Linux Mint Forums

I know, this is old news! I recently switched from Ubuntu to LMDE because I heard it was sexy (it is!) and I wanted rolling releases. This news concerns me though.

The thing is, while I value freedom as much as the next Debian user out there I only value it up until the point that proprietary bits and pieces work better than those free pieces. How will Mint source its kernels now that Debian has split out the free from the non-free? Will we just give users a free kernel, recompile it ourselves, or just take the stock kernel as it comes from the maintainers ( I assume free and non-free mixed together)?

I switched to LMDE for the ease of use (hopefully) and simplicity. I also would rather I didn't lose essential features of the kernel in the future because Debian stuck to what they had always aimed for, a completely free system. I'm sure I could try out this liquorix this or even compile my own and while I have before I'd rather not do it again

As an aside, I've thought of Arch, and PCLinux, and even Fefora (and I might try Fedora), but I've become really used to the apt way of doing things, Arch seems like a bear to maintain over time, and PCLinux is still my baby on the side <3

All the packages pulled from the kernel are in one metapackage - firmware-linux. That metapackage has firmware-linux-free and firmware-linux-nonfree in it, which can be installed individually. In LMDE or Debian, if you want those packages, just install them.

If your system requires specific non-free drivers to install Debian Squeeze, there will be an option to use an image with those included or the ability to add them in during installation as always.

Yep, this is old news, but there has been plenty of time for everyone to have read about it. Now, they know the scoop in advance of the Squeeze release. No reason for concern. Good times ahead this weekend.

I can totally relate to user 'psych1610'.I like 'free' open source apps, because i love reading the source code in them.but i use some non free things like oracle/sun java plugin and ati prop drivers for compatibility sake and performance.

As long as the non-free option will be available to the user via a package manager or otherwise, I will have no issue with Debian trying to make sure they don't contravene any commercial interests

• Just like any other Linux distribution that does the same thing

--we still, so far have access to decss library for dvd reading of movie files, unless Hollywood and DVD authors/manufacturers change the game..

--we still, so far have access to decss
library for dvd reading of movie files,
unless Hollywood and DVD authors/
manufacturers change the game..

lets hope not, but i would love to see them author movies in theora/ogg formats.