In
https://d-i.debian.org/manual/en.amd64/apbs04.html#preseed-network
we have:

	# If you want to completely disable firmware lookup (i.e. not use firmware
	# files or packages that might be available on installation images):
	#d-i hw-detect/firmware-lookup string never

	# If non-free firmware is needed for the network or other hardware, you can
	# configure the installer to always try to load it, without prompting. Or
	# change to false to disable asking.
	#d-i hw-detect/load_firmware boolean true

The second part is confusing:
"true" is for automatic load of firmware, without prompting.
"false" is for not asking.
Huh? Both are for 'don't ask any question'?

While the second part is confusing, when you only look at that part alone,
it's even worth, when you read both paragraphs together.
Both questions are about loading or not loading firmware?
So one of this is superfluous?

Or is the second one only for prompting / not prompting, and loading is
always tried?

This might confuse users, maybe change it.



Holger

Hi Holger,

Sure, there might be some confusion around both options, but…

Holger Wansing <hwansing@mailbox.org> (2023-02-19):

The second part is existing code and that's an intense mess, so I haven't
touched it at all. See also #1029543, which has received almost no answers.
(My first instinct was to whack it altogether but supposedly it makes sense
to keep support for it…)

The installation guide is pretty clear about what the first option does. If
someone dives into preseed and cannot be bothered to have a look at the
official d-i doc, that's on them…

Maybe add something in the comments above the first option, clarifying that
it takes precedence over the second one?


Cheers,