tyler <tyler.sm...@mail.mcgill.ca> wrote: > I just noticed a new package in squeeze, firmware-linux, which contains > the binary firmware that was formerly included in Debian kernels [...]
> What I want to know is what kinds of problems I might experience when I > move to a 'free' kernel? [...] It's now become /really/ awkward to install Debian on DELL 2950s or any other kit containing Broadcom NICs. You need to have a USB stick that contans the relevant firmware package, and have that present during the installation process. In and of itself this is only mildly fiddly. However, it gets /very/ interesting indeed when using the Remote Access features in LOM grade servers such as the 2950. (Virtual console. Virtual CDROM. Fortunately, also virtual USB stick.) If I wasn't such a diehard Debian advocate, I'd have seriously considered moving to another distribution. On the other hand, I can completely understand /why/ Debian installations no longer include non-free software. I'm not completely sure where I sit on the Convenience vs FOSS seesaw. Chris -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org
