clarify "developer" vs. "non-developer" Freerunner (was: Re: what process for EASILY updating non-developer Freerunners)

[Michael Shiloh]

Ron, I'm sure you know the difference, but your email allows me to 
amplify a point that often seems misunderstood:

There is no hardware distinction between a "developer" and a 
"non-developer" Freerunner. All Freerunners can be updated the same way.

This distinction is important because many other companies do require 
that a person who wishes to develop for a consumer device must purchase 
a special developer systems that can be updated and costs much more.

It is a very important part of the Openmoko philosophy that there is no 
such distinction or extra charge. ANY OPENMOKO CUSTOMER CAN BECOME A 
DEVELOPER WITHOUT FURTHER COST OR QUALIFICATION, and any Openmoko 
customer can reprogram their device down to the lowest level as they wish.

Now as far as updating software is concerned, I certainly expect there 
will be easier ways in the future, especially as consumer software 
becomes available.

Michael

Ron K. Jeffries wrote:
> I am not a developer, but at some point I WILL own a Freerunner.
> 
> Is it too much to hope that we'll have access to something similar to how
> Ubuntu installations are upgraded and updated with fixes?
> 
> My guess is that sort of system is not in the DNA of the core
> OpenMoko team. That's not a dis, it just is what it is. And most
> very early adopters will be hacking and building form source.
> 
> But what about  an OpenMoko / Freerunner USER, who just wants
> to stay updated?
> 
> Will we have some package system a la  .deb or .rpm models?
> 
> For Freerunner to maximize potential say 6-12 months from now,
> we need a super slick reliable and easy process for non-developers
> to update and upgrade.
> 
> I have spoken, ;)
> -- 
> Ron K. Jeffries
> rjeffries at gmail.com <mailto:rjeffries at gmail.com>
> http://blog.eronj.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Openmoko community mailing list
> community at lists.openmoko.org
> http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community