Linux Mint Forums

I would like to request that the b43 firmware be included by default. For installs of Ubuntu/Mint as it stands I have to use my Wireless USB Adapter in order to grab the firmware. Would be nice if the firmware was installed by default. I know Tresquel started doing this (I did email them the request back when they didn't).

The so-called free or open firmware, a replacement firmware made outside Broadcom, is indeed preinstalled in some distros. It still lacks a lot of features and is somehow experimental. But indeed it would be a good idea to include it. With Trisquel being more or less Ubuntu compatible it wouldn't be too hard to get it working on Mint as well.

The B43 firmware you get from the repository as b43-fwcutter or firmware-b43-installer is Broadcom's own firmware. It works often better, or with more features, than the open firmware but Broadcom does not allow redistributing it.

AlbertP wrote:The so-called free or open firmware, a replacement firmware made outside Broadcom, is indeed preinstalled in some distros. It still lacks a lot of features and is somehow experimental. But indeed it would be a good idea to include it. With Trisquel being more or less Ubuntu compatible it wouldn't be too hard to get it working on Mint as well.

The B43 firmware you get from the repository as b43-fwcutter or firmware-b43-installer is Broadcom's own firmware. It works often better, or with more features, than the open firmware but Broadcom does not allow redistributing it.

I usually just check the firmware-b43-installer when getting the firmware. So that is what I am referring too, dunno if Tresquel is using that or the b43 package, but meh.