Larry, Stefan, Thank you for explaining all that. I understand that the driver version number in kernel code does not correspond to the actual code version which may have (and probably has) been updated in time. This is an important clarification. It would be better if this metadata is up to date too, so people don't get confused and suggest updates as a result of confusion. As for whether I am happy with the driver which comes with the kernel - I don't know, I never tried it. When I purchased the TP-Link TL-WN722N-V3, I was hoping that I would get the visually similar https://ryf.fsf.org/products/TET-N150HGA (as my goal was to have a RYF device). Unfortunately, the later turned out to be V1, not the V3 which I purchased. Still, I checked what driver I could use with it and found the code we discussed here. I was happy I might have found a FOSS alternative but I learned there may be blobs ("tables") in FOSS code too. My options now (apart from looking for another RYF device) are: - use the "newer" driver with the extra burden of re-building it - use the driver which comes with the official kernel, trusting it is of higher quality, disregarding its unknown version number Question: how do I check whether I am happy with the later? What should I look for in order to compare with the first option?