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This article on PC World asks if Purism's goals for the Librem open-source-top-to-bottom laptop are even possible. The early conclusion seems to be "No", although there's a more nuanced discussion if you click through to the article.
Personally, I suspect that it's going to be very difficult without someone reverse engineering a number of pieces of the system, or someone coming up with a fully open-source, yet x86_64-compatible, CPU design - both of which seem unlikely in today's world.
What do Soylentils think of Purism and the chances of them succeeding at Librem's goals?
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Are Purism's Goals for the Librem Laptop Possible to Achieve?
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sillema sillema nika su
(Score: 2) by zafiro17 on Sunday August 09 2015, @05:44PM
Somehow this article seems like its intent was malicious (not the Soylent piece, TFA). I say, quit the wankfest over what constitutes free and keep the goal intact: working towards a totally free machine is a worthy goal and if they ever get there, I'll be the first in line. I don't care if it's x86 and I don't even care if it's slightly slower than other machines on the market. An open machine is a gee-worthy goal and we should support it. Given the way the industry is going these days, if we don't stand behind a project that's chosen the route of ideological purity, we'll all be shafted before the decade is out. C'mon, the NSA has even rooted the firmware on most harddrive controllers ferfuck'ssake. We are currently not only losing the right to use our computers in peace and tranquility, we are losing the right not to get tracked six ways to Sunday. The Librem might not be all the way there - keep trying, geeks: you're doing the right thing, we support you, and when you finally release your killer machine, an army of nerds will be there to buy them. MIPS, cool - extra geek factor.
Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis - Jack Handey
(Score: 1) by drgibbon on Monday August 10 2015, @11:19AM
I think that's the thing, Purism are not there but they are/were making a lot of noise as if they are. Check this link out [puri.sm] under "Philosophy", that emphasis on the "will" in the analysis of their philosophy seems pretty dishonest to me. So you could have been reading pre-purchase and quite sensibly taken
We promise that a Purism system and all its components will be free according to the strictest of guidelines set forth by the Free Software Foundation’s Free Software Definition.
to mean "the system you are buying will be like that when it arrives", when it actually means "the system you are buying will not be like that, but one in the future will be".
I very much hope Purism gets where they want to be, but I don't like some of the stuff I've been seeing.
Certified Soylent Fresh!
(Score: 2) by zafiro17 on Monday August 10 2015, @08:25PM
Ha, working according to the timeworn tradition: Engineering/design failing to meet your objectives? Cover it over with marketing language? It's like smothering your shitty cooking with ketchup: covers up all the flaws. Hopefully no one will notice!
Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis - Jack Handey