Would the apc from apc.io require anything non-free?
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I read the following post by Chris some time back:
http://trisquel.info/en/forum/alternative-freedom-friendly-solution-raspberry-pi
Could we be /certain/ it won't require anything non-free? (Not sure how to word that)
They released the kernel, bootloader, etc. recently, not sure if it would give clues though: http://apc.io/library/
Also, I would be more than happy to ask on their forums if it requires anything non-free, but due to my ignorance I'm not sure how to word it. Any help on that would be appreciated.
I am a member!
I'm not confident in the information that indicates it is. I have one coming and already beat you to the punch of asking on the APC forums. I doubt I'll get any answers. If anybody is interested in investigating I should be getting one. I don't know why I ordered one. I guess I was thinking there may be someone interested in investigating it and the initial response I got from the developer of the graphics chipset was that it didn't have any proprietary components.
The best approach might be to try and load replicant since it is Android without the non-free components. I'm not sure how easy that would be to do or if it is even possible (what version of Android is replicant based on? What version of Android comes with the APC board?).
If there is anybody interested in working on this project of free'ing one of these types of boards I think it is an important endeavour. I think we can supply at least some resources to any project. :) starting with a board.
On 27/07/12 01:13, chris wrote:
> I'm not confident in the information that indicates it is. I have one
> coming and already beat you to the punch of asking on the APC forums. I
> doubt I'll get any answers. If anybody is interested in investigating I
> should be getting one. I don't know why I ordered one. I guess I was
> thinking there may be someone interested in investigating it and the
> initial response I got from the developer of the graphics chipset was
> that it didn't have any proprietary components.
>
> The best approach might be to try and load replicant since it is Android
> without the non-free components. I'm not sure how easy that would be to
> do or if it is even possible (what version of Android is replicant based
> on? What version of Android comes with the APC board?).
I'm interested in a ARM machine with a free GNU/Linux as an alternative
to the Raspberry Pi for the children in my extended family. Currently I
can't find a SoC device with free 3D support, so please post if you find
the APC is free software compatible.
Seen the post. [1]
I hope someone replies.
Chris said: [...](what version of Android is replicant based on? What version of Android comes with the APC board?).
Their product overview shows Android 2.3
[2]
Latest Replicant is: 2.3 http://replicant.us/download/(At time of posting)
This is the conversation I had on their IRC[3] a moment earlier.
(Couldn't find IRC logs..)
tedious: Hi, would it be safe to assume that Replicant 2.3 is based on Android 2.3? paulk-desktop: tedious, hi! definitely yes we're base on CyanogenMod 7 for Replicant 2.3 currently, on CyanogenMod 7.2 that's the latest release [...] Broam: Basically, CM went from Android versions to its own incremental versioning...and Replicant goes back :)
Keep us updated, if you will. :-)
[1] http://forum.apc.io/discussion/8/how-free-is-it
[2] http://apc.io/product/
[3] http://replicant.us/contact/
I am a member!
It would be nice if people with the skills to investigate the freedom status would report somewhere the chipsets which were free that are being used in ARM based devices.
I've been e-mailing their support, and it seems good news may come about.
I had previously asked them what driver would be used for the video, hoping to know the name so I could search for it and in turn finding if it's Free or not. Keyword 'hoping'.
To which they replied on the 27th of July:
"We are currently working (negotiating) to get the video drivers released. Keep an eye on apc.io for updates."
Didn't fully understand, so I thought I might as well ask the question below.
> On Wed, Aug 1, 2012 at 10:53 PM, T... <**********>
> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Not a problem, I understand how things can get busy. And I sincerely
> appreciate the reply.
> Regarding the driver, would it be released as Free Software? (Which
> some call 'open source')
> T...
On Thu, Aug 2, 2012 at 6:34 PM, M... <********> wrote:
> Hi T...,
>
> that is what we are shooting for.
>
> Best regards,
> M...
>
>
>
To clarify, I only used that 'certain' term b/c I wasn't sure if I'd get the answer I was looking for.
Also, removed names and emails for sake of anonymity.
I am a member!
I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one inquiring. If we can get them to release the code (or nudge those capable of it) then this will be a good board to replace the Raspberry Pi. It is too bad the Raspberry Pi project isn't making a stink about it too. I would think they have a lot of pull given the quantities they are producing. If somebody knows otherwise and the project is making a stink please let me know. :) I'm under the wrong impression if they are.
I think if the graphics issue could be solved on the APC.IO board and there was more definite timeline for availability (a year for instance) it might be possible to work on freeing it more completely. I'm referring to BIOS/micro-code components. I know we can't do this with X86. Maybe just maybe we could with this.
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