Why doesn't Ubuntu use the Linux-libre kernel?

[yeehi]

Why does Ubuntu use the Linux kernel instead of the Linux-libre (http://www.fsfla.org/svnwiki/selibre/linux-libre/) kernel?

Aren't Ubuntu members agitating for Ubuntu to switch to Linux-libre? Gentoo uses it.

[zombifier25]

Because Ubuntu wants to work with all hardwares out there, and in order to do so, it must use some binary blobs in the kernel. Ubuntu is not a hacker's plaything, it's a product backed by a commercial company.

If your philosophy does not allow you to use proprietary softwares, go for a fully free distro, such as Trisquel.

[Elfy]

Thread moved to The Community Cafe.

[3rdalbum]

Ubuntu has always tried to walk the thin line between practicality and freedom. Their philosophy seems to be "It's better to enable people to use Linux, than to prevent them from using Linux".

Using Linux-Libre by default would cause some people's computers not to boot, or some of their hardware not to work.

Ubuntu used to have a "don't load any restricted modules or firmware blobs" option available at the live CD bootloader screen, but there wasn't really much interest in it, so they stopped supporting it.

For those concerned, there are GNU versions of Ubuntu.