Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 10:20:01 -0500 From: Michael Hernandez <sequethin@gmail.com> To: Adam Stroud <adam@thegeeklord.com> Cc: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: "Blob" and FreeBSD Message-ID: <1ACADDDF-715F-430A-A9B3-CBC1B51F9564@gmail.com> In-Reply-To: <442AA2B9.2030205@thegeeklord.com> References: <442A9DA0.9060703@thegeeklord.com> <9431F277-5B07-41B1-B80A-A56FB04C7E8F@gmail.com> <442AA2B9.2030205@thegeeklord.com>
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On Mar 29, 2006, at 10:07 AM, Adam Stroud wrote: > What about drivers that are not part of the ports collection? > Nvidia I can understand because the code is not in the kernel to > the best of my knowledge. If you want *the* nvidia driver, you > install the port. What about drivers for something like raid > controllers that would exist solely in the kernel? > > A Actually all the "port" does is download and install the official nvidia binary. I'm not sure about the division between user and kernel space in relation to the driver, but I can tell you for certain that without *the* nvidia driver, the support for the card is very minimal (e.g. using the nv driver). If I understood your OP, then you were wondering if the FreeBSD community and developers were against using blobs. My example was intended to show that FreeBSD is open to using binary drivers. Someone mentioned the NDIS project as well. Both of these are examples of how you can use FreeBSD with closed source, binary, proprietary "blobs". It wouldn't be possible without developer support, and I'm sure anyone with hardware that requires the use of the "blobs" is glad that FreeBSD gives the the capability of doing so. Personally, I would prefer not to rely on the blobs. But as I said, it's too late in regards to my current home PC. While I agree with the many points of the OpenBSD philosophy, I am glad FreeBSD seems to be more moderate in it's approach to open source. It's nice to have alternatives. Mike
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