This page allows you to decide whether or not to install proprietary firmware on this computer.
"Firmware" is a component of a hardware driver. This component is uploaded to the hardware itself, which allows the hardware to perform operations or control itself.
For example, network devices sometimes contain firmware that allows them to perform checksum offloading.
Proprietary firmware is firmware that is released by the hardware manufacturer without source code. Usually, this proprietary firmware is provided without warranty by the hardware manufacturer. Since it is closed source and fully proprietary, it cannot be audited for security or reliability issues.
This means that when you load proprietary firmware on to a computer, we can no longer provide any assurances to its security or reliability.
Most wireless networking cards, and virtually all 3D graphics cards, utilise proprietary firmware. You may be unable to connect to a wireless network, or use certain radio frequencies (such as the 5 GHz band), without proprietary firmware. You may also be unable to use the maximum resolution of your graphics card, or utilise the 3D acceleration capabilities of it (including OpenGL and Vulkan), without proprietary firmware.
Your system may be compromised by security issues in the firmware. Your system may also become unstable due to improper programming of the firmware.
Adélie Linux allows you the freedom to choose whether or not you wish to install proprietary firmware on your computer.
If you have an elevated threat profile, you should always choose No.
If you want to utilise hardware that requires proprietary firmware despite the potential risk, you may choose Yes.