| Free Software Foundation courts hardware vendors |
Mar. 02, 2007
The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is expanding beyond its software boundaries, and reaching out to hardware vendors to encourage them to "work with the free software community" to establish a "mutually beneficial relationship." It's all spelled out in a just-published whitepaper.
On March 1, the FSF released "The road to hardware free from restrictions," written by Justin Baugh and Ward Vandewege, senior systems administrators for the FSF. In it, they detail ways for major hardware manufacturers to work with free software for the benefit of both.
In the past, the FSF has restricted itself primarily to software issues. This is a new focus for the venerable free software group.
Specifically, the FSF is recommending that manufacturers take action in five areas:- Support free software drivers
- End the "Microsoft Tax"
- Remove proprietary BIOS locks
- Support a free BIOS
- Reject DRM (aka "Digital Restrictions Management")
In a statement, Peter Brown, FSF executive director, said, "With the growing utilization of free software and the rejection of Microsoft's Vista, large vendors like HP, Dell, Lenovo and Sun have the opportunity and responsibility to acknowledge the market for hardware suitable for free software users -- hardware that meets ethical requirements for user freedom, privacy and security. We hope that this paper will focus attention on what needs to get done in the coming months."
In recent months, the Linux community has been reaching out to hardware vendors in several ways. The Linux Foundation, via the Portland project, has been working with OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) on audio, printing, and WiFi. Linux kernel developer Greg Kroah-Hartman's offer to freely create Linux drivers for hardware has also garnered interest from vendors.
The FSF, however, takes a different approach. For example, Kroah-Hartman is willing to put up with proprietary binary firmware and non-disclosure agreements if that's what it takes to get a device working properly with Linux. In its paper, the FSF declares this approach to be so much "smoke and mirrors -- it creates the illusion that the hardware vendor respects freedom while the concerns of the community remain marginalized."
What the FSF wants is for PC vendors to require their hardware vendors to freely release all of their low-level technical documentation for the hardware that goes into their computers. The logic is that if a major company like a Dell, HP, or Sun demands that subsystem vendors -- such as graphics-card companies ATI and NVIDIA -- release their APIs (application programming interfaces) and other code, these vendors will deliver the open-source goods, rather than lose a major customer. The benefit to the computer companies from doing this, the FSF contends, will be a "reputation for hardware free of restrictions equates to positive product reviews, a stronger brand image and increased sales."
The FSF also argues that the PC companies should free themselves from Microsoft by, if not offering a Linux distribution, at least offering the option of "no operating system" to consumers. In addition, it encourages systems vendors to reduce the price of the system by the cost of the Microsoft OEM license.
The advantage of doing this, the FSF claims, is that "By selling and promoting more hardware without a pre-installed operating system, or with a GNU/Linux operating system, [PC] vendors will become less dependent on Microsoft." It will also mean that the "millions of people [who] are already using GNU/Linux systems ... will undoubtedly support vendors that sell hardware without subjecting their customers to the 'Microsoft tax.'" In turn, this will "mean lower prices and increased sales."
While some PC makers, like Dell with its nSeries, offer computers without an installed operating system, these companies do not, by and large, sell them for lower prices.
Finally, the FSF writers point out that DRM has proven to be "insecure, arduous and unmanageable." This, combined with customer resentment towards arbitrary DRM restrictions, is creating a marketplace where "The free software community will flock to any vendor that protects the rights of the consumer by delivering 'hardware free from restrictions.' Vendors that sell equipment that is 'defective by design' will see their sales and community support diminished."
The FSF says it is willing to help any vendors who want to explore these pathways, by working with them.
-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
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