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Diffstat (limited to 'README.md')
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1 files changed, 78 insertions, 82 deletions
@@ -3,83 +3,69 @@ Free your BIOS today! GNU GPL style Find libreboot documentation at <https://libreboot.org/> -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. -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 [\#libreboot](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=libreboot) on Freenode -IRC. - -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. - -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 -initialization, and then jumps to a separate *payload* program. The payload -program can be anything, for example a Linux kernel, bootloader (such as -GNU GRUB), UEFI implementation (such as Tianocore) or BIOS implementation -(such as SeaBIOS). While not quite as complicated as building a GNU+Linux -distribution from scratch, it may aswell be as far as most non-technical users -are concerned. - -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 Libreboot, and who runs the project, can be -found on the [who page](https://libreboot.org/who.html) page. +The `libreboot` project provides +[libre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source) *boot +firmware* that initializes the hardware (e.g. memory controller, CPU, +peripherals) on specific Intel/AMD x86 and ARM targets, which +then starts a bootloader for your operating system. Linux/BSD are +well-supported. It replaces proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware. Help is available +via [\#libreboot IRC](https://web.libera.chat/#libreboot) +on [Libera](https://libera.chat/) IRC. 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. +Why should you use *libreboot*? +---------------------------- + +Libreboot gives you freedoms that you otherwise can't get with most other +boot firmware. It's extremely powerful and configurable for many use cases. + +You have rights. The right to privacy, freedom of thought, freedom of speech +and the right to read. In this context, Libreboot gives you these rights. +Your freedom matters. +[Right to repair](https://vid.puffyan.us/watch?v=Npd_xDuNi9k) matters. +Many people use proprietary (non-libre) +boot firmware, even if they use [a libre OS](https://www.openbsd.org/). +Proprietary firmware often contains backdoors (more info on the FAQ), and it +and can be buggy. The libreboot project was founded in in December 2013, +with the express purpose of making coreboot firmware accessible for +non-technical users. + +The `libreboot` project uses [coreboot](https://www.coreboot.org/) for [hardware +initialisation](https://doc.coreboot.org/getting_started/architecture.html). +Coreboot is notoriously difficult to install for most non-technical users; it +handles only basic initialization and jumps to a separate +[payload](https://doc.coreboot.org/payloads.html) program (e.g. +[GRUB](https://www.gnu.org/software/grub/), +[Tianocore](https://www.tianocore.org/)), which must also be configured. +*The libreboot software solves this problem*; it is a *coreboot distribution* with +an automated build system (named *lbmk*) that builds complete *ROM images*, for +more robust installation. Documentation is provided. + +How does Libreboot differ from coreboot? +======================================== + +In the same way that *Debian* is a GNU+Linux distribution, `libreboot` is +a *coreboot distribution*. If you want to build a ROM image from scratch, you +otherwise have to perform expert-level configuration of coreboot, GRUB and +whatever other software you need, to prepare the ROM image. With *libreboot*, +you can literally download from Git or a source archive, and run `make`, and it +will build entire ROM images. An automated build system, named `lbmk` +(Libreboot MaKe), builds these ROM images automatically, without any user input +or intervention required. Configuration has already been performed in advance. + +If you were to build regular coreboot, without using libreboot's automated +build system, it would require a lot more intervention and decent technical +knowledge to produce a working configuration. + +Regular binary releases of `libreboot` provide these +ROM images pre-compiled, and you can simply install them, with no special +knowledge or skill except the ability to follow installation instructions +and run commands BSD/Linux. Project goals -------------- +============= - *Support as much hardware as possible!* Libreboot aims to eventually have *maintainers* for every board supported by coreboot, at every @@ -93,8 +79,7 @@ Project goals 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. +Thirdly, the project attempts to provide excellent user support via IRC. Libreboot already comes with a payload (GRUB), flashrom and other needed parts. Everything is fully integrated, in a way where most of @@ -114,14 +99,25 @@ 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 Libreboot, based on specific coreboot revisions. -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. +How to help +=========== -Copy of the GNU Free Documentation License v1.3 here: -<https://www.gnu.org/licenses/fdl-1.3.en.html> +You can check bugs listed on +the [bug tracker](https://notabug.org/libreboot/lbmk/issues). -Info about Free Software Foundation: -<https://www.fsf.org/> +If you spot a bug and have a fix, the website has instructions for how to send +patches, and you can also report it. Also, this entire website is +written in Markdown and hosted in a [separate +repository](https://notabug.org/libreboot/lbwww) where you can send patches. + +Any and all development discussion and user support are all done on the IRC +channel. More information is on the contact page of libreboot.org. + +LICENSE FOR THIS README +======================= + +It's just a README file. This README file is released under the terms of the +Creative Commons Zero license, version 1.0 of the license, which you can +read here: + +<https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode.txt> |