, imho, could prove to be very importante adressing that firmware dynamic... and vendors fear.