Sorry for cross-posting ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Free Software Foundation <i...@fsf.org> Date: 18 October 2011 04:02 Subject: [FSF] Stand up for your freedom to install free software To: Manilal K M <libreg...@gmail.com>
Dear Supporters, - Please join us in signing the statement: *Stand up for your freedom to install free software*<http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/secure-boot-vs-restricted-boot/statement> The free software movement has come a long way over the past 25+ years. While we still face many challenges ahead for us to create a world in which it is normal and expected for computer users to have freedom, we have made steady progress. Right now, however, there is a potential threat that could put us back years. Microsoft has announced that if computer makers wish to distribute machines with the Windows 8 compatibility logo, they will have to implement a measure called "Secure Boot." When done correctly, "Secure Boot" is designed to protect against malware by preventing computers from loading unauthorized binary programs when booting. In practice, this means that computers implementing it won't boot unauthorized or modified operating systems. This could be a feature deserving of the name, as long as the *user* is able to authorize the programs she wants to use, so she can run free software written and modified by herself or people she trusts. However, we are concerned that Microsoft and hardware manufacturers will implement these boot restrictions in a way that will prevent users from booting anything other than unmodified Windows. In this case, a better name for the technology would be Restricted Boot, since such a requirement would be a severe restriction on computer users and not a security feature at all. We're looking at a world in which it could become impossible for the average user to install GNU/Linux on any new computer, so too much is at stake for us to wait and see if computer manufacturers will do the right thing. "Secure Boot" could all too easily become a euphemism for restriction and control by computer makers and Microsoft -- freedom and security necessitate users being in charge of their own computers. So please, join us in signing this statement against Restricted Boot, and consider encouraging your friends, family, and colleagues to do the same. If you are part of an organization or company that would like to prominently show their support, please contact us at campai...@fsf.org. For your convenience, here is a list of additional articles and resources related to this statement: - Public statement: http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/secure-boot-vs-restricted-boot/statement - Press release: http://www.fsf.org/news/secure-boot-vs-restricted-boot-in-windows-8 - Detailed explanation of the issue: http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/secure-boot-vs-restricted-boot Sincerely, John Sullivan Executive Director Free Software Foundation -- Follow us on identi.ca at http://identi.ca/fsf | Subscribe to our blogs via RSS at http://fsf.org/blogs/RSS Join us as an associate member at http://fsf.org/jf Sent from the Free Software Foundation, 51 Franklin Street Fifth Floor Boston, MA 02110-1335 United States You can unsubscribe to this mailing-list by visiting the link http://crm.fsf.org/index.php?q=civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe&reset=1&jid=125300&qid=671039&h=3b340d92b3edf6a9. *To never receive email from the Free Software Foundation, including Defective by Design, our monthly newsletter and more, click this link:* http://crm.fsf.org/index.php?q=civicrm/mailing/optout&reset=1&jid=125300&qid=671039&h=3b340d92b3edf6a9 . -- Manilal K M : മണിലാല് കെ എം. http://libregeek.blogspot.com -- "Freedom is the only law". "Freedom Unplugged" http://www.ilug-tvm.org You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ilug-tvm" group. To control your subscription visit http://groups.google.co.in/group/ilug-tvm/subscribe To post to this group, send email to ilug-tvm@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ilug-tvm-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For details visit the google group page: http://groups.google.com/group/ilug-tvm?hl=en
