From 208a793107001f1d7e4273976e6c53012a269a44 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Leah Rowe Date: Tue, 18 May 2021 14:00:18 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] update README --- .gitignore | 1 - README => README.md | 91 ++++++++++++++++++++++++--------------------- projectname | 2 +- 3 files changed, 49 insertions(+), 45 deletions(-) rename README => README.md (66%) diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore index c8309ea..6bb0a55 100644 --- a/.gitignore +++ b/.gitignore @@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ /grub/ /memtest86plus/ /seabios/ -/mrc/ /bin/ /release/ /descriptors/ diff --git a/README b/README.md similarity index 66% rename from README rename to README.md index 97cc6b4..3b7dd1f 100644 --- a/README +++ b/README.md @@ -1,32 +1,26 @@ - -Information about osboot can be found at -This is the *libre* version of osboot, so it only has support for hardware that -can boot without any binary blobs in the ROM image. - -This branch of osboot is basically pointless. It was created to then be forked -and adapted for a new Libreboot release. - Free your BIOS today! GNU GPL style =================================== -osboot is +Find libreboot documentation at + +Libreboot is [freedom-respecting](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html) *boot firmware* that initializes the hardware (e.g. memory controller, CPU, peripherals) in your computer so that software can run. -osboot then starts a bootloader to load your operating system. It replaces the -proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware typically found on a computer. osboot is -compatible with [specific computer models that use the Intel/AMD x86 -architecture](docs/hardware/). osboot works well with GNU+Linux and BSD +Libreboot then starts a bootloader to load your operating system. It replaces the +proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware typically found on a computer. Libreboot is +compatible with specific computer models that use the Intel/AMD x86 +architecture. Libreboot works well with GNU+Linux and BSD operating systems. User support is available -at [\#osboot](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=osboot) on Freenode +at [\#libreboot](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=libreboot) on Freenode IRC. -osboot is a *Free Software* project, but can be considered Open Source. +Libreboot is a *Free Software* project, but can be considered Open Source. [The GNU website](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.en.html) teaches why you should call it Free Software instead; alternatively, you may call it libre software. -osboot uses [coreboot](https://www.coreboot.org/) for hardware initialization. +Libreboot uses [coreboot](https://www.coreboot.org/) for hardware initialization. However, *coreboot* is notoriously difficult to compile and install for most non-technical users. There are many complicated configuration steps required, and coreboot by itself is useless; coreboot only handles basic hardware @@ -37,19 +31,19 @@ GNU GRUB), UEFI implementation (such as Tianocore) or BIOS implementation distribution from scratch, it may aswell be as far as most non-technical users are concerned. -osboot solves this problem in a novel way: -osboot is a *coreboot distribution* much like Debian is a *GNU+Linux -distribution*. osboot provides an *automated build system* that downloads, +Libreboot solves this problem in a novel way: +Libreboot is a *coreboot distribution* much like Debian is a *GNU+Linux +distribution*. Libreboot provides an *automated build system* that downloads, patches (where necessary) and compiles coreboot, GNU GRUB, various payloads and all other software components needed to build a complete, working *ROM image* that you can install to replace your current BIOS/UEFI firmware, much like a GNU+Linux distribution (e.g. Debian) provides an ISO image that you can use to replace your current operating system (e.g. Windows). -Information about who works on osboot, and who runs the project, can be -found on the [who.md](who.md) page. +Information about who works on Libreboot, and who runs the project, can be +found on the [who page](https://libreboot.org/who.html) page. -Why use osboot? +Why use Libreboot? ================== [Free software](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html) is important for @@ -68,20 +62,21 @@ You have rights. The right to privacy, freedom of thought, freedom of speech and the right to read. In the context of computing, that means anyone can use [free software](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html). Simply speaking, free software is software that is under the direct sovereignty of the -user and, more importantly, the collective that is the *community*. osboot +user and, more importantly, the collective that is the *community*. Libreboot is dedicated to the Free Software community, with the aim of making free software at a *low level* more accessible to non-technical people. Many people use [proprietary](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/proprietary.html) boot firmware, even if they use GNU+Linux. Non-free boot firmware often -contains backdoors, can be slow and have severe bugs. Development and support -can be abandoned at any time. By contrast, osboot is a free software project, -where anyone can contribute or inspect its code. +contains backdoors, can be slow and have severe +bugs. Development and support can be abandoned at any time. By contrast, +Libreboot is a free software project, where anyone can contribute or inspect +its code. -osboot is faster, more secure and more reliable than most non-free -firmware. osboot provides many advanced features, like encrypted +Libreboot is faster, more secure and more reliable than most non-free +firmware. Libreboot provides many advanced features, like encrypted /boot/, GPG signature checking before booting a Linux kernel and more! -osboot gives *you* control over *your* computing. +Libreboot gives *you* control over *your* computing. Project goals ------------- @@ -94,9 +89,9 @@ Project goals such as the Video BIOS or Intel's *Management Engine*. However, a lot of dedicated and talented individuals in coreboot work hard to replace these blobs whenever possible. -- *Support as much hardware as possible!* osboot supports less +- *Support as much hardware as possible!* Libreboot supports less hardware than coreboot, because most systems from coreboot still - require certain proprietary software to work properly. osboot is + require certain proprietary software to work properly. Libreboot is an attempt to support as much hardware as possible, without any proprietary software. - *Make coreboot easy to use*. Coreboot is notoriously difficult @@ -104,18 +99,18 @@ Project goals and support. Most people will simply give up before attempting to install coreboot. -osboot attempts to bridge this divide by providing a build system +Libreboot attempts to bridge this divide by providing a build system automating much of the coreboot image creation and customization. Secondly, the project produces documentation aimed at non-technical users. Thirdly, the project attempts to provide excellent user support via mailing lists and IRC. -osboot already comes with a payload (GRUB), flashrom and other +Libreboot already comes with a payload (GRUB), flashrom and other needed parts. Everything is fully integrated, in a way where most of the complicated steps that are otherwise required, are instead done for the user in advance. -You can download ROM images for your osboot system and install +You can download ROM images for your libreboot system and install them without having to build anything from source. If, however, you are interested in building your own image, the build system makes it relatively easy to do so. @@ -123,34 +118,44 @@ easy to do so. Not a coreboot fork! -------------------- -osboot is not a fork of coreboot. Every so often, the project +Libreboot is not a fork of coreboot. Every so often, the project re-bases on the latest version of coreboot, with the number of custom patches in use minimized. Tested, *stable* (static) releases are then provided -in osboot, based on specific coreboot revisions. +in Libreboot, based on specific coreboot revisions. Coreboot is not entirely free software. It has binary blobs in it for some -platforms. What osboot does is download several revisions of coreboot, for +platforms. What Libreboot does is download several revisions of coreboot, for different boards, and *de-blob* those coreboot revisions. This is done using the *linux-libre* deblob scripts, to find binary blobs in coreboot. All new coreboot development should be done in coreboot (upstream), not -osboot! osboot is about deblobbing and packaging coreboot in a +libreboot! Libreboot is about deblobbing and packaging coreboot in a user-friendly way, where most work is already done for the user. -For example, if you wanted to add a new board to osboot, you should -add it to coreboot first. osboot will automatically receive your code +For example, if you wanted to add a new board to libreboot, you should +add it to coreboot first. Libreboot will automatically receive your code at a later date, when it updates itself. -The deblobbed coreboot tree used in osboot is referred to as -*coreboot-libre*, to distinguish it as a component of *osboot*. +The deblobbed coreboot tree used in libreboot is referred to as +*coreboot-libre*, to distinguish it as a component of *libreboot*. A coreboot *fork* is planned for the future. Nowadays, coreboot drops support for boards that are "unmaintained", which in some cases just means that nobody submitted a new status update (to the *board-status* repository), so nowadays -osboot must maintain multiple versions of coreboot. This is unsustainable, +Libreboot must maintain multiple versions of coreboot. This is unsustainable, so a fork is planned, re-adding all of the deleted boards, backporting newer coreboot features and, possibly, having support for those boards re-merged upstream, where coreboot and the fork will share code back and forth. As of 27 April 2021, work on this fork has not yet begun. +LICENSE FOR THIS README: +GNU Free Documentation License 1.3 as published by the Free Software Foundation, +with no invariant sections, no front cover texts and no back cover texts. If +you wish it, you may use a later version of the GNU Free Documentation License +as published by the Free Software Foundation. +Copy of the GNU Free Documentation License v1.3 here: + + +Info about Free Software Foundation: + diff --git a/projectname b/projectname index 32a7c67..aa4ff17 100644 --- a/projectname +++ b/projectname @@ -1 +1 @@ -osboot-libre +libreboot