Conversation

Notices

1. Embed this notice
   SuperDicq (superdicq@minidisc.tokyo)'s status on Tuesday, 25-Nov-2025 18:10:24 JST SuperDicq

   • Tulip ?️‍⚧️
   • mei

   @domi@donotsta.re @Lili@donotsta.re @mei@donotsta.re It's misleading to say "only difference is that you don't see it".
   
   The actual important difference here is that you conveniently forgot to mention is that the firmware is not upgradable and read-only.
   
   It's not ideal obviously. I would prefer to have a fully upgradable card with free software. But at least these Atheros cards are more fair, because there is no injustice between user and developer (neither of them can change the software anymore, it's baked into the hardware)

   • Embed this notice
     翠星石 (suiseiseki@freesoftwareextremist.com)'s status on Tuesday, 25-Nov-2025 18:12:48 JST 翠星石

     in reply to

     • Tulip ?️‍⚧️
     • mei
     @SuperDicq @domi @Lili @mei ROM that is not socketed and therefore cannot be swapped out is hardware, not firmware.
     
     If you nobody can change it, it's not software.
     
     All Wi-Fi cards with a microprocessor have microprocessor instructions in ROM - although those that have the ability to load software often have a malicious circuit in the ROM to stop you from replacing the software.