Hi,
I have a few questions:
1.) Is the only reason why completely free GNU/Linux distros like Gobuntu or gnewsense don't work as well because of a lack of FOSS drivers?
2.) If so, are there laptops available in the world which one can buy that have completely FOSS hardware (like the OpenMoko phone)?
3.) If such a laptop exists, would any old Joe like myself be able to run a completely free OS? (Given that I am a GNU/Linux noob and know nothing about programming, compiling, etc.)
4.) Is there a list somewhere of "certified FREE hardware" laptops / desktops and where to buy them?
5.) Is the JISUS laptop (http://desktoplinux.com/news/NS3294112608.html) such a machine?
Thank you ever so much for taking the time to answer my questions! I am rather new to the issues at hand, have been searching around for a while for answers but can't find any...
On Fri, 2008-05-02 at 08:29 +0100, Robin C. M. Staple wrote:
1.) Is the only reason why completely free GNU/Linux distros like Gobuntu or gnewsense don't work as well because of a lack of FOSS drivers?
Principally yes, if by working well you mean enabling the hardware to work well. They also don't have a non-free repository that you can simply enable to access (patent- or copyright-) restricted packages, so it will also work less well as an mp3- or dvd-player to give an example.
2.) If so, are there laptops available in the world which one can buy that have completely FOSS hardware (like the OpenMoko phone)?
I believe the closest would be the XO Laptop from OLPC: http://laptop.org/ Richard Stallman has just started using it himself, since it is the only laptop that can run a Free BIOS: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/rms/can-we-rescue-olpc-from-windows It does however need a proprietary firmware to enable the internal wireless card, and I'm not sure how free/open the rest of the hardware specifications are.
There's also the OpenCores project, which applies much of the Free Software ethos to hardware: http://www.opencores.org/ I doubt they have any laptops ready though.
3.) If such a laptop exists, would any old Joe like myself be able to run a completely free OS? (Given that I am a GNU/Linux noob and know nothing about programming, compiling, etc.)
The choice of installation procedure and availability of drivers is up to the distro maker. I assume installing gNewsense or Gobuntu should be no different from installing Ubuntu and, if all necessary drivers are included, should work just as well.
There are also a few 100% Free Software distros (mostly European) that ignore software patents and thus include (GPL) software that would be regarded as non-free by Debian or Ubuntu. Dynebolic is a good example of this, built to run as a live-CD, featuring everything needed to consume, create and broadcast most media formats, and running impressively well on even modest hardware: http://dynebolic.org
4.) Is there a list somewhere of "certified FREE hardware" laptops / desktops and where to buy them?
The FSF has a modest list of recommended hardware at http://www.fsf.org/resources/hw but it is far from a complete listing of FS-enabled hardware. They also offer to build you a complete Free (desktop) system, including the Free BIOS, though they don't name any price or specifications.
5.) Is the JISUS laptop (http://desktoplinux.com/news/NS3294112608.html) such a machine?
I hadn't heard of that. Probably not, though. I'm not sure which wireless chip it uses, but even if it is among the few that doesn't require a proprietary firmware, I doubt the laptop is able to use a Free BIOS.
/Stian