Is Linux not free software itself? I thought propietary stuff was added downstream.

Am I getting something wrong?

  • pastermil@sh.itjust.works
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    5 months ago

    AFAIK, the Linux codebase is actually open source in its entirety. However it has parts that are capable of loading non-free stuff like firmware. The linux-libre project makes sure those parts are disabled.

    Personally, I think it’s a fool’s errand as it would render most modern systems unusable (in the reasonable sense).

    They also don’t apply such harsh judgement to firmware that resides in ROM, and only to firmware updates. In most of these cases you’d have systems with outdated firmwares with neither QoL nor security updates.