6 ms·

That's why it is important to not buy random shiny devices. Open source hardware like for example the Teres-1 [0] are what allows us to stay in control. I can't

by madez 9y ago

That's why it is important to not buy random shiny devices. Open source hardware like for example the Teres-1 [0] are what allows us to stay in control. I can't wait for even more open successors based on RISC-V processors. [0] https://www.olimex.com/Products/DIY-Laptop/ https://www.olimex.com/Products/DIY-Laptop/

katastic 9y ago
If you don't buy a random shiny device, how do you think the people in charge of those companies are even going to know? Even if they DID care, how is your one "not purchase" going to show up in any of their marketing analysis?
morganvachon 9y ago
I wonder why they are using the Allwinner A64 if they are concerned with FOSS though? It's one of the more serial offenders when it comes to GPL violations[1], and it has a backdoor in its custom kernel config that could be used to take over the system[2]. I'm not trying to crap on your efforts, it's just smart to vet any system even if they claim to be FOSS or open hardware friendly. [1] http://linux-sunxi.org/GPL_Violations http://linux-sunxi.org/GPL_Violations [2] https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/05/chinese-arm-vendor-left-developer-backdoor-in-kernel-for-android-pi-devices/ https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/05/chine...
- madez 9y ago
  Active mainlining of Allwinner chips is under way.[0] I only use the devices with kernels from trustable sources, like Debian. The A20-Olinuxino-Micro works already quite good with Debian out of the box. It is even recommended by FreedomBox.[1] Because mainling for the A64 isn't at a usable state right now, I'm holding back on buying a Teres-1. [0] http://linux-sunxi.org/Linux_mainlining_effort http://linux-sunxi.org/Linux_mainlining_effort [1] https://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox/Hardware https://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox/Hardware
gwes 9y ago
But I don't think the open source hardware is very up-to-date and what is the best choice to use. btw I usually use many virtual machines and I need to do some work about 3D project. I think cpu of Intel is good to hacking on Linux.
endymi0n 9y ago
I‘m sorry, but 99% of the population will prefer a random shiny device that plays their cat video to one that lets them be „in control“ but have them recompile their kernel with the correct wifi driver before it works for them. With the current ecosystem, it‘s just much cheaper to mix and match commercial off the shelf solutions that are way too powerful for the job than custom building an optimized solution, because it „just works“. Heck, I‘ll take a Raspberry Pi over an Arduino any day to automate a simple relay, just because with real Go and Linux I can use the same tooling I‘m using every day at work.
- madez 9y ago
  > I‘m sorry, but 99% of the population will prefer a random shiny device That part gives me the impression of a fatalist stance, and I see that waaay too often. When everybody does x, but doing y gives some profit, people are all interested. But if it's doing y for some other reason, then it's always the "that battle is lost", or "the majority will never change". Argh! It is quite irrelevant if the majority buys random shiny devices or not. What matters only is if there are enough customers of good devices.
- dvfjsdhgfv 9y ago
  > Heck, I‘ll take a Raspberry Pi over an Arduino any day to automate a simple relay, just because with real Go and Linux I can use the same tooling I‘m using every day at work. I don't think this is a good example as for many people there are far more good reasons to pick up Arduino over RPi in this scenario. With LinuxBoot the question is far more complicated. If there is a vendor using it, and if it's done properly, you won't even notice a difference.
- npsimons 9y ago
  > I‘m sorry, but 99% of the population will prefer a random shiny device that plays their cat video I'm sorry, but fuck 99% of the population. They're not the makers or creators, they are already well served by what's out there. I am truly grateful to have open options and other people who realize the power and freedom of truly open hardware. I'll gladly pay the costs to not cede that independence.

by madez 9y ago

katastic 9y ago

If you don't buy a random shiny device, how do you think the people in charge of those companies are even going to know? Even if they DID care, how is your one "not purchase" going to show up in any of their marketing analysis?

morganvachon 9y ago

I wonder why they are using the Allwinner A64 if they are concerned with FOSS though? It's one of the more serial offenders when it comes to GPL violations[1], and it has a backdoor in its custom kernel config that could be used to take over the system[2]. I'm not trying to crap on your efforts, it's just smart to vet any system even if they claim to be FOSS or open hardware friendly. [1] http://linux-sunxi.org/GPL_Violations http://linux-sunxi.org/GPL_Violations [2] https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/05/chinese-arm-vendor-left-developer-backdoor-in-kernel-for-android-pi-devices/ https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/05/chine...

madez 9y ago
Active mainlining of Allwinner chips is under way.[0] I only use the devices with kernels from trustable sources, like Debian. The A20-Olinuxino-Micro works already quite good with Debian out of the box. It is even recommended by FreedomBox.[1] Because mainling for the A64 isn't at a usable state right now, I'm holding back on buying a Teres-1. [0] http://linux-sunxi.org/Linux_mainlining_effort http://linux-sunxi.org/Linux_mainlining_effort [1] https://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox/Hardware https://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox/Hardware

gwes 9y ago

But I don't think the open source hardware is very up-to-date and what is the best choice to use. btw I usually use many virtual machines and I need to do some work about 3D project. I think cpu of Intel is good to hacking on Linux.

endymi0n 9y ago

I‘m sorry, but 99% of the population will prefer a random shiny device that plays their cat video to one that lets them be „in control“ but have them recompile their kernel with the correct wifi driver before it works for them. With the current ecosystem, it‘s just much cheaper to mix and match commercial off the shelf solutions that are way too powerful for the job than custom building an optimized solution, because it „just works“. Heck, I‘ll take a Raspberry Pi over an Arduino any day to automate a simple relay, just because with real Go and Linux I can use the same tooling I‘m using every day at work.

madez 9y ago
> I‘m sorry, but 99% of the population will prefer a random shiny device That part gives me the impression of a fatalist stance, and I see that waaay too often. When everybody does x, but doing y gives some profit, people are all interested. But if it's doing y for some other reason, then it's always the "that battle is lost", or "the majority will never change". Argh! It is quite irrelevant if the majority buys random shiny devices or not. What matters only is if there are enough customers of good devices.
dvfjsdhgfv 9y ago
> Heck, I‘ll take a Raspberry Pi over an Arduino any day to automate a simple relay, just because with real Go and Linux I can use the same tooling I‘m using every day at work. I don't think this is a good example as for many people there are far more good reasons to pick up Arduino over RPi in this scenario. With LinuxBoot the question is far more complicated. If there is a vendor using it, and if it's done properly, you won't even notice a difference.
npsimons 9y ago
> I‘m sorry, but 99% of the population will prefer a random shiny device that plays their cat video I'm sorry, but fuck 99% of the population. They're not the makers or creators, they are already well served by what's out there. I am truly grateful to have open options and other people who realize the power and freedom of truly open hardware. I'll gladly pay the costs to not cede that independence.