---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Ashish SHUKLA" <ashish...@lostca.se> Date: 18 Oct 2011 07:27 Subject: [ilugd] [FSF] Stand up for your freedom to install free software To: <il...@lists.linux-delhi.org>
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA512 - --8<---------------cut here---------------start------------->8--- From: "Free Software Foundation" Subject: [FSF] Stand up for your freedom to install free software Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:31:56 -0400 (2 hours, 15 minutes, 29 seconds ago) 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 - --8<---------------cut here---------------end--------------->8--- Thanks - -- Ashish SHUKLA “I never commit to memory anything that can easily be looked up in a book.” ("Albert Einstein", "Sidelights on Relativity", 1983) -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v2.0.17 (FreeBSD) iQIcBAEBCgAGBQJOnNt2AAoJEMdGz6nnT6SwKVEP/A81anCTH+JEV1rfQAdW3ZP+ 8VVHzLNxxZuYjZO2eeAWaAEcZaBI1KKYWsVB0Kw+OJyx3SP8rTOmaPWjHK8J6nQE DCLpB7ckB36ag8/FP9Yxl5+fuCCFuITO9Go2Y44srnykzMX4bkJYDlzFBWCLX2DJ ZIckpm11VaFrx06Z8/DzCkK6QBWyQ/Jl0oxetvsbDpdtZ4PetszTy63KoENDK9Nk OZbirwicPlP/x1Ar7ibmjgvC1OfhaICjAtIAd+Wk4Wd/6VDqkARhWqHXsK16Rgjb IcOmG24S5VAmT9mG7PHkFO0HRNlVJkIvPMCs0YsWcJuq5I1BDFya3PQEsiG+EtQe QjDPmg5jidLFjMBj99zlxGweWG0nmhpN7QwKhzPCiXCd8fCm7vIux1OniN/StYXg 9jd5LXFDv9kptkhLiiwpcrkBiUx5Ko45MboDh8SMTeRiIfjCNfRsjTL46L2obRY5 5XxKWZRHGDaII15FFiTSjLIktg8wwaR63PxSj3JRKORsYE0QVLHFcZpb6q+otSzb WfuQ955RVXYRflXvZLtncUmXCd1EmngZZiqkErzXstWpMNsS21amzDuLnpdp9PED PRN0+tA1WzjthF+GBTAs4LRVem3KVo3UrG7EJpVwLvbm6r2HP8evfZzLAToy2dY4 RjFr8w5dZ54nhrarnRMQ =7AMM -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- _______________________________________________ Ilugd mailing list il...@lists.linux-delhi.org http://frodo.hserus.net/mailman/listinfo/ilugd _______________________________________________ ILUGC Mailing List: http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc