On 11/03/2013 02:19 PM, ron minnich wrote:
On Sun, Nov 3, 2013 at 2:47 PM, Alex mr.nuke.me@gmail.com wrote:
I'm sorry Ron, but you're just asking me to take your word for it. I can't do that. There's more secret code running on a Chromebook's firmware than there is free code. In fact, I would argue, most code where attack vectors could hide is secret. It's a foul's paradise.
I can't argue with you on that one.
The argument that should be made with chromebooks is that they have a significant portion of their firmware opensourced, and they are "more free" than comparable systems. It should be argued they are a step in the right direction, and although the current generation of Chromebooks will most likely never be completely free, using a Chromebook sends the message that we want more libre stuff.
Then, if the next generation is less blobby, this argument is believable and accurate. Keeping up this pace, ten generation in the future, we might actually see a completely libre system. In the end, a totalitarian system (most laptops) is much worse than an opressive system (Chromebooks). (sorry for the analogy)
Alex
I don't like the situation any more than you do, but the fact is, a blob free future is very unlikely unless people are willing to pay more money for it. And, so far, very few organizations (save BSI!) have been willing to put their money where their mouth is. Especially, sadly, the free software community: given a choice between better performance/lower cost and more freedom, they pick performance and cost every single time -- well, save for the few of us who care.
ron
-
Alex -
ron minnich