2021-05-18 14:21:48 +02:00
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---
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title: Libreboot project
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...
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Libreboot is
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2021-09-01 07:56:49 +02:00
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[freedom-respecting](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html) *boot
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firmware* that initializes the hardware (e.g. memory controller, CPU,
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peripherals) on [specific Intel/AMD x86 computers](docs/hardware/) and starts
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a bootloader for your operating system. [GNU+Linux](docs/gnulinux/)
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and [BSD](docs/bsd/) are well-supported. It replaces proprietary BIOS/UEFI
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firmware. Help is available
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via [\#libreboot](https://web.libera.chat/#libreboot)
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on [Libera](https://libera.chat/) IRC.
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2021-08-30 09:14:05 +02:00
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2021-09-01 11:45:05 +02:00
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Libreboot uses [coreboot](https://www.coreboot.org/) for [hardware
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initialization](https://doc.coreboot.org/getting_started/architecture.html).
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Coreboot is difficult to configure for most non-technical users; it handles
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only basic initialization and jumps to a separate
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[payload](https://doc.coreboot.org/payloads.html) program (e.g.
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[GRUB](https://www.gnu.org/software/grub/),
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[Tianocore](https://www.tianocore.org/)), which must also be configured.
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*Libreboot solves this problem*; it is a *coreboot distribution* with
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2021-09-01 12:07:13 +02:00
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an [automated build system](docs/build/) that builds complete *ROM images*, for
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easy installation. User-friendly documentation is provided.
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2021-08-30 09:14:05 +02:00
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Libreboot has advanced features like
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[encrypted /boot/](docs/gnulinux/encrypted_debian.md) and [GPG support](docs/gnulinux/grub_hardening.html).
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2021-09-01 12:01:38 +02:00
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Binary blobs are excluded, making Libreboot *100% free
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software*, [endorsed by the Free Software
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Foundation](https://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/replace-your-proprietary-bios-with-libreboot).
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It has
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[helped](https://www.gnu.org/education/how-i-fought-to-graduate-without-using-non-free-software.html)
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many people, [including the FSF, GNU
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2021-08-30 09:14:05 +02:00
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project](https://www.fsf.org/bulletin/2017/fall/six-months-of-equipment-upgrades-at-the-fsf)
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2021-09-01 12:01:38 +02:00
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and [even Richard Stallman](https://stallman.org/stallman-computing.html).
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Libreboot can be called Open Source,
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2021-09-01 11:45:05 +02:00
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[but you should call it Free Software](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.en.html).
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