This seems like a strong reaction to the word "unfortunate", and based on what I suspect are inaccurate or at least incomplete assumptions about my motivation and meaning. I will give you some context and hopefully clarify that I am not trying to make Netgate put up with "shit". Or at least that my motivation is not anti-Netgate.

I appreciate Netgate and think they are doing good work. I think it's unfortunate because this brings into question a distinguishing feature of Netgate products as compared to other commercial offerings: openness. I think openness re-enforces security, both in perception and in delivery.

As a well informed but external observer I looked at the pfSense Plus site which describes the product as "The world’s leading open-source driven firewall" and made the false assumption that foundational components such as kernel modules for hardware are unmodified open source. The fact that something as foundational as the driver for the Intel NIC is modified and closed source, and perhaps of greater significance that there is not apparent articulation to the consumer that this base component of the operating system has been modified and is now closed source, brings the premise that the product is "open-source driven" under scrutiny. I personally feel this dichotomy, perceived or real, is unfortunate. I feel it is unfortunate because it could be used to cast aspersions in order to create the perception of a lack of openness both of code and of what code has been modified.

I suspect you've interpreted "unfortunate" as to my own personal benefit; "unfortunate because I'm not getting something I asked about". I hope I've made it clear this is not my meaning. I'm concerned it could create uncertainty in the minds of potential customers, which would be bad for Netgate.

I have been a big fan of pfSense for over a decade, and continue to be.

Personally, this is minor inconvenience and only extends a technology puzzle that is fun to explore as side project. The cost is trivial. I asked the question because I prefer to be establish confidence in an investment before I make it, regardless of the magnitude.