**** BEGIN LOGGING AT Mon Dec 11 02:59:57 2006
Dec 11 14:30:18 <lucif> hi
Dec 11 14:32:59 <lucif> I think buy a nslu2 and I'd like know if nslu2-linux project is legal. Could somebody say me?
Dec 11 14:41:47 <Tobbe> ofcourse it's legal
Dec 11 14:41:53 <Tobbe> why wouldn't it be?
Dec 11 14:45:34 <lucif> I thought change firmware to no-official version wasn't legal. but Thank you :)
Dec 11 14:46:00 <kirma> it's certainly legal in the case of this device, at least
Dec 11 14:46:45 <kirma> just changing the firmware is not an attempt to circumvent protections protected by DCMA or similar brain-damaged legistlation
Dec 11 14:47:48 <kirma> not to mention the software used on the device is GPLd open source, it doesn't really give much legal room for linksys to claim replacing the firmware would be circumvention of any sort.
Dec 11 14:48:39 <kirma> well, there's one detail, that's NPE firmware images whose sources are not available publicly, but even those aren't an issue in this sense.
Dec 11 14:48:41 <Tobbe> lucif: You would probably void your warranty though...
Dec 11 14:49:22 <kirma> yep, warranty gets voided if you open and/or solder the device. I think that's not necessary for basic usage of linux distributions, though...
Dec 11 14:50:33 <lucif> Is not it necessary?
Dec 11 14:51:12 <kirma> bad reflash might result device ending up in completely unbootable state (first-phase boot loader corrupted or wiped out), I don't know how easily you can get linksys to fix it if that happens (but reflashing the boot loader shouldn't be necessary)
Dec 11 14:51:35 <lucif> well
Dec 11 14:51:47 <kirma> lucif: I don't know in practice, since I hack FreeBSD installation on nslu2, but that's the idea I got.
Dec 11 14:52:35 <lucif> I want developing too. I hope can help with some thing.
Dec 11 14:53:50 <kirma> you can connect to the boot loader over ethernet (it's timing-dependent but possible), but kernel development is a thing that can be extremely tricky without serial cable soldering
Dec 11 14:54:33 <kirma> but installing new kernels, new distribution images and developing userland software should be quite doable without serial cable.
Dec 11 14:54:59 <kirma> just be pedantic and don't overwrite the boot loader :>
Dec 11 14:56:13 <lucif> I will send request today. It will arrive in 16 days
Dec 11 14:57:15 <kirma> lots of time to browse the pages ;)
Dec 11 14:58:51 <kirma> some sort of external storage is likely to be very helpful, like usb memory stick (may have somewhat limited lifetime), or usb-connected hard drive (probably lasts longer, more capacity, but of course tends to cost more)
Dec 11 14:59:57 <kirma> but really, I haven't hacked linux stuff on that board, only FreeBSD.
Dec 11 15:00:30 <lucif> Yes, my brother buy a hard driver .. as present. I only buy the slug
Dec 11 15:00:47 <kirma> have fun :)
Dec 11 15:01:12 <lucif> and excuse me if it don't understand good.. but my english is too bad.. 
Dec 11 15:02:09 <lucif> ^^
Dec 11 15:09:13 <kirma> np
Dec 11 15:13:37 <lucif> i have leave to studying.. thanks and i will return .. i hope don't boring...  ^^ bye
**** ENDING LOGGING AT Tue Dec 12 02:59:57 2006