linuxmemes

You install Hannah Montana Linux on their cars and their spouses.

Strongly worded!

In theory, yes, you could make a mess, and any firmware is supposed to be certified to allow the device to be used.

In practice, this has been a convenient excuse to keep a whole chip with a separate OS in every smartphone, and it is very difficult to isolate from the rest of the system (see Graphene OS efforts).

I say all firmware should be opensource. Whether you're allowed to change them or not is a separate question... for now.

Isn't this actually more likely to happen if it's closed-source, since the code isn't visible to third-parties like security researchers? That's why zero days are a thing.

I have a Brother laser printer. (I love it, but that's not important here.)

The firmware doesn't support duplexing A5 paper. I'm wondering if this is a good place to dip my toe into the world of open source driver development.

The problem is the most important parts of inkjet/laser printers are pretty difficult to make by hand.

You can DIY a plotter though. Probably could figure out a continuous supply of ink to the pen too?

If such a thing exists (DIY paper printers), I would like to know more, because the level of frustration I have with all the major printer mfrs I've used, is too damn high.

Bonus points if it's a laser printer, extra bonus points if the components for the printer can be 3D printed (with obvious exceptions).

I just want a good, wired, network printer for everyday crap that I can use once in a blue moon for stupid documents that someone wants me to print, sign, scan and send back to them because they haven't figured out how to do e-signatures yet.... And the odd extra thing I need to print. Every time I print it seems like I need to reinstall the printer or update something to make it work. I buy laser printers so the ink doesn't dry out before I can use it. The whole thing is so damned frustrating. Also, bluntly, unless you're doing photo work, never buy an inkjet. They're cheap, and there's a reason they're cheap. Inkjet has better color representation, so photo printers should probably be inkjet, for everything else, do yourself a favor and buy a laser printer. Toner lasts much, much, longer.

An open source printer, you say? Interesting idea

Well, you can buy rubber stamps?

Super agree, paper printers are a scam imo

Just an FYI, that's not illegal because it falls under the U.S. Constitutional protection of free speech; so also is printing and constructing them. Selling them or distributing guns as physical products is not protected, and is in fact illegal.

• Framework laptops have open source ~~firmware~~ BIOS.
• The Talos II workstation from raptor computers (using an IBM power9 processor) is entirely open source including now its network card but that's a $10,000 computer
• You can make a Chromebook fully open source but it takes a little work

Vote with your wallet 👍

How exactly are you donating to Firefox? Mozilla foundation is not Firefox and Firefox is unlikely to see any money you give to Mozilla.

Every pound counts? That’s what she said

I was going to but I have no £

My hardware isn't supported

It's about everything. Computers, phones, the computer that makes your car work. Every bit of electronics that boots - that probably includes your smoke detector and oven