Do you want a free linux distro on the tablets?
 

The closed source software/hardware parts of maemo and the tablets makes it hard to get better software running on the tablets.

If the support from nokia is dropped, as for the N770, some drivers of the device cannot be updated without reverse engineering.

There are lots of examples of mobile devices with open linux distros in the net which have a community long time support :).

What do you think?

Re: Do you want a free linux distro on the tablets?
 

So, what've you got ready?

Re: Do you want a free linux distro on the tablets?
 

Idea is nice. Was discussed many times here, in maemo lists and even lwn.net article http://lwn.net/Articles/229838/

Basically if you don't mind living with proprietary bootloader, initfs and old 2.6.16 kernel you can make otherwise free distribution. But if you don't mind such closed stuff you may as well run 2007 hacker edition and try to improve it.

Re: Do you want a free linux distro on the tablets?
 

For example i contributed an algorithm design which made it in the linux kernel. Hence i already contributed something.
From an email i know that it is also included in gnu hurd now :).

I also contributed several 10000 lines of code under GPL. This does not make me an expert in building linux distros.

Re: Do you want a free linux distro on the tablets?
 

This would be a nice start.

Re: Do you want a free linux distro on the tablets?
 

Start for what? Free disto? Perhaps not. There are again binary blobs strategically laid out in many places so it is hard to fix bugs or change parts of the system. You risk hitting some wall sooner or later.

Good start of free distro would be something that mobile-ubuntu guys are cooking or OPIE, GPE, OpenMoko .... But again even if it is good idea it won't happen because of this or another discussion. People who could make it real are not waiting for such discussion but are either already doing it or spending their time elsewhere. I don't believe such discussion or poll can change their priorities.

Re: Do you want a free linux distro on the tablets?
 

I'm afraid that if any completely open mobile device is released that the support from the parent company will be gone very quickly. I think so because: the die hard nerds will be able to make their own distro (removing a very vocal lobby group), and also because the company will think that the free open source community will provide for upgrades, so they won't have too.

This will cause a lot of different distros with compatibility problems. This will make it much more difficult for newbies to get started and getting the most out of the system. The system will stay a nerd gadget.

All the different distros are fine on the PC because there are a lot of systems, and they are (mostly) compatible. On a mobile device that sells limited numbers such a diversification will kill community support because there will be too little user for each distro.

A mobile open source device needs a certain amount of support from a parent company and a certain amount of community developers in order to succeed.
And I don't think opening up a device completely will increase either.

Re: Do you want a free linux distro on the tablets?
 

BTW, I'm not saying that it is bad idea to help with hacker edition. Just that it is not the way to have free distro.

Re: Do you want a free linux distro on the tablets?
 

Yes, this is my reason for spending time elsewhere and not building yet another free distro. I've seen some free distros struggling and I see Nokia IT200x system and community as a better way of wasting my time (despite those closed parts).
I disagree. Many people won't help Nokia with improving their system because of these closed parts and their free ideals. Opening up device completely may mean less people starting their own free distro and more people adopting it and helping with improving existing system.

Re: Do you want a free linux distro on the tablets?
 

We already have the Zaurus mess, no need to start again :-)