[Trisquel-users] Re : Librebox (with Coreboot) - Hello Again
This is why we wouldn't make the same mistake, of releasing a proprietary BIOS, again. Are you aware that coreboot integrates the so-called "Firmware Support Package"? The Libreboot FAQ says that "the proprietary FSP blob cannot be trusted at all": https://libreboot.org/faq.html#fsp Coreboot distributes proprietary microcode too: https://libreboot.org/faq.html#microcode And, then, there is the Management Engine... You basically cannot get both performance and freedom with Intel. In my humble opinion, it would be better to be honest about the compromises made in terms of freedom to get performances.
[Trisquel-users] Re : Librebox (with Coreboot) - Hello Again
I am not claiming that every blob in coreboot is malicious. As usual with proprietary software: maybe it is, maybe it is not, and you are not allowed to know. That does not inspire confidence...
[Trisquel-users] Re : Librebox (with Coreboot) - Hello Again
"coreboot is not necessary because libreboot exists" Libreboot uses coreboot code. Without "blob" indeed but it wouldn't exist at all without the coreboot effort.
[Trisquel-users] Re : Librebox (with Coreboot) - Hello Again
There are applications where performances are essential. I do use my 16 GB of RAM to run some of my research prototypes. In that regard, Libretrend is appealing to me even if it is worse that Libreboot computers from a freedom perspective. I only suggested Libretrend to be more honest, acknowledging here and on their website that Coreboot is not 100% free software. If Libretrend can fight against that problem (trying to convince manufacturers or dedicating part of the benefits to pay a developer to reverse-engineer), that would be even better...
[Trisquel-users] Re : Librebox (with Coreboot) - Hello Again
Alright, then I understand better your point of view. ;)
Re: [Trisquel-users] Re : Librebox (with Coreboot) - Hello Again
> "coreboot is not necessary because libreboot exists" > > Libreboot uses coreboot code. Without "blob" indeed but it wouldn't exist at > all without the coreboot effort. This is true, but I was referring not to coreboot's development but to its use. To be more clear I could have said that the freedom compromise of using coreboot is unnecessary because libreboot exists. It's no different than with kernel blobs. Linux-libre would not exist without Linux, but it is unnecessary to accept the freedom compromise of using Linux because Linux-libre exists. The upstream/downstream relationship of these projects is not a reason to choose proprietary software over free software when given the option. signature.asc Description: PGP signature
Re: [Trisquel-users] Re : Librebox (with Coreboot) - Hello Again
> There are applications where performances are essential. For sure, which is what I meant by "in general." However, I talk to many ordinary desktop users who base their decisions not on the requirements of specific applications but on "old=bad, new=good" and purchase laptops with 16 GB that they then use for basic web browsing and document editing. I think this attitude might be a result of Wirth's Law, as newer versions of Windows and macOS are quite resource intensive. I recently put Trisquel on a friend's Macbook. Running macOS, he was sitting at using around 6 of his 8 GB and was constantly running out of disk space. Since using Trisquel, he rarely uses more than 2 GB and has plenty of disk space. > I only suggested Libretrend to be more honest, acknowledging > here and on their website that Coreboot is not 100% free software. Technoethical is a good model for how to distribute software/hardware with freedom issues in a transparent and responsible way. For example, this page[1] states the freedom issues with the phone very visibly and leaves the customer to decide whether or not they are acceptable. It would be difficult for someone to accidentally buy the phone without realizing that it has a non-free modem and bootloader. > If > Libretrend can fight against that problem (trying to convince manufacturers > or dedicating part of the benefits to pay a developer to reverse-engineer), > that would be even better... ThinkPenguin sells laptops with a proprietary BIOS (alongside other more freedom-respecting products), but they put some of that money toward advancing the cause of free software. I believe that they sponsor EOMA68. Meeting the needs of users who have to compromise on freedom for now while contributing toward a long-term solution is a great approach. [1] https://tehnoetic.com/tet-n2 signature.asc Description: PGP signature
Re: [Trisquel-users] Re : Librebox (with Coreboot) - Hello Again
I always wanted to build my own desktop PC with Libreboot, and thanks to this product NOT being with Libreboot, I now have an excuse to continue building! :D I need not be tempted by fancy things!
