Hello,

On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 3:54 AM, Bas Wijnen <wijnen@debian.org> wrote:
While I see the use of serial nnumbers for support, I don't see any
reason to reserve a special piece of software-readable hardware for
them.  The whole thing is open hardware anyway, user who want to change
the number can do so.  Why is a software-readable number better than an
eye-readable number (on a removable sticker)?  I don't think it should
make a difference for support.

 I'm personally not on one side of this issue or the other, but I'm going to put
on a "biz support" hat and be devil's advocate.

As far as sticker vs. software readable, if I have dozens or hundreds of the
devices, the automation aspect is huge. Even a bar-scannable sticker of some
sort has limits in terms of how one can automate it, and users will fat-finger,
mistype and forget digits.
If there is a hardware number available, then it doesn't matter which flash image
firmware etc is there, I have some way to peek into and identify the device.

And while it is true that open hardware means that people can change it, doesn't
mean that people will change it, or even have the knowledge to do so.

If open hardware is to be used in corporate areas, it has to have some of these considerations addressed. I wonder if privacy advocates change their onboard Ethernet address to avoid being "fingerprinted" through that unique ID.

It is completely normal (and reasonable) to void the warrenty by removing (or damaging) a
sticker.

Usually, such stickers are intended as anti-tamper devices. I've had stickers fall off some devices, or get warn out on others. I think this part actually argues for a hardware number. :)

Overall, I do think there is a balance between individuals that want their anonymity and legitamate uses of a unique ID. We are smart, it should be possible to come up with an easy way to do this without going to great expense.

(One idea - encode the serial number into the boot blocks of the device, and provide a set of "non ID'd" blocks for those that want them. Should be easy to set up, and also easy to modify, and doesn't require fancy different hardware)

Gerald