Posted Nov 12, 2010 13:40 UTC (Fri) by mjg59 (subscriber, #23239)
[Link]
Because every piece of hardware it manages contains non-free software.
FSFLA: Linux kernel is "open core"
Posted Nov 12, 2010 18:38 UTC (Fri) by lxoliva (subscriber, #40702)
[Link]
Yeah, but that software is installed by the manufacturer, not by the user, so that doesn't come even close to answering the question.
FSFLA: Linux kernel is "open core"
Posted Nov 12, 2010 21:54 UTC (Fri) by mjg59 (subscriber, #23239)
[Link]
How does Linux supporting hardware that can only (at present) function with non-free firmware not encourage the user to purchase that hardware and run non-free firmware? If the kernel didn't do it, they'd be forced to find a free alternative.
FSFLA: Linux kernel is "open core"
Posted Nov 13, 2010 7:37 UTC (Sat) by lxoliva (subscriber, #40702)
[Link]
Aah, thanks, I see what you mean now. I think the “forcing” part is not a good one, though. Nudging towards Free Software, I think is fine, but forcing is a bit too much unfreedom to me.