Re: [Trisquel-users] Trisquel Trusted Computing
You did not lose me. Having done much research on DRM and Trusted Computing, I am quite aware my custom-build cannot avoid all hardware-based DRM. What a custom-build can do is avoid majority of it, and through erasing all software-based DRM that one can, most of the unavoidable hardware-based DRM can be disabled, or at least mitigated. What DRM survives this process I can live with...at least until some Megamind cracker discovers a fix. You do what you can with what you have to work with...sometimes there is no perfect solution (yet). I focus on what I can do. For example, I may not be able to eliminate DRM code in the XP Pro 'kernel', but I have found out how to eliminate most of the rest, and that is a lot of DRM crud!
Re: [Trisquel-users] Trisquel Trusted Computing
I think I have maybe found a way to use Trisquel as my OS, yet avoid the ordeal of teaching myself how to recompile/reconfigure the kernel, but being a newbie, I would like feedback from experienced users before I pursue a possible dead-end. Google searches indicate that INTEL_TXT.TXT, CONFIG_INTEL_TXT, etc., did not port into Linux until kernel version 2.6.32, so I am thinking that if I use Trisquel 3.5 or 3.0.1, the Intel code will not be present (Distrowatch lists Trisquel 3.5 as having kernel version 2.6.31, and Trisquel 3.0.1 using kernel 2.6.28). What do you all think of this? Advice welcomed!
Re: [Trisquel-users] Trisquel Trusted Computing
Thanks for your comment. In fact, I am concerned with both, which is one reason I am doing custom-build. Unfortunately, it appears to me that there is no way to completely avoid hardware DRM, now that AMD has become a TCG groupie, so erasing any software based crud is even more essential to deprive hardware its support.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Trisquel Trusted Computing
I think I lost you. As mentioned earlier you can't custom build a system entirely free of these issues. You can't buy an older system free of these issues. So what exactly are you going to custom build? Even the older systems have pieces like this. You are going to run into issues with: 1. Wireless Cards (digital restrictions) 2. Graphics chipsets (non-free software dependencies) 3. Non-free BIOS 4. Non-free microcode (you can't just buy a system without this, it's in all x86 systems) 5. Trusted Computing 6. Remote management features (related to the BIOS) 7. Some other stuff I can't remember that we are working on... fixing... or trying to. 8. Some other stuff I can't remember that we are working on... fixing... or trying to.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Trisquel Trusted Computing
Unless I'm mistaken the Intel DRM stuff is avoidable. Don't confuse graphics DRM with digital restrictions management. If we are talking about the Trusted Computing piece you just need to verify the CPU doesn't contain it. Even with the latest generation Intel CPU line up there are models without Trusted Computing. There is also the TPM component in the BIOS. We are trying to ship without this in our laptops. Still waiting to hear back from a third party working with us on the issue.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Trisquel Trusted Computing
Yea- that is it.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Trisquel Trusted Computing
Is an Intel CPU with the absolutely appaling TXT technology on its own impotent? Does it require support from the chipset/motherboard to actually function? Are there many motherboards/chipsets that allow you to turn off the functionality of the TXT hardware?
Re: [Trisquel-users] Trisquel Trusted Computing
At least some models with a TPM can disable it in the BIOS settings.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Trisquel Trusted Computing
I don't consider TXT to really be a deciding factor. I think having a system that works with free software is the number one priority. TXT is avoidable and so we should avoid it. However the handful of users who are avoiding the technology are not relevant to Intel. It's just too small a customer base. The thing is there isn't much we can do individually right now to discourage this kind of technology. Even if we all individually purchased systems without TXT it wouldn't have an impact. The best way to discourage this is by creating new companies that apply free software philosophy. If these companies get large enough they will have an influence on the market. Right now there aren't a whole lot of companies though... I can think of maybe two and I run one. The other is www.eztakes.com.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Trisquel Trusted Computing
You are looking at it from the wrong angle I think. While the libre-kernel should really have this disabled in the software too the hardware is what you should be concerned about. At least at the moment you can avoid the Intel CPUs with support for Trusted Computing. We stopped shipping laptops with it months(?) ago. You have to check the processor on the Intel web site to find out if it has this featured. I forget what it is called exactly although you can spot it in the specs.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Trisquel Trusted Computing
That is correct. However, it is not half as complicated as people think, especially if doing such a trivial change. Here's a guide to do just that I wrote while I was using Debian. http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=16t=36525 I suggest you try it, even if just for fun and learning. Y means integrated into the kernel and always active M means built as module and activated if required N means not included in any form Those configs mentioned seem to be under device drivers character devices. You might want to take a look at the other configs as well. Some of them are fairly easy to select while other remain esoteric for the rest of our combined lives! Having said that I'm not sure if having those configs enabled does have any ill effects. Trusted computing does have very nasty potential uses (DRM etc) but I doubt Trisquel has any software that would use it for such purposes.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Trisquel Trusted Computing
So I assume that to totally erase the configuration items you listed requires me to learn how to rebuild or reconfigure the kernal at the least? Looks to be quite a daunting task for a newbie.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Trisquel Trusted Computing
I'm an XP Pro user looking to switch to Linux. I have asked on other forums if there is any distro kernel version that is 100% free of this 'Trusted Computing' junk, and was recommended Trisquel. So my first question here is can anyone confirm that Trisquel contains absolutely no Trusted Computing kernel configuration items, modules, drivers, etc.?
