If a project claims to be open hardware they should publish their eCAD files (likely a set of KiCAD files).
This is what is required to make modifications, which is the very foundation of open source. Gerber files are generated from eCAD files just like binaries are generates from source code.
The Open Source Hardware Association would never certify a project that only published gerbers.
I consider it dishonest to advertise gerbers-only projects as #OpenHardware. In some ways it's worse than the proprietary hardware vendors calling themselves open source companies.
I want people to know what to look for and to be able separate the companies who are role playing as open hardware from the projects that are living it.
You don't have to choose open hardware, but you should know what you're getting.
This post has nothing to do with ColdCard other than that people might be shopping for new hardware right now.
This is what is required to make modifications, which is the very foundation of open source. Gerber files are generated from eCAD files just like binaries are generates from source code.
The Open Source Hardware Association would never certify a project that only published gerbers.
I consider it dishonest to advertise gerbers-only projects as #OpenHardware. In some ways it's worse than the proprietary hardware vendors calling themselves open source companies.
I want people to know what to look for and to be able separate the companies who are role playing as open hardware from the projects that are living it.
You don't have to choose open hardware, but you should know what you're getting.
This post has nothing to do with ColdCard other than that people might be shopping for new hardware right now.
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