Version von Hardware and Software Freedom vom Sa, 02/15/2014 - 22:01
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1.
Every piece of hardware falls into one of three categories:
a) freedom-respecting
b) freedom-compatible
c) proprietary
1.1 Hardware type
The hardware manufacturer can withhold software-freedoms for driver and firmware information. If the manufacturer does this, it means that people can only use that hardware with proprietary software (drivers, firmware).
1.2 Effects
The users then depend on the manufacturer for updates. The manufacturer can discontinue support for hardware, to encourage users to buy new hardware.
Open source software allows proprietary drivers/firmware. As well as proprietary necessary to use proprietary audio, video, and document formats.
Free software does not allow any proprietary drivers/firmware.
2. Parts
X
2.2 Processor/ Central Processing Unit (CPU)
2.2.1 vPro
Intel VPro is a proprietary technology. IT allows others to access your computer remotely. Intel markets this as a feature. Some community members have expressed concern [cite].
Intel says that VPro technology can be disabled, and that it does not work while the computer is off. Intel also says that third parties can access your computer only if you request the remote access (password authorization). Intel says that a red border and flashing icon will alert users to the remote access.
A member of the Trisquel community expressed these concerns [cite]:
The CPU contains vPro technology. It remains even if disabled
There is no public audit; the user community cannot verify that disabling vPro does anything more than tell us that the technology is disabled.
2.2.2 x86
2.2.3 MIPS
2.3 Wifi
2.3.1 Internal wifi cards:
You may wish to replace your proprietary wifi card, with a libre wifi card. HP, Dell, IBM, Lenovo, Apple, and Toshiba use proprietary connectors and/or digital restrictions in the BIOS. This will prevent you from installing a libre wifi card. Most other brands don't restrict users in this way.
Laptops use half-height Mini PCI-E ports. Desktops use [standard PCI-E ports]? Choose your wifi card with this in mind.
^Is Sony in that list?
Does the above manufacturer list cover laptops, desktops or both?
Atheros designs libre wireless PCI-E chipsets. They sell a range of 802.11g and 802.11n chipsets.
2.3.2 External/USB wifi cards:
A few USB wireless chipsets are libre.
Among these are the wireless g type RTL8187, RTL8187B, and RTL8187L. These work out-of-the-box, and so are new-user friendly. These are discontinued, but you may still find adaptors with them.
It's not that easy because manufacturers don't stick to a single chipset for a given model. That means one person will report an adapter as working when in reality the adapter you purchase may or may not work.” (Chris)
"The wireless n draft chipset type AR9170 is not so hot [why?]. The new USB N chipset AR9271 is great does not yet work out-of-the-box in Trisquel [as of July 2013]. The next Trisquel release should support it."
Chris recommends a wireless card with the Atheros AR9285 chipset.
2.4 Ethernet
Most ethernet cards are free software friendly. Some of these free cards require newer Linux kernels than your edition of Trisquel may have. You may have to wait for a system update, the next Trisquel release, or update the kernel yourself [how -- link?].
Some ethernet cards use optional proprietary firmware. Intel and Realtek brand cards do this.
2.5 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
Intel cards are the best option, if you want 3D acceleration and decent battery life.
Nvidia and ATI graphics require proprietary software. UPDATE: Noveau driver(?)
All ATI graphics cards require proprietary firmware for 2D or 3D acceleration. If it works at all, it will work without these features [explanation please].
If you want an nVidia Desktop PC video card, Chris recommends the 9500GT. It performs a little better than the current generation Intels.
Intel motherboards have integrated graphics processing units (GPUs). The Core i3 – i7 series have the best integrated graphics.
Intel GMA X4500 integrated graphics performs less well, and costs less money. These chipsets have the GMA X4500 graphics: G41, G43, G45. Of these, the G45 is the best. The GS45, GM45 and GM47 also have GMA X4500 graphics.
Chris:
“I got a motherboard with G41 and everything works perfectly, ethernet, graphics, SATA controllers, onBoard audio (which is of high quality for onBoard audio btw). It supports either DDR2 or -3 memory and Core2 CPUs.”
“G43 and G45 will have a PCIe slot of revision 2.0 (as opposed to 1.1 on G41). G45 will have a X4500HD integrated graphics, not sure how much more powerful it is, seems to be just a higher clocked version of the same thing.”
2.6 BIOS
BIOSes are basic input/outut systems. Every computer has one. It manages boot device order (harddrive, CD drive, or USB port first?), helps the OS interact with input devices like the keyboard, and other functions.
Hardware manufacturers include a BIOS with the computer. They install it to [the harddrive?]:
http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/free-bios.html
Most BIOSes are proprietary. Coreboot is a libre alternative.
2.7 Printer
Many printers depend on proprietary firmware.
HP sells some free software friendly equipment. Not all HP printers are libre friendly, but most category of printer equipment should have a few libre options.
There is no current generation all-in-one (scanner/fax/) laser printer. If you need all of those features, you could get an HP all-in-one inkjet printer, and a HP laserjet printer [July 2013].
2.8 Scanner
2.9 Optical Disk Drive (CD, DVD, Blu-Ray)
2.9.1 CD
2.9.2 DVD
DVD drives use standard (should we say libre/free/publically documented instead?) protocols, and will work with libre systems out-of-the-box.
Some DVD drive manufacturers implement digital restrictions to impede users, based on region setting.
DVD Video: Encrypted (CSS) DVDs demand proprietary software. Open source software can incorporate the proprietary CSS decoder. Libre software will not incorporate proprietary parts.
2.9.3 Blu-Ray
Video
data
I scraped this info together from the forum a few months ago. It needs a lot of work. Thanks to Chris (ThinkPenguin) and other community members for a lot of this info.
