I'm the owner of Minifree Ltd: https://minifree.org/
Minifree sells Libreboot computers to fund development of Libreboot; I'm Libreboot's founder and lead developer.
#libreboot is a free software project, replacing the proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware on supported computers. It offers many security and performance benefits compared to most proprietary firmware, and it's highly configurable.
Your choice of Debian Linux, other distro or BSD.
tl;dr I sell Libreboot, and Libreboot accessories.
@libreleah goodness! I didn't even know that BIOS was being tampered with! Will keep you in mind for new purchases - hope you guys ship to india.
When I have time, I'll look into the porting guide. I have a Lenovo G5 desktop but right now, I can't afford to brick it.
Awesome stuff, thanks for sharing!
I don't (other than a tiny amount of command line stuff on one box for work, infrequently) but I boosted that and bookmarked it as a note to myself for when I next think about getting a machine as the urge to Linux grows (that'll be the Fediverse cult doing its job, of course). I don't think there's a huge learning curve with modern Linux distros as they are trying to appeal to the masses more and existing familiarity.
@neonbubble @theaardvark I would say that distros run the gamut; some do have significant learning curves while others try to be approachable. But on average, yes, it's gotten much easier than it was in, say, the early 2000s. In general I see 3 types of difficulties with using Linux that can be a challenge:
1) Your computer's hardware requires drivers in order to be used by its software. Some manufacturers don't produce drivers for Linux and may not make enough information available for other people to easily write drivers for that hardware either. That can make it difficult or impossible to make certain hardware work under Linux, or some of the features may not work. This can be avoided by choosing hardware that is known to work well in Linux (often just going with specific manufacturers is enough), but it can sometimes be a problem if you just try to run Linux on, say, a random laptop you already have. It's easy enough to test with a live USB, though.
2) Most proprietary software doesn't offer a Linux version. Often there is an open source equivalent on Linux, but sometimes it may not offer the features you need. Whether this is a significant problem is really strongly dependent on what software you need and how flexible you can be about using alternatives.
3) Certain online services aren't really usable from Linux. Usually this is because either they need a proprietary client that isn't available on Linux or they specifically check the OS you're running on. For example, in a few cases I've run into streaming services that don't want to operate on a browser running on Linux. However, these are a minority; most online services work fine.
@theaardvark @neonbubble
Using a Linux machine for everyday tasks is as easy (if not easier) than using Windows.
The issues arise when you are installing Linux on a non-standard machine, or you are trying to do anything more than everyday tasks.
I'm certainly not tech minded but I've used Linux for years and only hit problems during installation (UEFI which seems to sorted, and Bluetooth drivers which again seems to be a non-issue now).
By choosing a modern, well supported version ('distro') such as Mint or Ubuntu you should have very few issues - even less if you buy a box with Linux preinstalled (which is what I'm intending to do next time).
You can try Linux by running it on most Windows machines by using it on a USB stick.
Linux is no where near as scary as some people want you to believe!
@eruwero @theaardvark @neonbubble
I'd suggest using any program that isn't able to be installed & updated through a package manager. And / or trying to use an installed program in a way the developer didn't intend.
Initially I was thinking in quite narrow terms of 'office' programs, browsers, email and file storage - but maybe that's *too* restrictive a definition.
@MikeFromLFE @theaardvark @neonbubble it's funny, those would be things I would consider easier on a GNU/Linux system than anywhere else, but we might be thinking of different things.
Anyway, there are also things like Flatpak that make it easy to install programs that might not be installable through the package manager, and it's independent of the distro.
@MikeFromLFE @theaardvark @neonbubble
Easier & faster to install than Windows. Was way more difficult in 2003 when I switched from Win to SuSe Linux . But I was stunned how much technical support I received free of charge even from perfect strangers. Just try that here & you'll see. Nowadays a linux setup is btw trivial in comparison.
My educational background: masters in linguistics & literary science, zero formal technical education. If I could do it so can everybody else.
@theaardvark @neonbubble installing Linux is as easy as clicking through a half dozen screens and selecting items such as what username/password you want, what local time, type of keyboard...
You can try Linux in a USB stick (download the image, copy to a USB stick, enable USB booting n computer boot menu, usually a Function key)
See video (Linux Mint 22.x)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_GCxlMrTBQ
Good luck with freeing your computer, and yourself!
@theaardvark @neonbubble ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR PERSONAL FILES. =D Get an external disk, plain copy your stuff, and have it handy for AFTER installation... makes life much easier.
Have a notepad handy, too.
@theaardvark @neonbubble If I may...
MrsD had a Win8 laptop and got the free upgrade to Win10. It doesn't allow patching to be interrupted.
When logging on to send an urgent email, she got "Please wait, applying patches". 24+ hours later, still applying, disc churning.
She asked is she could have"that Linux thing you use". We installed Linux Mint with Cinnamon desktop and she took to it like a duck to water. Later, she reclaimed the space Win10 used, for extra data. Never looked back.
HTH.
@NormanDunbar
Set my mother up with Linux desktop in 2008 after she retired from an office job. Shes used it since, replaced a couple times for hardware upgrades or whatnot. Shes 78 now, still uses it fine. Though uses her phone more.
Install and configuration is much more specialized skill than just using it.
@theaardvark @neonbubble
@theaardvark
Here's a link to where you can try out a Linux distro without downloading it first, simply scroll down to Mint, click it and follow directions. (I'm hearing Linux Mint is the closest to Windows)
@theaardvark I hope you find it helpful.
@theaardvark @neonbubble If you're thinking of trying out Linux, getting a second machine to play with and not using it for anything that your well-being depends on is a good way to go. Treat learning Linux as a hobby.
(I'm a long-time Linux user. Modern desktop Linux has gotten *very* good but it still requires you to know how to problem-solve. It doesn't (can't!) cater to you the way Windows or macOS does.)
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@kura @libreleah canoeboot follows the GNU FSDG, and therefore does not include or touch any non-free software. Canoeboot’s binary blob extermination policy explains the difference.
Basically:
Hallo. I have sent two e-mails on 23 and 27 sept to [email protected] but didn't get a response. I would like to purchase one of your products.
my e-mail is [email protected]
Thank you
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