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Proprietary Blobs and the Pursuit of a Free Kernel: related news
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blobs free kernel proprietary pursuit
jammag writes "Ever since the GNewSense team pointed out that the Linux kernel contains proprietary firmware blobs, the question of whether a given distro is truly free software has gotten messier, notes Linux pundit Bruce Byfield. The FSF changed the definition of a free distribution, and a search for how to respond to this new definition is now well underway. Who wins and what solutions are implemented could have a major effect on the future of free and open source software. Debian has its own solution (by allowing users to choose their download), as do Ubuntu and Fedora (they include the offending firmware by default but make it possible to remove it). Meanwhile, the debate over firmware rages on. What resolves this issue?"
in Web Developer
via Slashdot @ 23:36 28th Nov
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TechRepublic: "Jack Wallen comments on the debate that's broken out about the use of proprietary "blobs" in the "free" Linux kernel. How much "free" deserves the seal of approval from the Free Software Foundation? Does the expectation of 100-percent free software make sense?" Full Story...
in Developer
via IOL Technology @ 22:08 2nd Dec
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Given that the Linux kernel contains proprietary firmware blobs, determining whether a GNU/Linux distribution is actually free has gotten far less clear.
in Linux
via Linux.com @ 18:37 30th Nov
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TRNick writes "What's the state of free software, 25 years after GNU's birth? TechRadar has an interview with Richard Stallman to find out. Stallman thinks free software is making good progress: 'Nowadays hardware developers are also increasingly likely to publish the interface specs so that we can develop free software that works with the hardware. Perhaps we are turning the corner, but we still have a big fight on our hands before all computer users have freedom.' But how many of us actually run an operating system that Richard Stallman would consider free? Many of the more popular GNU/Linux distributions, including Mandriva and Ubuntu, bundle proprietary code with their free software packages. Perhaps free software has reached a large enough install base that companies are happy to use it for their own gain, but aren't quite so willing
in Web Developer
via Slashdot @ 12:49 4th Jan
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As a regular browser of the Firefox Add-ons site, I'm troubled by the apparent proliferation of proprietary extensions in the last year. Maybe I've simply exhausted the free-licensed extensions that interest me, but recently every interesting-looking extension seems to be a proprietary one -- especially in the recommended list. Nothing, of course, in the Mozilla privacy or legal notice prohibits proprietary extensions simply because they are proprietary, but I find them not only contrary to the spirit of free and open source software (FOSS), but, often, annoying attempts to entangle me in some impossible startup.
in Open Source
via Linux.com @ 18:44 19th Dec
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Linux.com: "As a regular browser of the Firefox Add-ons site, I'm troubled by the apparent proliferation of proprietary extensions in the last year. Maybe I've simply exhausted the free-licensed extensions that interest me, but recently every interesting-looking extension seems to be a proprietary one -- especially in the recommended list. Nothing, of course, in the Mozilla privacy or legal notice prohibits proprietary extensions simply because they are proprietary, but I find them not only contrary to the spirit of free and open source software (FOSS), but, often, annoying attempts to entangle me in some impossible startup." Full Story...
in Open Source
via IOL Technology @ 19:30 22nd Dec
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AVG Extends Availability of Free Security Software to Spanish-language Computer Users Latin American and Spanish-speaking North American residents benefit from native-language AVG Free 8.0 AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- AVG, a global anti-virus and Internet security software provider with over 85 million users in 167 countries, today announced the availability of the first Spanish-language version of its popular AVG Free 8.0 security software. The free software will be available to Spanish-speaking computer users throughout North and South America beginning December 2nd, 2008. The launch of the new Spanish-language version is part of an ongoing effort by the company to make its free product widely accessible to computer users worldwide.
in Computer Security
via Reuters @ 10:06 2nd Dec
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Kevin Martin, the outgoing FCC chairman, has pushing for a controversial free wireless internet plan, as part of the agency’s plan for the next slate of spectrum auction, reports WSJ. At its December meeting, FCC wants to put forth a plan to offer free, adult-material-free wireless Internet service to all Americans, despite objections from the wireless industry and some consumer advocacy groups. The plan involves that the winning spectrum bidder set aside a quarter of the airwaves for this free service, and would also charge for a faster wireless Internet connection. The free service could be slower and would be required to filter out pornography and other material not suitable for children, the story says. The consumer groups object to the filtering part, for which FCC has a runaround: adults could opt out of the filter and access all
in Online Auctions
via MocoNews.net @ 21:47 1st Dec
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Kevin Martin, the outgoing FCC chairman, is pushing for a controversial free wireless internet plan, as part of the agency’s plan for the next slate of spectrum auction, reports the WSJ. At its December meeting, the FCC wants to put forth a plan to offer free, adult-material-free wireless Internet service to all Americans, despite objections from the wireless industry and some consumer advocacy groups. The plan calls for the winning spectrum bidder to set aside a quarter of the airwaves for this free service, and would also allow it to charge for a faster wireless Internet connection. The free service could be slower and would be required to filter out pornography and other material not suitable for children, the story says. The consumer groups object to the filtering part, for which FCC has a workaround: Adults could opt out of the fil
in Online Auctions
via PaidContent.org @ 13:24 1st Dec
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Top Articles Directory on the web. Learn about Article Promotion and marketing. Visit Top Sites on the web.
in Computer Games
via I-Newswire @ 18:16 2nd Jan
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Knowing when a GNU/Linux distribution is free used to be simple. If all its software had licenses approved by the Free Software Foundation (FSF) or the Open Source Initiative, then a distribution was free. Otherwise, it wasn't.
in Linux
via LinuxPlanet @ 17:41 5th Dec
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Bhutan Telecom has revised the tariff rates that are effective from 1 December. The company is offering free missed call alerts and IMUP services for all B-Mobile users; free registration for Charo-Charo (FnF) and Choose-Ur-Group; plan based free talk-time with B-Mobile postpaid; BTN 100 free talk-time on fixed line; free activation of GPRS and EDGE for internet on mobile; activated SIM card with every purchase of B-Mobile data card; new telephone connection with DrukNet broadband internet connection and broadband installation if CPE is purchased from Bhutan Telecom. The customers need to subscribe for free to avail the services. The prepaid B-Mobile to B-Mobile On-Net call rates for 15 seconds during peak hours; off-peak hours and late-night is BTN 0.
in Mobile Technology
via Digital Media Asia @ 16:45 1st Dec
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Every day between now and Christmas Radio 1 will be making a different music track available for you to download for free.
in MP3
via Money @ 16:38 16th Dec
- Free Music Downloads from Radio 1">Related
You can claim £3 worth of DRM free MP3 music downloads from the Amazon.co.uk MP3 store on the 25th and 26th December, 2008.
in MP3
via Money @ 7:04 24th Dec
- £3 Free MP3 Music Downloads from...">Related
PRNewswire/ -- When doesn't free shipping mean free handling? As confusing as this sounds many retailers are offering free shipping promotions, as I've learned, this holiday season. Recently, I received a web promotion offering free shipping at Eddie Bauer. I was at the checkout section when I learned that the retailer was going to tack on a
in E-commerce
via Earthtimes.org @ 18:18 9th Dec
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Apple reportedly has signed a deal with three more major labels to bring more DRM-free MP3s to their iTunes digital music store. The announcement of the deal with Sony, Universal and Warner Music is expected to be the centerpiece of today’s Macworld Expo in San Francisco. Apple already had a DRM-free deal in place with EMI, so all four major labels would now have terms with Apple for unprotected music files. If the reports of going DRM-free are true, iTunes would significantly strengthen its grasp on the digital music industry. Competitors like the Amazon MP3 Store, Wal-Mart’s digital music store and eMusic all went DRM-free over a year ago but failed to gain traction on Apple’s service.
in MP3
via Rolling Stone @ 12:44 6th Jan
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Savage 2: A Tortured Soul, a FPS/RTS hybrid, is now available to play for free. It is the sequel to Savage: Battle For Newerth and Savage 2 is a fun game with impressive graphics and game play mechanics. The skinny on this free Savage 2 is that it's basically Natural Selection but with Humans vs Beastmen. The problem with Savage 2 was that there aren't many players at this point, and well, there wasn't that many to begin with when the game was released a year ago either.
in Computer Games
via NG4.com @ 23:52 10th Dec
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Right now, iSkysoft provides some Christmas free software, you may get free dvd ripper and discount ipod converter, psp converter, really Christmas hot deals.
in Gadgets
via Windows Vista Magazine @ 7:12 24th Dec
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447.35 Xerox Phaser 8560 Solid Ink Colour Printer - Duplex, Network, Free Nintendo DS, Pagepack, Responsible Printing Kit, Free
in Computer Games
via ITProPortal.com @ 14:47 12th Dec
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Free beer is a slogan with two magic words but can they be turned into the magic of art? The Danish art collective Superflex uses the slogan in its exhibition at Artspace. One exhibit is a recipe and apparatus for making and bottling beer. In truth the beer is not free - although a batch brewed on the opening night is for sale very cheaply. The point is that everyone has the ability to make beer. The slogan is an imperative, not an announcement: we should be free from slavery to advertised brands.
in Arts & Culture
via New Zealand Herald @ 5:26 3rd Dec
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Following the review of the framework for free phone services in the 800 range, Melita telephony customers now have access to calls to all free phone numbers. Similarly, fixed-line users on third party networks can call free phone numbers registered on Melita’s network.
in Mobile Technology
via Malta Independent Daily @ 10:07 7th Dec
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