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diff --git a/docs/index.html b/docs/index.html index f672db1b..f3439c4b 100644 --- a/docs/index.html +++ b/docs/index.html @@ -12,213 +12,162 @@ </head> <body> - <h1 id="pagetop">Libreboot project documentation</h1> - - <p> - It is expected that your libreboot-compatible device is running <a href="https://www.gnu.org/distros/">GNU/Linux</a> - (no other operating system is known to work with this release of libreboot). - </p> - <p> - <a href="#why">What is libreboot?</a> - </p> - -<hr/> - - <h2>Release information</h2> + + <div class="section"> + <h1 id="pagetop">Libreboot project documentation</h1> <p> Information about this release can be found at <a href="release.html">release.html</a>. Always check <a href="http://libreboot.org">libreboot.org</a> for updates. </p> <p> - The release page and <a href="future/index.html">future/index.html</a> contain details - about future work. - </p> - - <h2>Hardware compatibility list</h2> - <p> - Information about what systems libreboot supports. - </p> - <p> - Goto <a href="hcl/index.html">hcl/index.html</a>. - </p> - - <h2>Installing libreboot</h2> - <p> - Information about how to install libreboot on supported targets, - using software and/or dedicated hardware. - </p> - <p> - Goto <a href="install/index.html">install/index.html</a>. - </p> - - <h2>GNU/Linux distributions</h2> - <p> - Installing GNU/Linux distributions, preparing bootable USB drives, changing the default GRUB - menu and so on. - </p> - <p> - This also contains guides for fully encrypted Trisquel and Parabola GNU/Linux-libre installations. - </p> - <p> - Goto <a href="gnulinux/index.html">gnulinux/index.html</a>. - </p> - - <h2>Developing libreboot</h2> - <p> - Information about configuring libreboot, building from source, maintaining the project, - working in git and so on. - </p> - <p> - Goto <a href="git/index.html">git/index.html</a>. - </p> - - <h2>Security topics</h2> - <p> - Goto <a href="security/index.html">security/index.html</a>. - </p> - - <h2>Hardware maintenance</h2> - <p> - Goto <a href="hardware/index.html">hardware/index.html</a>. + <a href="#why">What is libreboot?</a> </p> + </div> - <h2>GRUB payload</h2> - <p> - Information about fonts and keyboard layouts used in GRUB. - </p> - <p> - Goto <a href="grub/index.html">grub/index.html</a> - </p> - - <h2>Miscellaneous</h2> - <p> - Random topics that don't belong anywhere else. - </p> - <p> - Goto <a href="misc/index.html">misc/index.html</a>. - </p> - -<hr/> - - <h1 id="why">What is libreboot, really?</h1> - + <div class="section"> + + <h1>Table of contents</h1> + <ul> + <li><a href="hcl/index.html">Hardware compatibility list</a> - <a href="https://www.gnu.org/distros/">GNU/Linux</a> is expected to be running on your device.</li> + <li><a href="install/index.html">How to install libreboot</a></li> + <li><a href="gnulinux/index.html">How to install GNU/Linux on a libreboot system</a></li> + <li><a href="git/index.html">How to use the git repository and build libreboot from source</a></li> + <li><a href="security/index.html">Hardware security</a></li> + <li><a href="hardware/index.html">Hardware maintenance</a></li> + <li><a href="grub/index.html">GRUB payload</a></li> + <li><a href="future/index.html">Planned work</a></li> + <li><a href="misc/index.html">Miscellaneous</a></li> + </ul> + + </div> + + <div class="section" id="why"> + + <h1>About the libreboot project</h1> + + <p> + Libreboot is a <a href="http://coreboot.org/">coreboot</a> distribution (distro) with proprietary software removed, + intended to be a <a href="https://www.fsf.org/about/what-is-free-software">free</a> + (libre) 'BIOS' replacement for your computer. The project is aimed at users, attempting to make + coreboot as easy to use as possible. + </p> + + <p> + Read the full <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html">Free Software definition</a>. + </p> + + <div class="subsection"> + <h2> + The libreboot project has three main goals: + </h2> + <ul> + <li> + <i><u><b>Recommend and distribute only free software</b></u></i>. The coreboot project distributes proprietary code/blobs on some computers; + this can include things like CPU microcode updates, memory initialization code and so on. The project also actively + recommends that the user install additional blobs in some cases (such as the video BIOS or Intel ME). + While this can be necessary from the coreboot project's point of view, Libreboot is an attempt to support as many + computers from coreboot as possible, without distributing any blobs and without having the user install additional + proprietary software. This is not to say that the coreboot project is bad; a lot of extremely dedicated and talented + individuals in coreboot work night and day to reverse engineer and free those blobs that still remain in coreboot. + <i>Any system from coreboot that can run without blobs is a viable libreboot candidate!</i> + </li> + <li> + <i><u><b>Support as much hardware as possible!</b></u></i> This goes without saying. The list of officially supported hardware + in libreboot is smaller than in upstream (coreboot), because some boards in coreboot require proprietary software which + libreboot does not and will not distribute. The main goal of the libreboot project is to spread free software at a low-level + (the boot firmware) to as many people as possible, so of course that means supporting as much hardware as possible (but without + compromising on the main goal). + </li> + <li> + <i><u><b>Make coreboot easy to use</b></u></i>. The main problem that many users have with coreboot is that it is extremely difficult to + understand, learn about, install and use. This is understandable; coreboot is a low-level piece of software and has many + talented individuals working on it, but the project's resources are limited and so the developers focus their efforts on the code. + Coreboot offers wonderful support for other coreboot developers and those who wish to climb up + that steep curve to learn everything that they can.<br/><br/> + + At the same time, those who simply want to use coreboot (for any number + of reasons) are often left feeling intimidated and many of them give up in frustration. Libreboot attempts to bridge this gap; + its documentation is entirely focussed on users, with detailed steps showing exactly how to install and use it and the issues + that they may come across (and how to work around them).<br/><br/> + + Almost everything in libreboot is completely automated, with + scripts for downloading, building and installing the various components used in libreboot. Pre-compiled ROM images built + from the libreboot source code are provided, along with the utilities (statically compiled, from libreboot sources) that the user will need for installing them.<br/><br/> + + Libreboot is similar in concept to a GNU/Linux or GNU/Linux-libre distribution; it is composed of not just coreboot (deblobbed), + but everything else that the user will need, such as GRUB and flashrom. These are all fully integrated, in a way where + most of the detailed steps otherwise required of the user (if they used coreboot, the upstream provider) are completely eliminated.<br/><br/> + + In much the same way that you can simply download an ISO image for your favourite GNU/Linux-libre distribution, and install it, + you can download pre-compiled libreboot ROM images (built from the sources) along with installation scripts and documentation + that make libreboot as easy to use as possible. + </li> + </ul> + </div> + + <p> + Libreboot is <b>not</b> a fork of coreboot, despite misconceptions of this fact. Libreboot (downstream supplier) is a parallel effort + which works closely with and re-bases on the latest coreboot (upstream supplier) every so often. + </p> + + <p> + <b> + As such, all new coreboot development should be done in coreboot, not libreboot! + Libreboot is about deblobbing, and packaging coreboot in a user-friendly way, where most work is already done for the user! + If, for example you wanted to attempt porting a new motherboard then you should do that in coreboot. Libreboot will (as a downstream supplier) + receive your change at some point in the future, in a future release. + </b> + </p> + + <p> + <i>Libreboot</i> as a whole is the distribution consisting of everything surrounding coreboot. However, the main component is coreboot; + libreboot's deblobbed coreboot tree is sometimes referred to as <i>coreboot-libre</i> to distinguish it as a component of <i>libreboot</i>. + </p> + + <h2> + Libreboot is a 'stable' coreboot + </h2> + <ul> + <li> + Coreboot uses the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_release">rolling release</a> model, which + is quite volatile; one day when you build coreboot, it may or may not work correctly on your machine. + </li> + <li> + Libreboot changes less often (as far as the release model is concerned), focusing instead on 'tested' releases for <i>specific machines</i>. + At any given time, it might also be possible to build ROM images for systems other than those officially supported. If you get your board to work + (without violating the <i>"coreboot development goes in coreboot"</i> rule), then others could benefit from it. + </li> + </ul> + + <p> + On the other hand, coreboot is also strict about what it accepts (merges) into the main git repository: + most of the time, a lot of changes are under review at review.coreboot.org (as a way of encouraging as much further development + as possible before accepting the patch). + </p> + + <p> + Meanwhile, libreboot is a lot less strict in this area and freely merges specific patches that are desirable, sometimes before they are merged into coreboot's main repository. + </p> + + <p><a href="#pagetop">Back to top of page.</a></p> + + </div> + + <div class="section"> + <p> - Libreboot is a <a href="http://coreboot.org/">coreboot</a> distribution (distro) with proprietary software removed, - intended to be a <a href="https://www.fsf.org/about/what-is-free-software">free</a> - (libre) 'BIOS' replacement for your computer. The project is aimed at users, attempting to make - coreboot as easy to use as possible. + Copyright © 2014, 2015 Francis Rowe <info@gluglug.org.uk><br/> + This document is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Public License and all future versions. + A copy of the license can be found at <a href="license.txt">license.txt</a>. </p> <p> - Read the full <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html">Free Software definition</a>. + This document is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, + but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of + MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See <a href="license.txt">license.txt</a> for more information. </p> - - <h2> - The libreboot project has three main goals: - </h2> - <ul> - <li> - <i><u><b>Recommend and distribute only free software</b></u></i>. The coreboot project distributes proprietary code/blobs on some computers; - this can include things like CPU microcode updates, memory initialization code and so on. The project also actively - recommends that the user install additional blobs in some cases (such as the video BIOS or Intel ME). - While this can be necessary from the coreboot project's point of view, Libreboot is an attempt to support as many - computers from coreboot as possible, without distributing any blobs and without having the user install additional - proprietary software. This is not to say that the coreboot project is bad; a lot of extremely dedicated and talented - individuals in coreboot work night and day to reverse engineer and free those blobs that still remain in coreboot. - <i>Any system from coreboot that can run without blobs is a viable libreboot candidate!</i> - </li> - <li> - <i><u><b>Support as much hardware as possible!</b></u></i> This goes without saying. The list of officially supported hardware - in libreboot is smaller than in upstream (coreboot), because some boards in coreboot require proprietary software which - libreboot does not and will not distribute. The main goal of the libreboot project is to spread free software at a low-level - (the boot firmware) to as many people as possible, so of course that means supporting as much hardware as possible (but without - compromising on the main goal). - </li> - <li> - <i><u><b>Make coreboot easy to use</b></u></i>. The main problem that many users have with coreboot is that it is extremely difficult to - understand, learn about, install and use. This is understandable; coreboot is a low-level piece of software and has many - talented individuals working on it, but the project's resources are limited and so the developers focus their efforts on the code. - Coreboot offers wonderful support for other coreboot developers and those who wish to climb up - that steep curve to learn everything that they can.<br/><br/> - - At the same time, those who simply want to use coreboot (for any number - of reasons) are often left feeling intimidated and many of them give up in frustration. Libreboot attempts to bridge this gap; - its documentation is entirely focussed on users, with detailed steps showing exactly how to install and use it and the issues - that they may come across (and how to work around them).<br/><br/> - - Almost everything in libreboot is completely automated, with - scripts for downloading, building and installing the various components used in libreboot. Pre-compiled ROM images built - from the libreboot source code are provided, along with the utilities (statically compiled, from libreboot sources) that the user will need for installing them.<br/><br/> - - Libreboot is similar in concept to a GNU/Linux or GNU/Linux-libre distribution; it is composed of not just coreboot (deblobbed), - but everything else that the user will need, such as GRUB and flashrom. These are all fully integrated, in a way where - most of the detailed steps otherwise required of the user (if they used coreboot, the upstream provider) are completely eliminated.<br/><br/> - - In much the same way that you can simply download an ISO image for your favourite GNU/Linux-libre distribution, and install it, - you can download pre-compiled libreboot ROM images (built from the sources) along with installation scripts and documentation - that make libreboot as easy to use as possible. - </li> - </ul> - - <p> - Libreboot is <b>not</b> a fork of coreboot, despite misconceptions of this fact. Libreboot (downstream supplier) is a parallel effort - which works closely with and re-bases on the latest coreboot (upstream supplier) every so often. - </p> - - <p> - <b> - As such, all new coreboot development should be done in coreboot, not libreboot! - Libreboot is about deblobbing, and packaging coreboot in a user-friendly way, where most work is already done for the user! - If, for example you wanted to attempt porting a new motherboard then you should do that in coreboot. Libreboot will (as a downstream supplier) - receive your change at some point in the future, in a future release. - </b> - </p> - - <p> - <i>Libreboot</i> as a whole is the distribution consisting of everything surrounding coreboot. However, the main component is coreboot; - libreboot's deblobbed coreboot tree is sometimes referred to as <i>coreboot-libre</i> to distinguish it as a component of <i>libreboot</i>. - </p> - - <h2> - A 'stable' coreboot: - </h2> - <ul> - <li> - Coreboot uses the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_release">rolling release</a> model - (and it is therefore quite volatile; one day when you build coreboot, it may or may not work correctly on your machine). - </li> - <li> - Libreboot changes less often (as far as the release model is concerned), focusing instead on 'tested' releases for <i>specific machines</i>. - At any given time, it might also be possible to build ROM images for systems other than those officially supported. If you get your board to work - (without violating the <i>"coreboot development goes in coreboot"</i> rule), then others could benefit from it. - </li> - </ul> - - <p> - On the other hand, coreboot is also strict about what it accepts (merges) into the main git repository: - most of the time, a lot of changes are under review at review.coreboot.org (as a way of encouraging as much further development - as possible before accepting the patch). - </p> - - <p> - Meanwhile, libreboot is a lot less strict in this area and freely merges specific patches that are desirable, sometimes before they are merged into coreboot's main repository. - </p> - - <p><a href="#pagetop">Back to top of page.</a></p> - -<hr/> - - <p> - Copyright © 2014, 2015 Francis Rowe <info@gluglug.org.uk><br/> - This document is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Public License and all future versions. - A copy of the license can be found at <a href="license.txt">license.txt</a>. - </p> - - <p> - This document is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, - but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of - MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See <a href="license.txt">license.txt</a> for more information. - </p> + + </div> </body> </html> |