>     Ok,

>     That was interesting....

>     Here's my thinking on the how and the why.

>     definition of terms:
>     user = the person using the installer to install Devuan.
>     module = linux kernel module.
>     hardware = reference to the particular chipset(s) in scope, be they
>     SoC or plug in cards or devices.
>     firmware = non-free binary blob that is required to be loaded by the
>     standard kernel module for the hardware in scope in order for the
>     hardware to operate.
>     essential: required for proper operation.

>     How:
>     ****

>     I will build a (udeb) package called firmware-reqd that:

>     1) Will provide an early detection of a select list of common
>     essential hardware that:
>        a) requires a non-free firmware blob
>        b) is essential to make the system use-able enough to complete
>     the installation to a bootable state.

>     2) Upon detection of said hardware, I will provide a prompt
>     informing the user about the specific piece(s) of hardware detected
>     that require non-free firmware to and give them the option to load
>     that firmware and continue the installation or abort it at that point.

>     3) Only firmware meeting the above criteria will be included in the
>     iso, but not used or loaded unless the operator specifically chooses
>     to do so.

>     4) The choice to use non-free firmware will naturally lead to the
>     question about whether the related firmware deb packages should be
>     installed during the install.  I could provide an option here,
>     defaulting to yes but allowing deselection for those who may want to
>     leverage the non-free firmware only during install but not on the
>     running system.

>     Note: When non-free firmware udebs are installed by debconf my
>     understanding is that each of them will present the user a license
>     upon which is also required to be accepted before that udeb is
>     installed.

>     ****

>     Why this approach:

>     I agree in principle about using strictly free/libre open source
>     software, and where I have the choice I personaly will select
>     hardware that aligns with those principles.

>     However, I would not want my choices to become the tool that would
>     punish those less informed, or unable to make the sacrifices
>     required to comply entirely with that principle. To do so would be
>     ungracious and unrealistic, and boils down to elitism and puritanism.

>     Nevertheless, to silently let the installation of non-free firmware
>     be done without recognition and challenge is not right either.  So I
>     see the most gracious approach is to inform the users and grant them
>     the opportunity to choose how they would like to proceed.  It gives
>     opportunity for those who for conscience sake would refuse non-free
>     firmware to do so, whilst not enforcing that choice an all users.

>     I think that this is a reasonable approach, and once the above
>     proposed package is ready, it is my intention to have it included in
>     the official installer images we ship.  Anyone that strongly objects
>     can re-build their own installers without the non-free firmware
>     packages added.