OpenWrt One - celebrating 20 years of OpenWrt

[Bjørn Mork]

Ivan Ivanov <qmastery16 at gmail.com> writes:

> blobless ath9k

OK, I'll bite.

Get yourself a microscope and look closer at that chip.  You might find
some code in there, even if the driver didn't load any.  Please ask
Qualcomm for the source and come back when you've got it.

Modern systems contain a large number of binary blobs.  Every single
processor will come with some kind of firmware attached - either in
persistent storage hidden from the rest of the system or as files for
some driver to load.  And there are processors everywhere.  In the SoC
obviously, in the WiFi controllers, in the switch, in any peripheral, in
the LED controller, etc.

A "libre" system is an illusion. It is completely impossible to create
any sort of modern computer with no closed source parts.

Of course, I know of many projects claiming otherwise.  They are
clinging to some very limited defintion of the hardware vs software
border, allwong them to define any non-upgradable chip as "hardware".
Which is utterly stupid since this actually prevents the system from
ever being able to run open source code on that chip.

Just my .02 €


Bjørn