Cheers! Fwiw, here’s a list of compatible desktops from the libreboot website:
Does this require fiddling with software?
Depends. Libreboot replaces your processor’s firmware with fully libre software. Most importantly, it gets rid of Intel Management Engine, which is a firmware-level spyware that all modern laptops have. Almost all laptops are stuck with this firmware – the sole exception are ~10 machines, mostly Toshiba, from 2008-2012ish. With these, you can completely eliminate the Intel ME by flashing your firmware with libreboot.
Now, in most cases, this requires tinkering with hardware. If you’re lucky, you can find a ThinkPad model that you can flash without having to gut the whole machine first. So in most cases (to my understanding), librebooting a machine is heavy on having to disassemble your laptop.
Does it work out of the box?
If by ‘out of the box’ you mean ‘works without issue once installed’, then yes. Once you’ve done the fiddling and set everything up, you don’t even have to think of libreboot again.
Some motherboard bios will give overclocking(OC) options. Does Libreboot give OC options, RAID drivers, or boot security options (encrypted OS)?
This is mostly beyond my expertise, but I recommend going through libreboot’s extremely informative official website.
If i wanted to take my current Franken-desktop and switch out the BIOS/UEFI and keep the OS, could this do it gracefully?
Almost definitely no. Libreboot only works on a select few devices, all of which have been out of production for about a decade (usually more). It’s a great option if you’re 1) Willing to tinker, AND 2) Either have one of the compatible models lying around, OR 3) Are willing to find one off of eBay auctions or local marketplaces.
You can find the list of compatible laptops on the libreboot website – if you’re lucky, maybe you have/can find one of these. If not, I’m not fully sure this has been of much help to you :')
The main appeal of libreboot is that you can truly create a 100% libre laptop with it. No blobs, no proprietary software, no invasive surveillance even at the firmware level.
What’s this?
Does this only work from a browser, or can one do it via the apps e.g. Jerboa, as well?
The basic mistake I see us all make is assume that Spez has any emotional attachment to Reddit (let alone anything close to how attached we are to it). He doesn’t.
Once you realize that he’s 100% in it for the money and is utterly uncaring about Reddit’s users (i.e. you), you’ll realize that he couldn’t give less of a shit about actually addressing our concerns.
This will also make you immune to any PR sanitising lies him and his team spout, as all such lies hinge on your willingness to give him some benefit of the doubt. We shouldn’t.
What instance are you trying it on? lemmy.ml is very clogged at the moment. I’m using sopuli.xyz, its server has just been upgraded, and the owner is very quick to approve new users.
Created a Beatles community on this instance if you’d like to join it!
Any good recommendations for FOSS keyboards with Swype-like functionality? Literally the only thing keeping me attached to GBoard…
Hey I LOVE this idea! I had it myself but I can’t code for nuts, so glad to see someone else trying it out.
Question: how can we follow your progress? Are you thinking of creating a dedicated community/website to share updates? If one already exists then do let me know, I’d love to stay connected.
EDIT: As for copyright/concerns…if the goal is to preserve information, then maybe you have some way to pseudonymise usernames as part of the script. Or even remove usernames completely, as we’re focusing on the comments.
I prefer pseudonymising, as you can replace real usernames with fake ones, so that it’s still possibly to follow who’s replying to whom within the context of a comment thread.
Hey! You can also post this to !beatles@sopuli.xyz if you fancy :)
Beatles