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update the README

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Leah Rowe 2022-12-02 21:38:10 +00:00
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@ -3,83 +3,69 @@ Free your BIOS today! GNU GPL style
Find libreboot documentation at <https://libreboot.org/> Find libreboot documentation at <https://libreboot.org/>
Libreboot is The `libreboot` project provides
[freedom-respecting](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html) [libre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source) *boot
*boot firmware* that initializes the hardware (e.g. firmware* that initializes the hardware (e.g. memory controller, CPU,
memory controller, CPU, peripherals) in your computer so that software can run. peripherals) on specific Intel/AMD x86 and ARM targets, which
Libreboot then starts a bootloader to load your operating system. It replaces the then starts a bootloader for your operating system. Linux/BSD are
proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware typically found on a computer. Libreboot is well-supported. It replaces proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware. Help is available
compatible with specific computer models that use the Intel/AMD x86 via [\#libreboot IRC](https://web.libera.chat/#libreboot)
architecture. Libreboot works well with GNU+Linux and BSD on [Libera](https://libera.chat/) IRC.
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.
Why use Libreboot? Why use Libreboot?
================== ==================
[Free software](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html) is important for Why should you use *libreboot*?
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)** 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 You have rights. The right to privacy, freedom of thought, freedom of speech
of speech and the right to read. In the context of computing, that means anyone and the right to read. In this context, Libreboot gives you these rights.
can use [free software](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html). Simply Your freedom matters.
speaking, free software is software that is under the direct sovereignty of the [Right to repair](https://vid.puffyan.us/watch?v=Npd_xDuNi9k) matters.
user and, more importantly, the collective that is the *community*. Libreboot Many people use proprietary (non-libre)
is dedicated to the Free Software community, with the aim of making free software boot firmware, even if they use [a libre OS](https://www.openbsd.org/).
at a *low level* more accessible to non-technical people. 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.
Many people use [proprietary](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/proprietary.html) The `libreboot` project uses [coreboot](https://www.coreboot.org/) for [hardware
boot firmware, even if they use GNU+Linux. Non-free boot firmware often initialisation](https://doc.coreboot.org/getting_started/architecture.html).
contains backdoors, can be slow and have severe Coreboot is notoriously difficult to install for most non-technical users; it
bugs. Development and support can be abandoned at any time. By contrast, handles only basic initialization and jumps to a separate
Libreboot is a free software project, where anyone can contribute or inspect [payload](https://doc.coreboot.org/payloads.html) program (e.g.
its code. [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.
Libreboot is faster, more secure and more reliable than most non-free How does Libreboot differ from coreboot?
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. 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 Project goals
------------- =============
- *Support as much hardware as possible!* Libreboot aims to eventually - *Support as much hardware as possible!* Libreboot aims to eventually
have *maintainers* for every board supported by coreboot, at every 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 Libreboot attempts to bridge this divide by providing a build system
automating much of the coreboot image creation and customization. automating much of the coreboot image creation and customization.
Secondly, the project produces documentation aimed at non-technical users. Secondly, the project produces documentation aimed at non-technical users.
Thirdly, the project attempts to provide excellent user support via mailing Thirdly, the project attempts to provide excellent user support via IRC.
lists and IRC.
Libreboot 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 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 patches in use minimized. Tested, *stable* (static) releases are then provided
in Libreboot, based on specific coreboot revisions. in Libreboot, based on specific coreboot revisions.
LICENSE FOR THIS README: How to help
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: You can check bugs listed on
<https://www.gnu.org/licenses/fdl-1.3.en.html> the [bug tracker](https://notabug.org/libreboot/lbmk/issues).
Info about Free Software Foundation: If you spot a bug and have a fix, the website has instructions for how to send
<https://www.fsf.org/> 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>