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More on OpenBSD 3.7 Release

Posted by timothy on from the quest-for-firmware dept.

putko writes "As previously reported, OpenBSD 3.7 is released. Here's some interviews with the people behind the release about the new features, including information about which companies are complying with requests for documentation and permission to freely distribute required firmware, and which are not. Ralink Tech and Realtek 'GOOD,'Intel 'BAD.' The next time I build/buy a wireless product, I'll want Realtek or Ralink Tech inside -- because getting software to work with it will be easier. Ralink Tech and Realtek are Taiwanese, by the way."

2 of 149 comments (clear)

  1. Firmwares and drivers by puiahappy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Have any of you noticed the the hardware producers are standing in the way of open source software ? If you intend to install a Linux BSD or SunOS, drivers for the videocard`s, LAN card`s, TV Tuners, digital camera`s are very hard to find. On the driver CD suplied by the vendor you will find only drivers for Windows. So the point of this news should be not who are able to distribute the firmwares then why are they not suplied by the vendor on the install CD and why can`t they be included in the OS.

    --
    Think like a hacker, act like a hacker, but never become a hacker !
  2. Re:Intel by 4b696e67 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I don't know how true this is, but there is another reason that vendors may not release hardware info.

    I have heard that a lot of hardware is pretty bad and is mostly fixed with software hacks in the driver. Companies may be not want people to know how broken some of their products are.