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update README

This commit is contained in:
Leah Rowe 2021-05-18 14:00:18 +01:00
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/grub/ /grub/
/memtest86plus/ /memtest86plus/
/seabios/ /seabios/
/mrc/
/bin/ /bin/
/release/ /release/
/descriptors/ /descriptors/

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Information about osboot can be found at <https://osboot.org/>
This is the *libre* version of osboot, so it only has support for hardware that
can boot without any binary blobs in the ROM image.
This branch of osboot is basically pointless. It was created to then be forked
and adapted for a new Libreboot release.
Free your BIOS today! GNU GPL style Free your BIOS today! GNU GPL style
=================================== ===================================
osboot is Find libreboot documentation at <https://libreboot.org/>
Libreboot is
[freedom-respecting](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html) [freedom-respecting](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html)
*boot firmware* that initializes the hardware (e.g. *boot firmware* that initializes the hardware (e.g.
memory controller, CPU, peripherals) in your computer so that software can run. memory controller, CPU, peripherals) in your computer so that software can run.
osboot then starts a bootloader to load your operating system. It replaces the Libreboot then starts a bootloader to load your operating system. It replaces the
proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware typically found on a computer. osboot is proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware typically found on a computer. Libreboot is
compatible with [specific computer models that use the Intel/AMD x86 compatible with specific computer models that use the Intel/AMD x86
architecture](docs/hardware/). osboot works well with GNU+Linux and BSD architecture. Libreboot works well with GNU+Linux and BSD
operating systems. User support is available operating systems. User support is available
at [\#osboot](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=osboot) on Freenode at [\#libreboot](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=libreboot) on Freenode
IRC. IRC.
osboot is a *Free Software* project, but can be considered Open Source. 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) [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 teaches why you should call it Free Software instead; alternatively, you may
call it libre software. call it libre software.
osboot uses [coreboot](https://www.coreboot.org/) for hardware initialization. Libreboot uses [coreboot](https://www.coreboot.org/) for hardware initialization.
However, *coreboot* is notoriously difficult to compile and install for most However, *coreboot* is notoriously difficult to compile and install for most
non-technical users. There are many complicated configuration steps required, non-technical users. There are many complicated configuration steps required,
and coreboot by itself is useless; coreboot only handles basic hardware and coreboot by itself is useless; coreboot only handles basic hardware
@ -37,19 +31,19 @@ GNU GRUB), UEFI implementation (such as Tianocore) or BIOS implementation
distribution from scratch, it may aswell be as far as most non-technical users distribution from scratch, it may aswell be as far as most non-technical users
are concerned. are concerned.
osboot solves this problem in a novel way: Libreboot solves this problem in a novel way:
osboot is a *coreboot distribution* much like Debian is a *GNU+Linux Libreboot is a *coreboot distribution* much like Debian is a *GNU+Linux
distribution*. osboot provides an *automated build system* that downloads, distribution*. Libreboot provides an *automated build system* that downloads,
patches (where necessary) and compiles coreboot, GNU GRUB, various payloads and patches (where necessary) and compiles coreboot, GNU GRUB, various payloads and
all other software components needed to build a complete, working *ROM image* 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 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 GNU+Linux distribution (e.g. Debian) provides an ISO image that you can use to
replace your current operating system (e.g. Windows). replace your current operating system (e.g. Windows).
Information about who works on osboot, and who runs the project, can be Information about who works on Libreboot, and who runs the project, can be
found on the [who.md](who.md) page. found on the [who page](https://libreboot.org/who.html) page.
Why use osboot? Why use Libreboot?
================== ==================
[Free software](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html) is important for [Free software](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html) is important for
@ -68,20 +62,21 @@ 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 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 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 speaking, free software is software that is under the direct sovereignty of the
user and, more importantly, the collective that is the *community*. osboot 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 is dedicated to the Free Software community, with the aim of making free software
at a *low level* more accessible to non-technical people. at a *low level* more accessible to non-technical people.
Many people use [proprietary](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/proprietary.html) Many people use [proprietary](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/proprietary.html)
boot firmware, even if they use GNU+Linux. Non-free boot firmware often 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 contains backdoors, can be slow and have severe
can be abandoned at any time. By contrast, osboot is a free software project, bugs. Development and support can be abandoned at any time. By contrast,
where anyone can contribute or inspect its code. Libreboot is a free software project, where anyone can contribute or inspect
its code.
osboot is faster, more secure and more reliable than most non-free Libreboot is faster, more secure and more reliable than most non-free
firmware. osboot provides many advanced features, like encrypted firmware. Libreboot provides many advanced features, like encrypted
/boot/, GPG signature checking before booting a Linux kernel and more! /boot/, GPG signature checking before booting a Linux kernel and more!
osboot gives *you* control over *your* computing. Libreboot gives *you* control over *your* computing.
Project goals Project goals
------------- -------------
@ -94,9 +89,9 @@ Project goals
such as the Video BIOS or Intel's *Management Engine*. However, a such as the Video BIOS or Intel's *Management Engine*. However, a
lot of dedicated and talented individuals in coreboot work hard to lot of dedicated and talented individuals in coreboot work hard to
replace these blobs whenever possible. replace these blobs whenever possible.
- *Support as much hardware as possible!* osboot supports less - *Support as much hardware as possible!* Libreboot supports less
hardware than coreboot, because most systems from coreboot still hardware than coreboot, because most systems from coreboot still
require certain proprietary software to work properly. osboot is require certain proprietary software to work properly. Libreboot is
an attempt to support as much hardware as possible, without any an attempt to support as much hardware as possible, without any
proprietary software. proprietary software.
- *Make coreboot easy to use*. Coreboot is notoriously difficult - *Make coreboot easy to use*. Coreboot is notoriously difficult
@ -104,18 +99,18 @@ Project goals
and support. Most people will simply give up before attempting to and support. Most people will simply give up before attempting to
install coreboot. install coreboot.
osboot 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 mailing
lists and IRC. lists and IRC.
osboot 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
the complicated steps that are otherwise required, are instead done the complicated steps that are otherwise required, are instead done
for the user in advance. for the user in advance.
You can download ROM images for your osboot system and install You can download ROM images for your libreboot system and install
them without having to build anything from source. If, however, you are them without having to build anything from source. If, however, you are
interested in building your own image, the build system makes it relatively interested in building your own image, the build system makes it relatively
easy to do so. easy to do so.
@ -123,34 +118,44 @@ easy to do so.
Not a coreboot fork! Not a coreboot fork!
-------------------- --------------------
osboot is not a fork of coreboot. Every so often, the project Libreboot 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, 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 osboot, based on specific coreboot revisions. in Libreboot, based on specific coreboot revisions.
Coreboot is not entirely free software. It has binary blobs in it for some Coreboot is not entirely free software. It has binary blobs in it for some
platforms. What osboot does is download several revisions of coreboot, for platforms. What Libreboot does is download several revisions of coreboot, for
different boards, and *de-blob* those coreboot revisions. This is done using different boards, and *de-blob* those coreboot revisions. This is done using
the *linux-libre* deblob scripts, to find binary blobs in coreboot. the *linux-libre* deblob scripts, to find binary blobs in coreboot.
All new coreboot development should be done in coreboot (upstream), not All new coreboot development should be done in coreboot (upstream), not
osboot! osboot is about deblobbing and packaging coreboot in a libreboot! Libreboot is about deblobbing and packaging coreboot in a
user-friendly way, where most work is already done for the user. user-friendly way, where most work is already done for the user.
For example, if you wanted to add a new board to osboot, you should For example, if you wanted to add a new board to libreboot, you should
add it to coreboot first. osboot will automatically receive your code add it to coreboot first. Libreboot will automatically receive your code
at a later date, when it updates itself. at a later date, when it updates itself.
The deblobbed coreboot tree used in osboot is referred to as The deblobbed coreboot tree used in libreboot is referred to as
*coreboot-libre*, to distinguish it as a component of *osboot*. *coreboot-libre*, to distinguish it as a component of *libreboot*.
A coreboot *fork* is planned for the future. Nowadays, coreboot drops support A coreboot *fork* is planned for the future. Nowadays, coreboot drops support
for boards that are "unmaintained", which in some cases just means that nobody for boards that are "unmaintained", which in some cases just means that nobody
submitted a new status update (to the *board-status* repository), so nowadays submitted a new status update (to the *board-status* repository), so nowadays
osboot must maintain multiple versions of coreboot. This is unsustainable, Libreboot must maintain multiple versions of coreboot. This is unsustainable,
so a fork is planned, re-adding all of the deleted boards, backporting newer so a fork is planned, re-adding all of the deleted boards, backporting newer
coreboot features and, possibly, having support for those boards re-merged coreboot features and, possibly, having support for those boards re-merged
upstream, where coreboot and the fork will share code back and forth. As of upstream, where coreboot and the fork will share code back and forth. As of
27 April 2021, work on this fork has not yet begun. 27 April 2021, work on this fork has not yet begun.
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.
Copy of the GNU Free Documentation License v1.3 here:
<https://www.gnu.org/licenses/fdl-1.3.en.html>
Info about Free Software Foundation:
<https://www.fsf.org/>

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osboot-libre libreboot