Re: No ethernet service during install

[Philip McGrath]

On 8/2/21 11:15 AM, Leo Famulari wrote:> I believe this is the Linux 
configuration option / driver:
> https://cateee.net/lkddb/web-lkddb/BNX2.html
>
> However, since it appears that this driver is not free software,
> linux-libre will have disabled it and it won't be supported within GNU
> Guix.

To be unambiguous, GNU Guix as a project, on principle,[1][2] does not 
support or recommend non-free software.

By those same principles, since `guix` itself is free software, you have 
"the freedom to run the program as [you] wish, for any purpose."[1] In 
that sense, Guix "supports" any software you instruct it to install: it 
does not attempt any technical measures to second-guess your decision.

Perhaps that should be obvious, but of course there are some systems 
which do restrict their users from installing and running software that 
the system's developers have not approved.

My understanding is that some people do use Guix to install non-free 
software: I'm not one of them, but I'm confident you'll find them if you 
go looking for them. You won't find them here, though, out of respect 
for the Guix project's principled decision never to recommend installing 
non-free software.

I'm sure the outcome we'd all prefer would be to have a free driver for 
your ethernet card! Unfortunately I don't know anything about that.

-Philip

[1]: https://gnu.tools/en/documents/social-contract/
[2]: https://www.gnu.org/distros/free-system-distribution-guidelines.html