![]() ![]() Parabola developers chose a refreshing approach to limiting the availability of non-free software while maintaining the ability to use Arch mirrors: all the “liberated” (built with special options or otherwise stripped off the non-free parts) packages are included in a separate “libre” repository the blacklisting of non-free packages is done with a virtual “your-freedom” package that doesn’t install any files but conflicts with a long list of packages. Unless one relies on Skype or Adobe Flash, this shouldn’t be a big deal (especially with Gnash and Lightspark addressing the later issue available in repositories). Regarding the amount of free software available for Unix-like systems, this limitation is by far less painful then the firmware issues though. The choice of software in Parabola is also limited to free software only. The distribution doesn’t pre-install any desktop environment or tools apart from those used in init scripts and pacman – the package manager. (I still could use my HTC Magic with a custom Gingerbread ROM as a USB 3G/WiFi modem, though having something always connected to USB port is pretty annoying on laptop and specifically on netbook.)Īs in Arch, after installing Parabola GNU/Linux you only get bare system. Eg., after installing it on my Acer Aspire One 531h netbook I couldn’t use my Broadcom bluetooth module and Intel’s WiFi/WiMax Link 5150 adapter. That effectively means that many devices are not supported in Parabola. The binary drivers for ATi/AMD and NVIDIA video adapters are also not included for the same reasons. Parabola GNU/Linux sticks with that kernel. The Latin American branch of FSF maintains the “Linux-libre” project with all the in-kernel non-free firmwares removed and loading of separately available firmware is disabled. FSF’s position on this issue is completely different: every binary without source code available must be removed. Eg., the OpenBSD’s campaign against blobs didn’t target firmware, and the base system of OpenBSD includes the firmware for all the supported devices unless there are legal concerns regarding redistribution. In BSD community such firmware is regarded as part of hardware. Historically the firmware was stored on ROMs inside the hardware and didn’t require any handling from operating system but more and more devices that need firmware load operations handling in driver emerge these days. The device drivers on start load such firmware into the actual hardware, where it runs invisibly for operating system. Some hardware (including most WiFi and Bluetooth adapters) uses closed-source software (commonly referred to as “firmware”) for its operation. The compatibility of distributions even allows the Arch users to migrate from Arch without re-installing system by emitting 6 commands in terminal. Effectively, long term Arch user won’t feel any difference in user experience unless the hardware support is concerned. The installer features the additional message about the download locations being the only sources of “libre” repository packages. It has its own branding elements (eg., Arch’s blue color is replaced with purple for console messages’ decorations). It doesn’t allow installation of non-free software (obviously).Īdditional repository “libre” is used for completely free versions of packages that are non-free in Arch. Parabola GNU/Linux is based on Arch Linux with differences being subtle: ![]() In this article we are going to look at the most recent entry on the list – Parabola GNU/Linux. Specifically for such users Free Software Foundation developed Guidelines for Free System Distributions and created the list of absolutely free (“as in freedom”) distributions. Some people are motivated by the moral issue: they reject non-free software. There are different reasons people use Unix-like operating systems, including configurable, availability free of charge, powerful command line interface an many more. ![]()
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