> 1) Regulatory issues
> >
> > Hardware vendors need to prevent end-users from modifying the firmware
> > so that the hardware can not be driven outside legal ranges.
> >
> > 2) Intellectual "Property" issues
> >
> > Hardware vendors don't want other hardware vendors to know how they run
> > their hardware so that their design can't be copied or stolen.
> >
> > 3) Inability to build
> >
> > Firmware is usually code for some PLD or ASIC, which needs specialized
> > (and EXPENSIVE) compilers to build. Most people are unlikely to be able
> > to turn the source into the firmware.


Now this is making a little more sence - I gues the only solution is to provide it seperatly for others to install at they're own disgresstion.

Come to think of it now I have an idea - if there is apt for package management - could there be the same for firmware and drivers (they're software too)?