Continue Libreboot under the GNU project

This commit is based on the 20220710 tag from Libreboot.

To our knowledge, 20220710 is the last really libre Libreboot
release as the next releases from libreboot.org has nonfree
software (like nonfree microcode updates).

Because of that we've stepped forward to stand up for freedom,
and we started maintaining our own version of Libreboot that
didn't include nonfree software.

To make sure that our version remains free and continue to be
maintained over time, we chose to now do this as part of the
GNU project.

Signed-off-by: Denis 'GNUtoo' Carikli <GNUtoo@cyberdimension.org>
GNUtoo: commit message
Acked-by: Adrien 'neox' Bourmault <neox@gnu.org>
This commit is contained in:
Adrien Bourmault 2023-06-20 21:04:13 +02:00
parent fbbb5bc616
commit bf1799344f
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2 changed files with 44 additions and 103 deletions

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README.md
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Free your BIOS today! GNU GPL style GNU Boot
=================================== ========
Find libreboot documentation at <https://libreboot.org/> GNU Boot is a GNU project and a
Libreboot is
[freedom-respecting](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html) [freedom-respecting](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html)
*boot firmware* that initializes the hardware (e.g. *boot firmware* that initializes the hardware (e.g.
memory controller, CPU, peripherals) in your computer so that software can run. memory controller, CPU, peripherals) in your computer so that software can run.
Libreboot then starts a bootloader to load your operating system. It replaces the GNU Boot then starts a bootloader to load your operating system. It replaces the
proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware typically found on a computer. Libreboot is proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware typically found on a computer. GNU Boot is
compatible with specific computer models that use the Intel/AMD x86 compatible with specific computer models that use the Intel/AMD x86
architecture. Libreboot works well with GNU+Linux and BSD architecture. GNU Boot works well with GNU+Linux and BSD
operating systems. User support is available operating systems.
at [\#libreboot](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=libreboot) on Freenode
IRC.
Libreboot is a *Free Software* project, but can be considered Open Source. GNU Boot uses [coreboot](https://www.coreboot.org/) for hardware initialization.
[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.
Libreboot uses [coreboot](https://www.coreboot.org/) for hardware initialization.
However, *coreboot* is notoriously difficult to compile and install for most However, *coreboot* is notoriously difficult to compile and install for most
non-technical users. There are many complicated configuration steps required, non-technical users. There are many complicated configuration steps required,
and coreboot by itself is useless; coreboot only handles basic hardware and coreboot by itself is useless; coreboot only handles basic hardware
@ -31,113 +22,63 @@ GNU GRUB), UEFI implementation (such as Tianocore) or BIOS implementation
distribution from scratch, it may aswell be as far as most non-technical users distribution from scratch, it may aswell be as far as most non-technical users
are concerned. are concerned.
Libreboot solves this problem in a novel way: GNU Boot solves this problem :
Libreboot is a *coreboot distribution* much like Debian is a *GNU+Linux GNU Boot is a *coreboot distribution* much like Debian is a *GNU+Linux
distribution*. Libreboot provides an *automated build system* that downloads, distribution*. GNU Boot provides an *automated build system* that downloads,
patches (where necessary) and compiles coreboot, GNU GRUB, various payloads and patches (where necessary) and compiles coreboot, GNU GRUB, various payloads and
all other software components needed to build a complete, working *ROM image* 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 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 GNU+Linux distribution (e.g. Debian) provides an ISO image that you can use to
replace your current operating system (e.g. Windows). replace your current operating system (e.g. Windows).
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 Libreboot?
==================
[Free software](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html) is important for
the same reason that education is important.
All children and adults alike should be entitled to a good education.
Knowledge begs to be free! In the context of computing, this means that the
source code should be fully available to study, and use in whatever way you
see fit. In the context of computer hardware, this means that
[Right to Repair](https://yewtu.be/watch?v=Npd_xDuNi9k)
should be universal, with full access to documents such as the schematics and
boardview files.
**[The four freedoms are paramount!](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html)**
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*. 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,
Libreboot is a free software project, where anyone can contribute or inspect
its code.
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!
Libreboot gives *you* control over *your* computing.
Project goals
-------------
- *Recommend and distribute only free software*. Coreboot
distributes certain pieces of proprietary software which is needed
on some systems. Examples can include things like CPU microcode
updates, memory initialization blobs and so on. The coreboot project
sometimes recommends adding more blobs which it does not distribute,
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!* Libreboot supports less
hardware than coreboot, because most systems from coreboot still
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
to install, due to an overall lack of user-focused documentation
and support. Most people will simply give up before attempting to
install coreboot.
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.
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 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.
Not a coreboot fork! Not a coreboot fork!
-------------------- --------------------
Libreboot is not a fork of coreboot. Every so often, the project GNU Boot is not a fork of coreboot. Every so often, the project
re-bases on the latest version of coreboot, with the number of custom re-bases on the latest version of coreboot, with the number of custom
patches in use minimized. Tested, *stable* (static) releases are then provided patches in use minimized. Tested, *stable* (static) releases are then provided
in Libreboot, based on specific coreboot revisions. in GNU Boot, based on specific coreboot revisions.
Coreboot is not entirely free software. It has binary blobs in it for some Coreboot is not entirely free software. It has binary blobs in it for some
platforms. What Libreboot does is download several revisions of coreboot, for platforms. What GNU Boot does is download several revisions of coreboot, for
different boards, and *de-blob* those coreboot revisions. This is done using different boards, and *de-blob* those coreboot revisions. This is done using
the *linux-libre* deblob scripts, to find binary blobs in coreboot. the *linux-libre* deblob scripts, to find binary blobs in coreboot.
All new coreboot development should be done in coreboot (upstream), not All new coreboot development should be done in coreboot (upstream), not
libreboot! Libreboot is about deblobbing and packaging coreboot in a GNU Boot ! GNU Boot is about deblobbing and packaging coreboot in a
user-friendly way, where most work is already done for the user. user-friendly way, where most work is already done for the user.
For example, if you wanted to add a new board to libreboot, you should For example, if you wanted to add a new board to GNU Boot, you should
add it to coreboot first. Libreboot will automatically receive your code add it to coreboot first. GNU Boot will automatically receive your code
at a later date, when it updates itself. at a later date, when it updates itself.
The deblobbed coreboot tree used in libreboot is referred to as The deblobbed coreboot tree used in GNU Boot is referred to as
*coreboot-libre*, to distinguish it as a component of *libreboot*. *coreboot-libre*, to distinguish it as a component of *GNU Boot*.
How this project came to exist
------------------------------
We believe computer users deserve to control all the software they run. This
belief is the key principle of the Free Software Movement, and was the motive
for developing the GNU operating system and starting the Free Software
Foundation. We believe computer user freedom is a crucial human rights.
Unfortunately, such a muddle happened last year with a boot program that was
free software and was called Libreboot: the development team added nonfree code
to it, but continued to refer to it misleadingly as “Libreboot”.
Libreboot was first released in 2013. It has been widely recommended in the free
software community for the last nine years. In November 2022, “Libreboot” began
to include non-libre code. We have made repeated efforts to continue
collaboration with those developers to help their version of Libreboot remain
libre, but that was not successful.
Now weve stepped forward to stand up for freedom, ours and that of the wider
community, by maintaining our own version a genuinely libre boot
distribution: GNU Boot.
LICENSE FOR THIS README: LICENSE FOR THIS README:
GNU Free Documentation License 1.3 as published by the Free Software Foundation, GNU Free Documentation License 1.3 as published by the Free Software Foundation,

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libreboot gnuboot