Re: free tg3 ethernet driver

[Chris Snook <csnook@redhat.com>]

Davi Leal wrote:
> We would like to have a tg3 driver which would be accepted as free by the 
> FSF's standards.

I would like a pony.

> At least some part of the driver seems to be GPL'ed; see [1].  However, the 
> FSF's hardware guide lists tg3 as non-free, so there seems to be a non-free 
> firmware somewhere.
> 
>  [1]
>  http://www.broadcom.com/support/ethernet_nic/driver-sla.php?driver=570x-Linux

Firmware blobs aren't news.  They've been discussed at great length on 
this list.  If you want to whine about this, whine to Broadcom.

> We would like to be able to use the free driver with Linux 2.6.27 or later.

You must be new here.

> Donation pledge group at
>   http://gnuherds.org/pledges?id=58
> Current donations: $101 USD

Gigabit NICs with firmware-free drivers cost $10.  If you care that much 
about the binary blob in tg3, maybe you should stop giving your money to 
Broadcom, and start giving it to vendors whose drivers satisfy your 
requirements.

-- Chris