this post was submitted on 22 Jul 2024
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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How FOSS is your setup? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 3 months ago by gnutard@sh.itjust.works to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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[–] pastermil@sh.itjust.works 7 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Got multiple machines, but I think my most FOSS setup is a corebooted Thinkpad X230. The ME firmware was stripped, leaving it non-functional after the initialization. I replaced the WiFi card with an Atheros one that doesn't require non-free firmware. The GPU is by Intel Ivy Bridge, so no need for proprietary driver. Currently running Debian on it.

With that said, there are some components I couldn't get by:

  • the EC firmware is pretty much a blackbox, even though I was able to unlock some part to make it work with aftermarket batteries
  • the graphic ROM may still be proprietary (gonna have to recheck what my machine got currently) -- FOSS is an option as well but with less support
  • even though non-functional, the ME is still on -- god knows what this thing does exactly
  • CPU microcode

The rest of the components are pretty well-documented by the community if not by the OEMs themselves.

I would put 95% for this specific setup. However, if counting everything I got, not even close, as I need some proprietary components for living.

For example, my company gave me a newer Thinkpad to do work, which thankfully I got to install Linux on. I still have to run enterprise stuff from time to time, most of which are far from FOSS.

And don't get me started on tax form submission.