Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 15:14:38 -0700 (PDT) From: Tim Clewlow <tim1timau@yahoo.com> To: freebsd-advocacy@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Dell is asking what free OS to preinstall Message-ID: <20070314221439.79880.qmail@web50304.mail.re2.yahoo.com> In-Reply-To: <8a0028260703141026m3896b353y541a3d4ee4fb5d1d@mail.gmail.com>
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--- Jeff Rollin <jeff.rollin@gmail.com> wrote: > On 14/03/07, Eric Kjeldergaard <kjelderg@gmail.com> wrote: > > > drivers.) For those of us using FreeBSD, there's not a substantial > > advantage to proprietary linux drivers over proprietary Windows drivers. > We > > go unsupported either way. > > > > > Hmm, well I would hope that they would use hardware with open source > drivers only, in which case, yes, FreeBSD would be able to take > advantage. Even if, say, the OSD's are GPL'ed, that would at least > allow BSD users to inquire as to the specs from the OSD developers. > > Jeff > -- > The survey is asking "What OS do you want pre-installed?" - it is not asking "Do you want open source drivers". If we choose an OS that "might" be able to get the binary globs removed and use the source instead, then in my opinion, we are playing games with the survey that may not actually end up with us getting something we can use in FreeBSD. By contrast, if enough people vote for FreeBSD, then dell might actually offer to install FreeBSD. If this happens then we have two major benefits: 1. An advocate in the form of a major computer supplier including FreeBSD in its sales/promotional material, 2. A strong ally who will presumably assist in convincing device manufacturers to release their driver source code, or necessary specs to write the drivers. Tim. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html
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