Bug#1035318: ITP: golang-github-bemasher-rtltcp -- Go library interface to an rtltcp daemon
Package: wnpp Severity: wishlist Owner: John Scott X-Debbugs-Cc: debian-devel@lists.debian.org Control: block 1025210 by -1 * Package name: golang-github-bemasher-rtltcp * URL : https://github.com/bemasher/rtltcp * License : AGPLv3 Programming Lang: Go Description : Go library interface to an rtltcp daemon This is a Go library that allows programs a high-level means of interacting with rtltcp, a daemon that allows for remote control of an RTL-SDR (if you're familiar with SoapyRemote, it's similar). This is the last remaining dependency for packaging rtlamr, a program from the same author. Note that this library is under the AGPLv3, not the ordinary GPL, so applications that use it need to be AGPL-compatible (generally means AGPL or GPL), and then the final binary is subject to the AGPL. I'm aware of the recent discussions around Berkeley DB and how problematic this can be for programs that aren't traditionally thought of as being network-facing, but since rtlamr is by the same author under the same license and thought to be its only user, my opinion is that this is pretty insignificant. If other programs use this library someday, of course, we'll have to check that they are respectful of the license. I will maintain this in the Debian Go Team's umbrella and in accordance with their practices because it's written in Go, but it will be used mostly by ham radio folks. I'm not a Debian Developer or Maintainer, so I'm grateful to have already identified a possible sponsor who is knowledgeable in both areas. signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part smime.p7s Description: S/MIME cryptographic signature
Bug#1033888: ITP: usbscale -- read weight data from a USB scale
Package: wnpp Severity: wishlist Owner: John Scott Tags: newcomer X-Debbugs-Cc: debian-devel@lists.debian.org * Package name : usbscale Upstream Contact: Eric Jiang * URL : https://github.com/erjiang/usbscale * License : GPL 3.0 or any later version Programming Lang: C Description : read weight data from a USB scale This package provides a utility one can use to read data from various USB scales, ones which are sold as postage scales in particular. Even though the program is very small, I still think it belongs in Debian. As far as I know, there are no applications in Debian that are capable of reading this sort of data. With usbscale, it's easy for medium-volume mailers to have scripts or utilities that talk to usbscale and, say, do automatic postage price computation. I use this application sometimes. I'm not a Debian Developer and will need a sponsor. I can't think of any pertinent teams to maintain it in, but since it's a small package, I see no problem with maintaining it on my own. I am familiar with Debian Packaging and will probably be able to get this out in the next few days. signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part
Bug#1025210: ITP: rtlamr -- RTL-SDR receiver for smart utility meters
Package: wnpp Severity: wishlist Owner: John Scott X-Debbugs-Cc: debian-devel@lists.debian.org, debian-h...@lists.debian.org, debian...@lists.debian.org * Package name : rtlamr Version : 0.9.1 Upstream Author : Douglas Hall * URL : https://github.com/bemasher/rtlamr * License : AGPLv3 only Programming Lang: Go Description : RTL-SDR receiver for smart utility meters rtlamr is a program for using an RTL-SDR (and maybe other SDRs?) to receive readings from smart utility meters. I use this software, an willing to maintain it, and will make sure it stays in good shape. I have confirmed that it works with commonly available meters. This is useful for a variety of creative purposes, such as analyzing one's own energy usage, or even energy usage within a community, or to identify water leaks. As far as I know, no other packages provide similar functionality. The closest package is rtl_433, and it doesn't support these devices. I'm neither DD nor DM and will need a sponsor. I will maintain this either within the Go Team or the Ham Radio Team. I've CC'ed both of them to see if it piques their interest or if they have a preference. I would really like it if a fellow ham would see about getting it to work with an alternate SDR. signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part
Re: Bug#980889: RFP: binutils-sh-elf -- cross binary utilities for SuperH bare-metal systems
On Fri, 2021-10-22 at 11:18 +0200, John Paul Adrian Glaubitz wrote: > I had a look at the package and it throws a number of lintian errors. Are you > planning to address these or are they common for all binutils-$ARCH-elf > packages > we currently have in Debian? I believe you're referring to debian-rules-missing-required-target and debian-rules-missing-recommended-target. In this case, Lintian seems to not recognize that I'm using Debhelper via the .DEFAULT target in the Makefile. I've filed a Lintian bug for this (#983539). If it's really bothersome, I could switch debian/rules from .DEFAULT: dh $@ to %: dh $@ but I personally prefer the former as a stylistic choice, and this would cover up an area where Lintian should be smarter. As for debian-rules-sets-DH_COMPAT, which is merely a warning, Lintian has this to say: > As of debhelper version 4, the DH_COMPAT environment variable is only > to be used for temporarily overriding debian/compat. Any line in > debian/rules that sets it globally should be deleted and a separate > debian/compat file created if needed. I don't set DH_COMPAT globally; I use it as a temporary override for dh_auto_configure, and my source comments explain why I do this. I would consider filing a Lintian bug, and still would if you'd like me to, but frankly I'd like to keep the warning around as a reminder that we should drop this hack when we're able. signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part
Bug#994625: ITP: carl9170fw -- libre firmware for AR9170 USB wireless adapters
Package: wnpp Severity: wishlist Owner: John Scott X-Debbugs-Cc: debian-devel@lists.debian.org, debian-ker...@lists.debian.org Control: block -1 by 986778 Control: block 890601 by -1 Control: affects -1 linux-firmware-free * Package name : carl9170fw Version : 1.9.9-399-gcd480b9 Upstream Author : Linux wireless maintainers * URL : https://github.com/chunkeey/carl9170fw * License : mostly GPLv2-only Programming Lang: C Description : libre firmware for AR9170 USB wireless adapters This is carl9170, the libre firmware for Qualcomm Atheros's AR9170 802.11n USB wireless adapters that complements the carl9170 Linux driver. carl9170 is already shipped in firmware-linux-free, but the primary objective of transitioning it into this new source package is to get it building from source. This is possible with the SuperH bare-metal cross toolchain I'm packaging. I will need sponsorship for this package (and am currently seeking sponsors for the cross toolchain too); the Kernel Team may help with the former. Regardless, co-maintainers/uploaders are welcome and I'd be glad to help prospective contributors get adapters, as they can be a little tricky to find. signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part
Re: debian 11 Bullseye RC 1
On Sat, 2021-05-29 at 23:26 +0500, Andrey Rahmatullin wrote: > > On Sat, 2021-05-29 at 07:27 -0400, Timothy M Butterworth wrote: > > > Can anyone suggest a WiFi USB adapter that works with debian? > > > > (Disclaimer: I'm the maintainer of the firmware-ath9k-htc package, > > and ThinkPenguin, one of the vendors, has compensated me for my work.) > > > > I suggest getting a wireless adapter that is Respects Your Freedom > > certified by the Free Software Foundation to work with only free > > software. You can see a list of those here: > > https://ryf.fsf.org/products?category=7 > No 802.11ac, right? Correct, to the best of my knowledge there don't exist any libre Wi-Fi adapters supporting 802.11ac, USB or otherwise. Even the OpenWifi project seems to have their sights set on 802.11n. In theory this might not be a hardware limitation, but a driver+firmware one. signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part
Re: debian 11 Bullseye RC 1
On Sat, 2021-05-29 at 07:27 -0400, Timothy M Butterworth wrote: > Can anyone suggest a WiFi USB adapter that works with debian? (Disclaimer: I'm the maintainer of the firmware-ath9k-htc package, and ThinkPenguin, one of the vendors, has compensated me for my work.) I suggest getting a wireless adapter that is Respects Your Freedom certified by the Free Software Foundation to work with only free software. You can see a list of those here: https://ryf.fsf.org/products?category=7 These are guaranteed to work with fully free software and free firmware. Most (all?) of the USB ones use the ath9k_htc chipset, and although they're not yet working with the installer (#934822) or working out of the box (#900171), they work if you install the firmware-ath9k-htc package. Alternatively, you may reply to me privately if you're looking for advice on how to hunt eBay for bargain ones, although then you're taking a gamble of whether a device really has the chip inside it's supposed to. signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part
Bug#986778: ITP: gcc-sh-elf -- GNU C compiler for embedded SuperH devices
Package: wnpp Severity: wishlist Owner: John Scott X-Debbugs-Cc: debian-devel@lists.debian.org, pkg-electronics-de...@alioth-lists.debian.net Control: block -1 by 912271 980889 * Package name : gcc-sh-elf Upstream Author : GNU Project * URL : https://gcc.gnu.org * License : GPL Programming Lang: C, C++ Description : GNU C compiler for embedded SuperH devices This native package will provide a build of gcc as a cross-compiler for bare-metal SuperH devices as well as a build of Newlib to serve as the ISO C standard library. My primary motivation is to make possible building carl9170, the libre wireless firmware for Atheros AR9170 USB wireless adapters, but it may be useful for other applications as well. I plan to maintain this within the Electronics Team. signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part
Re: Making Debian available
On Sunday, January 24, 2021 7:19:58 AM EST Bjørn Mork wrote: > What we are left with is users who are offended by the mere existence of > non-free binaries on a Debian image, and who see this as significantly > worse than the non-free firmware in their NIC, SSD, EC, CPU etc. The reason why, say, wireless firmware is more serious from a software freedom standpoint (and I believe the FSF's stance) is: 1. Unlike with SSD firmware, there are wireless cards that use libre firmware and some are still manufactured and quite easy to attain. The goalpost for free software moves with what has been achieved. One used to have to accept using a proprietary BIOS, but not anymore; Coreboot/Libreboot have pushed that boundary, so now it's been realized as something attainable. When the first libre SSD comes out, then we can worry about SSD freedom, because then we'll be able to lend our support. 2. Firmware copied by Debian onto a device's RAM is very easy to change for the manufacturer with an update: they get the liquidity of software at their disposal. The user doesn't get to take advantage of this, so the manufacturer holds a good amount of control over the user, comparable to ordinary software. Changing the firmware on an EEPROM is far less practical for the user or manufacturer (they're on similar footing), and if it's not electronically erasable, it's merely an object that can't be practically changed of which you'd need to make a new one anyway. I hope this explains the viewpoints of those opposed to the proprietary firmware in installation images, and why they distinguish it from other notions of firmware. signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part.
Re: Making Debian available
On Sunday, January 17, 2021 6:06:15 AM EST Bjørn Mork wrote: > All these USB devices work only because they come with firmware on a largish > flash. That's not the complete case. Of the modern libre USB WiFi dongles I know of, carl9170 (firmware for AR9170 chips) is included in firmware-linux-free and should be in the installer. These devices are a little older, but support 802.11n and even dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz connectivity for some. The newer flagship chips for USB wireless dongles, ath9k_htc (AR7010/AR9271), have libre firmware released by Qualcomm Atheros upon request of ThinkPenguin, their employees, and other interested parties. This firmware isn't included in the installer or installed by default with firmware-linux-free yet, but is provided by the firmware-ath9k-htc package I maintain. A takeaway from Theo de Raadt and the OpenBSD Project's successes on wireless devices is that it doesn't hurt to ask. IMHO, a message in the Debian Installer should be clear to place blame on the device manufacturers, something I don't think the current message about nonfree firmware emphasizes, signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part.
Re: [External] Re: Intel SOF audio firmware packaging
> firmware could also be built but dependencies would be hard to > package/maintain - as I understood - those need a forked xtensa > compiler. I'm adopting the firmware-ath9k-htc package at the moment, which also uses a forked xtensa compiler and is built from source. Rather than package the custom toolchain first, I build the toolchain in addition to the firmware at the same time. I don't know that I'll have time before the freeze to help, but after Bullseye is released I think it would be relatively unpainful with my groundwork laid. That said I've not looked at the audio firmware and if it typically needs to be digitally signed, that's a bummer. signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part.
Re: is Wayland/Weston mature enough to be the default desktop choice in Buster?
> Even then, AFAIR Qt does not enable Wayland support by default, and it > might need the following environment variables Having installed the packages, I'm able to choose KDE's Wayland session from SDDM and it works out-of-the-box. Applications don't run with Xwayland, and I've stumbled on some Wayland-specific bugs that've been reported already.
