Re: [libreplanet-discuss] We need clear advocacy for software freedom, not proprietary greenwashing

[J.B. Nicholson]

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Aaron E-J wrote:
> I guess where I was going with my line of reasoning is not to limit
> information on how to modify a device but actually do the opposite –
> make modification be easy and safe.

You can't make a device safe for others to fully own. Safety fears are no 
justification for unmodifiable devices, DRM, half-measures like open 
source, or any other restrictions that stand in the way of owners making 
their device work as they wish it to work. The owner determines how safe 
their device is, this is a part of the freedom of owning any device. It 
should suffice to warn the user in the documentation that this device is 
capable of killing someone and the included software is set up so as not to 
be lethal. Furthermore this should not be viewed as more risky than what 
these device owners face now because the extant proprietary software has 
already been demonstrated to be unsafe despite current unjustifiable 
restrictions on ownership, modification, and use.

> To use the car analogy, you need to have a driver's license in order to
> drive and in order to do that, you need to know /how/ to drive.

That doesn't follow. One doesn't need a driver's license to modify a car.

> If people who get medical devices are also trained in how the device
> works, this would have the potential to save lives, regardless of
> whether the user has the desire to modify it.

I have no objection to offering training to anyone (such training is merely 
educational and a money-making opportunity for the trainers) but no 
training should be required. We have long established this as acceptable 
with cars which are objectively far more dangerous than devices that are 
capable of injuring or killing the wearer.