From 0de3e2d022b72c8f5739a24d0dededa830589c3c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Alyssa Rosenzweig Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2017 20:34:19 -0700 Subject: Merge site in --- www/amd-libre.md | 131 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 131 insertions(+) create mode 100644 www/amd-libre.md (limited to 'www/amd-libre.md') diff --git a/www/amd-libre.md b/www/amd-libre.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..5370d989 --- /dev/null +++ b/www/amd-libre.md @@ -0,0 +1,131 @@ +--- +title: Libreboot calls on AMD to release source code and specs for Ryzen platform +... + +Recently in the Libreboot project, we've been informed about the new +Ryzen platforms being released and sold by AMD. They are currently +taking input from the community. Here are ways you can contact AMD to +tell them that you demand libre hardware: + +- +- +- +- +- (has contact links + for multiple countries) +- **AMD's CEO, Lisa Su, can be contacted directly via email. Tell her + that you demand libre hardware: ** + +Libreboot aims to provide fully *free software* initialization firmware +on Intel, AMD, ARM, POWER and RISC-V platforms, and already does so on +some older platforms. + +As documented in the [Libreboot FAQ section](../faq.md#amd), AMD is +currently uncooperative in the libre software movement. Specifically, it +releases non-free binary-only firmware for its platforms, along with +tyrant technologies like the [AMD Platform Security +Processor](../faq.md#amdpsp). + +We in the Libreboot project call on AMD to release source code and start +cooperating with our upstream, [coreboot](https://coreboot.org/) (and +[librecore](http://librecore.info)) for its new Ryzen platform and +existing Zen platforms. This includes source code for all initialization +firmware (typically referred to as the BIOS or UEFI firmware, by some +members of the community), and in particular, the *AMD Platform Security +Processor*, to allow the free/libre software community to use AMD +hardware that is entirely freedom-respecting. If it's not too much to +ask, we also would like source code and signing keys, including for the +PSP and microcode for the CPU. + +We would also like to have board design guides, datasheets and +footprints for CPUs/southbridges and so on. + +We especially need the signing keys to be released, for those components +which are signed (PSP, CPU microcode, SMU, etc). This will make +utilising any released source code possible (at present, some components +will not run unless the firmware is signed by a certain signature, +usually under lock and key by the hardware manufacturer). + +We in the community need freedom-respecting hardware! We call on AMD to +work with us in the Libreboot, Coreboot and Librecore projects on +bringing about a world where computing technology is no longer under +lock and key from the manufacturer, and instead in the control and +ownership of users. + +This has several benefits for AMD. There is currently a huge demand in +the market for libre hardware. At present, the only companies providing +it are ones like [Ministry of Freedom](https://minifree.org) where +systems are sold with entirely free software, including the boot +firmware and operating system, without any signed firmware for which no +keys are available to the public. + +The problem? These companies are selling much older systems that are +made libre mostly through reverse engineering. At present, the systems +sold by such companies are using older hardware designs from 5-10 years +ago, which means that most people who wish to use all libre software +cannot do so, due to practicality concerns. There are some people who +will use these older systems, but that is not without a huge sacrifice +to their convenience since they end up using older, obsolete hardware +and certain tasks (especially serious software development) becomes +impractical for a lot of people. + +AMD has the power to reverse this trend, and there is a potential for a +great amount of profit to be made. The free/libre and open source +software communities would jump head over heels to support such a move. +In other words, AMD can make money from investing in the libre software +community. + +There is even a precedent already set. AMD previously did release source +code for all of their newer platforms, to the coreboot project, but then +they stopped. We're calling for this to resume, and to expand further +than before. + +Here are some examples of popular campaigns, some of which were +successful: + +- +- +- + +In all of these cases, the campaigns were popular and this was despite +the hardware either being low-end and unsuitable for most people, or too +expensive for most people to afford. + +Then look at the popularity of the Libreboot project. + +Just imagine what would happen if AMD started to produce cheap, +affordable libre hardware, to the point where Libreboot could start +supporting newer systems from AMD. The possibilities are endless! People +would jump towards AMD and AMD's sales would go through the roof, while +we in the libre hardware community would finally have systems from a +manufacturer that cares for our freedoms to use our computers without +proprietary software. + +Even low-end hardware like the BeagleBone or Raspberry Pi ([which can be +liberated](https://blog.rosenzweig.io/blobless-linux-on-the-pi.html)) +shows that libre technology is profitable, and desired by the community. + +Then look at the Google Chromebooks. These devices come with coreboot +preinstalled by default! There are even some ARM chromebooks that we +support in Libreboot, which are still produced and sold brand new by +resellers (e.g. Amazon, Newegg, etc). These devices are sold in the +millions! This just shows that it's not only possible, but profitable, +for AMD to start releasing systems which respect the freedom of users. + +It's not just commercial benefits that are made possible. There are all +kinds of possibilities for scientific research if systems are libre at +the hardware/firmware level. For instance, at present, universities do +not teach BIOS / boot firmware development in their computer science +courses, because this technology is currently restricted by +manufacturers and available only to a privileged few. + +AMD has the power to do the right thing. We in Libreboot call on AMD to +work with us in building a world where users of technology can use their +computers without relying on any proprietary software. We want - need - +a world of highly secure, libre, owner-controlled hardware, from +companies that care about software freedom. + +We in the Libreboot project are available to contact, using the details +on the homepage. We look forward to working with AMD :) + + -- cgit v1.2.3-70-g09d2