Re: [GNU-linux-libre] PureOS added to endorsed distro list - what about the kernel?

[Zlatan Todoric]

On 12/22/2017 06:41 PM, Zlatan Todoric wrote:
> Hi Henry,
>
>
> On 12/22/2017 05:18 PM, Henry Jensen wrote:
>> Hallo,
>>
>> congratulations for adding a great distro to the list.
>>
>> However, it seems that PureOS is not using the linux-libre kernel but a
>> kernel based on Debian's Linux kernel.
> Yes, that is correct.
>
>> When I tried to get ConnochaetOS [0] on this list the last time, people
>> explained to me, that ConnochaetOS can't be endorsed because it doesn't
>> use linux-libre and the Debian based kernel requests non-free firmware
>> files and does write the names of those files to the system log. See the
>> thread at
>> https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/gnu-linux-libre/2017-08/msg00013.html
> I will not read into thread but I can also add this: Debian kernel
> itself doesn't contain non-free firmware at all (they are separate
> packages in non-free repo that we sync too). Debian does allow if
> something wants to find firmware and it has non-free repo enabled, that
> it can be installed. This gets to bottom part...

Correction here: "that we don't sync to". PureOS only sync to Debian
main and we patch/change some defaults to get more to our goals
(freedom, security and convenience).

>
>> Now, I installed PureOS and it seems, PureOS does use the same Debian
>> based deblob mechanism as does ConnochaetOS.
>>
>> To verify it, I tried the PureOS ISO from
>> https://downloads.puri.sm/snapshots/2017-11-11/pureos-8.0-live-amd64.hybrid.iso
>> and booted it on a notebook with a wifi chip which does need non-free
>> firmware. And indeed I see in dmesg the following message (among others):
>>
>> iwlwifi: 0000:03:00.0 firmware: failed to load iwlwifi-6000g2a-6.ucode (-2)
> And as you see it says "failed to load" which means, yes, it wanted to
> see if there is such firmware in kernel but it couldn't find it. So, in
> the end, Debian kernel is Free and PureOS archive is entirely based on
> Debian main archive (no contrib and non-free) and there is no code that
> is non-free in (we even do Freedom bugs in tracker to make Debian main
> "more" Free).
>
>> So, of course I want to know how PureOS can use this Debian based
>> kernel and be endorsed while ConnochaetOS can't?
> Well, if the only issue was Debian's kernel, I don't see it as stop sign
> and you should re-apply. Notice that Debian kernel in past didn't deblob
> firmware from it but in recent times that is the case now as well, so
> maybe some people remember it like that.
>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Henry
> Cheers,
>
> Z
>
>>
>>
>>
>> [0] https://connochaetos.org/
>>
>>
>> On Thu, 21 Dec 2017 10:54:29 -0500
>> Donald Robertson <address@hidden> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello all,
>>>
>>> We just wanted to give the list a heads up on our forthcoming
>>> announcement of adding PureOS to our list of endorsed distros. Quite
>>> some time ago they wrote to this list and got feedback about their
>>> distro. From that time, they've been working with us to address concerns
>>> that were brought up in that thread, such as removing leftover
>>> problematic code from Firefox, fixing up their bug tracker, and making
>>> clearer the separation between Purism and PureOS. They've addressed our
>>> concerns, and are actively maintaining freedom-related issues in their
>>> bug tracker
>>> <https://tracker.pureos.net/tag/freedom-harm_need_nonfree_code/>. The
>>> endorsement program depends on the community to help projects to
>>> maintain their free status, and we are satisfied with PureOS's
>>> commitment to maintaining that status. After this announcement, we'll be
>>> moving our focus to working with other pending candidates for
>>> endorsement, but maintaining a free distro is a task that needs
>>> everyone's help. If there are issues that you can help PureOS with,
>>> please do make use of the bug tracker, and make sure to CC
>>> <address@hidden> so you can be rewarded with a GNU Buck
>>> <https://www.gnu.org/help/gnu-bucks.en.html> if you do find a problem.
>>> Thank you all for your help in bringing PureOS up to speed, and we look
>>> forward to your continued help on future distros seeking endorsement.
>>> -- 
>>> Donald R. Robertson, III, J.D.
>>> Licensing & Compliance Manager
>>> Free Software Foundation
>>> 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor
>>> Boston, MA 02110
>>> Phone +1-617-542-5942
>>> Fax +1-617-542-2652 ex. 56
>>>
>