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% Should Canoeboot become GNU Canoeboot? % Leah Rowe % 12 May 2024
Introduction/context
As many readers know, Libreboot abandoned the GNU FSDG policy in November 2022, instead opting for a different policy allowing blobs only under the most limited circumstances, to allow newer machines to be supported from coreboot. Fewer/zero blobs is still preferred, and this is provided whenever possible; for example, Libreboot recently removed a blob previously used for raminit on Haswell machines, from now on allowing only the libre raminit that recently became stable. This binary blob reduction policy of Libreboot will remain.
However, a minority of people disliked this move, and are yearning for a project much like the old one. Libreboot used to be entirely blob-free; coreboot is otherwise free software, but requires blobs on some mainboards, so Libreboot previously could not support all mainboards from Coreboot.
The benefit of both Canoeboot and Libreboot is that they provide a completely automated build process and installation procedure, with well-tested builds released on a regular basis that the user can simply install, with minimal fuss. You can think of it as a coreboot distro. Coreboot provides snapshot source code archives every few months, but that's it. Libreboot/Canoeboot gives you the ROM images pre-compiled, with source code, and with payloads already pre-configured. In other words: Canoeboot and Libreboot make coreboot extremely easy to use.
Canoeboot: the blob-free fork
I've been maintaining my own fork of Libreboot since October 2023, called Canoeboot. While it may have fewer supported mainboards than Libreboot as a result, it complies fully with the GNU Free System Distribution Guidelines, in providing an entirely de-blobbed coreboot distro, like Libreboot used to be. See:
Email sent to GNU Eval
With the recent Canoeboot 20240510 release, I've decided: Canoeboot should become a GNU project.
Therefore, I sent GNU Eval an email requesting that they review it, laying the case for GNU membership. This will apply to Canoeboot, not Libreboot, since Canoeboot is the only one of the two that fully complies with their policies.
That email is published here (replies will not be published):
https://canoeboot.org/news/gnu.html
In it, I make a strong case in support of membership.
Share your opinion!
I encourage members of the public to also voice their opinions about this topic. Therefore, I have publicised this link in several places:
Thread on FSF LibrePlanet mailing list: https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/libreplanet-discuss/2024-05/msg00001.html
Thread on my Mastodon account: https://mas.to/@libreleah/112428793049670713
Thread on Trisquel forums (FSF endorsed GNU+Linux distro, and de-facto stomping ground for many debates within the FSF community):
https://trisquel.info/en/forum/should-gnu-boot-become-gnu-canoeboot
Discussion welcome!
Final thoughts
I'm taking a very much hands-off approach with this; I've sent the initial email and asked the public what they think, so it's up to them to say what they think.
Whether Canoeboot is accepted or not, it will continue operating along its current course, providing a viable coreboot distro for diehard purists who adhere to the FSF and GNU project.
I've always believed absolutely in the Four Freedoms, as defined by the GNU Free Software Definition; Libreboot merely takes a different approach these days in implementing it, while Canoeboot takes an approach that is precisely in line with that of the FSF. In so doing, I provide users with a choice of which vision they prefer, and I try as best I can to faithfully serve both communities.
That's all for now. I'm probably expecting that nothing will come of this, but the intent is there. I'd be very happy though if they say yes!