Wireless

I do wholly agree that whenever possible one should use a fully GPL
compatible/FSF approved OS and hardware drivers, but coming into this
movement with a Windows machine that I switched to PCLinuxOS, then Ubuntu,
then Debian, then Trisquel. I understand that the hardware one has may not
have a FSF approved driver.

However, I like the assurance that every other piece of software running on
my computer is Free, except for the stuff I put on there myself, not from the
repositories.

It is also MUCH less hassle buying a supported hardware.

---But if you are interested in hacking a bit-----

This is just a brief overview.

First you will need to figure out what your wireless network card is.

From the terminal (Accessories>Terminal), type "lspci"--to list the PCI
devices--or "lshw"--t list all the hardware. ("man lspci" or "man lshw" can
provide more explanation of each command line program.) Search the list for
your network controller.

For instance I have, "Ralink corp. RT2800 802.11n PCI".

Then do a Internet search for that driver. (I would search for "Ralink
RT2800 Linux driver."

Now it gets interesting, the driver should come as source code, which you
will need to compile (something to the effect of configure/make/install" from
the terminal, read the INSTALL and README text files with the source)

You will then need to blacklist the original module, if any, that was
selected for your wireless card on start up, before the new-non-free one was
installed. (/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf). The command line program
"lsmod" will tell you all the modules. (man lsmod for more info, or info
lsmod now that I think of it.) Anyhow, you will need to as root edit
/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf, by adding another line "blacklist
[modulename]"

I should also mention that in my case the source for my wireless card had WPA
disabled so I had to search the Internet on what changes to make to the
source before compiling to have WPA work.

Also, if you get the binary you must place it in the correct directory.

The whole process really is not for the faint hearted.

I still haven't done it since switching to Trisquel--have been using my
ethernet card. Maybe on a weekend, when I feel like hacking, I might try it
again.

While I understand where you are coming from the goal of this project is to
reduce the dependency on non-free software. This isn't the place for
supporting non-free "solutions" (these aren't solutions to the problems being
solved here).

I think the summary of it is: where there is a solution that is free we
discuss it. If there isn't a solution you go without. The only pieces of
hardware with non-free dependencies you should be running here are a non-free
BIOS and microcode. There aren't readily available solutions here although
there are projects working on at least the BIOS. Although not for any
commercially available consumer system I'm aware of at the moment.

You have to remember even if you aren't using a free distribution there are
still reasons to avoid non-free drivers, firmware, and other software. Don't
let this get in the way of moving to Trisquel or another free distribution.
Find the money, time, and switch the hardware. Until then it sounds like have
found a partial temporary solution with your ethernet connection.

Cool story bro.

Check out:
http://www.h-node.org/

to determine if your wireless card will run with free software.

If not, you can purchase very inexpensive USB wireless adaptors on eBay and the like.

My built-in card didn't work, so I purchased a Netgear WG111v2 for US$8 shipped. It works great and was a small price to pay for my freedom.

Good luck!

libredrs

If you are going to use a piece of hardware (like your wireless card) that is dependent on non-free software you are missing the point of Trisquel. Using Trisquel with non-free software is like polluting an environmental sanctuary.

As someone else pointed out you can get cards very cheap too that will work. There are lots of other similar (from a look/features/feel stand point) distributions to choose from if you would rather not. This is less damaging to free software.

On the other hand if you want to support free software then join the club and get yourself a real wireless card.

http://libre.thinkpenguin.com/ (25% of the profits go to Trisquel- not to mention it helps increase the different formats/hardware available for Trisquel and GNU/Linux in general)

Yes.

Yes.

Please remember that the Trisquel project is committed to free software. The community is supposed to never give instructions for installing proprietary software. This includes the firmware for your Wifi card. In our opinion, this is not "helping" to invite the reader to give up some of her freedoms.

It doesn't matter if it's one 'piece' or a thousand pieces of proprietary software. You have missed the point of running a truly free operating system like Trisquel. Providing assistance in installing proprietary drivers does not help the cause - at all.

>However, I like the assurance that every other piece of software running on my computer is Free, except for the stuff I put on there myself, not from the repositories.

Please remember that the Trisquel project is committed to free software. The
community is supposed to never give instructions for installing proprietary
software. This includes the firmware for your Wifi card. In our opinion, this
is not "helping" to invite the reader to give up some of her freedoms.

It doesn't matter if it's one 'piece' or a thousand pieces of proprietary
software. You have missed the point of running a truly free operating system
like Trisquel. Providing assistance in installing proprietary drivers does
not help the cause - at all.

>However, I like the assurance that every other piece of software running on
my computer is Free, except for the stuff I put on there myself, not from the
repositories.