diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index eb3e5d1..b7492f6 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -18,27 +18,31 @@ prefer Canoeboot, which is essentially a *censored* Libreboot (no binary blobs allowed, so only few boards supported whereas Libreboot supports more boards while minimising the number of blobs to zero when possible). -For more context, please read Libreboot's Binary Blob Reduction Policy: +Canoeboot is provided for the purists who absolutely wish to have no proprietary +software of any kind. Regardless of any other firmware that exists outside of it, +the boot flash on your system will be *entirely free software* if you install +Canoeboot on it. That includes a complete lack of CPU microcode updates, as per +FSF policy. - +More specifically: Canoeboot is engineered to comply with the GNU Free System +Distribution Guidelines. It has, as of November 2023 releases, been strictly +audited by FSF licensing staff (Craig Topham lead the audit), and it is listed +on the FSF's own Free Software Directory. -You may also read Canoeboot's about page, which contains more history pertaining -to *Canoeboot*. Please read this page: - - - -Canoeboot is inferior to Libreboot, in every way, and you should never use it. +Libreboot previously complied with that same policy, but changed to a different +one permitting binary blobs in limited circumstances, so as to support more newer +machines. Canoeboot is, then, a continuation of the traditional Libreboot +project prior to that policy change. Some users still want it, so, Canoeboot +releases are rigoriously maintained, re-basing on newer Libreboot releases over +time, just like how, say, Trisquel, re-bases itself on each new Ubuntu release. Project goals ============= -- Be Libreboot, but adhere to GNU FSDG as policy. This means that many boards - from Libreboot must be removed; Canoeboot is therefore inferior to Libreboot, - and always will be. It provides a useful proof of concept, showing what - is still possible when you completely bastardise Libreboot in like with - FSF/GNU dogma - and Canoeboot does it better than GNU ever could. -- *Support as much hardware as possible!* (within the restrictions imposed - by GNU FSDG policy) +- Obviously, support as much hardware as possible (within the limitations + imposed by GNU FSDG, and using what coreboot happens to have in its source + tree - Canoeboot also heavily patches coreboot, sometimes adding new + mainboards out-of-tree). - *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 @@ -64,7 +68,8 @@ Not a coreboot fork! -------------------- Canoeboot 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, by virtue of maintaining sync +with Libreboot releases (minus un-GNU parts), with the number of custom patches in use minimized. Tested, *stable* (static) releases are then provided in Canoeboot, based on specific coreboot revisions.