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I'm not too worried, like all prohibited substances and devices (except maybe weapons of mass destruction) there will always be ways to get what you want if you

by SCHiM 11y ago

I'm not too worried, like all prohibited substances and devices (except maybe weapons of mass destruction) there will always be ways to get what you want if you want. Especially since from the headlines it appears that they're considering a software based approach.

nsajko 11y ago
Umm, no. Such laws legitimize prohibition (by definition) and represent and form public opinion and can thus be harmful even if they are loosely enforced.
- SCHiM 11y ago
  > Umm, no Exactly what are you disagreeing with? Going by your comment you seem to think that I said that a ban would have no effect at all. I did no such thing, and I would suggest that you read more carefully next time. So, umm, no I can't actually get access to a XTC in my country where it is prohibited? Of course I can. Even if/while such laws effect more than only a ban on the substance in question.
nitrogen 11y ago
This is a forum with a strong focus on startups -- startups will not want to have to use contraband radio equipment to develop their next IoT module.
- Sanddancer 11y ago
  And they won't. Access points will just go back to the slightly more expensive method of using a wifi chipset with an asic and/or preinstalled non-upgradable baseband, and life will go on. The ath9k family, which is what's recommended for things like libreboot-based systems show that these exist. If they're spinning their own circuitry, they're going to have to get fcc approval anyways, and will have to make sure that their access point isn't terribly designed and spewing RF all over the spectrum because they don't understand what happens when you overdrive transistors.
  - nitrogen 11y ago
    There are types of wireless communication other than wifi that are still unlicensed. Not having access to SDR makes it much more difficult to develop those. Also, locked down chips cannot be trusted in security sensitive settings.

by SCHiM 11y ago

nsajko 11y ago

Umm, no. Such laws legitimize prohibition (by definition) and represent and form public opinion and can thus be harmful even if they are loosely enforced.

SCHiM 11y ago
> Umm, no Exactly what are you disagreeing with? Going by your comment you seem to think that I said that a ban would have no effect at all. I did no such thing, and I would suggest that you read more carefully next time. So, umm, no I can't actually get access to a XTC in my country where it is prohibited? Of course I can. Even if/while such laws effect more than only a ban on the substance in question.

nitrogen 11y ago

This is a forum with a strong focus on startups -- startups will not want to have to use contraband radio equipment to develop their next IoT module.

Sanddancer 11y ago
And they won't. Access points will just go back to the slightly more expensive method of using a wifi chipset with an asic and/or preinstalled non-upgradable baseband, and life will go on. The ath9k family, which is what's recommended for things like libreboot-based systems show that these exist. If they're spinning their own circuitry, they're going to have to get fcc approval anyways, and will have to make sure that their access point isn't terribly designed and spewing RF all over the spectrum because they don't understand what happens when you overdrive transistors.
- nitrogen 11y ago
  There are types of wireless communication other than wifi that are still unlicensed. Not having access to SDR makes it much more difficult to develop those. Also, locked down chips cannot be trusted in security sensitive settings.