[LinuxBIOS] linuxbios support for thinkpads?

[Peter Stuge]

On Thu, Sep 20, 2007 at 06:18:28PM -0400, Robinson Tryon wrote:
> > > > Would writing to Intel (if only to be counted as one more
> > > > data point) help at all?
> >
> > No.
> 
> I just ran across an FSF web page in support of LinuxBIOS, and on
> that page the FSF suggests writing directly to Intel:
> 
> http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/supportlinuxbios.html
> "Send e-mail to Intel, asking them to cooperate with a fully free
> BIOS. Also send them a snail mail letter at:
> Intel Corporation
> 2200 Mission College Blvd.
> Santa Clara, CA 95052
> USA"
> 
> If it's the opinion of the LinuxBIOS project that writing to Intel
> isn't helpful, what else can I and other persons do to put pressure
> on Intel (and like companies) to get them to release specs on their
> laptop chipsets and embedded controllers?

Call me cynical but I doubt individuals can make a difference here.
I suppose if there was a cut of, say, 50% in their product sales
they might re-assess the situation, but again I don't think that
kind of organization, marketing and education is feasible.


> If AMD is being much more supportive of the LinuxBIOS project than
> Intel, what about approaching them? If I'm not mistaken, there are
> a couple of AMD employees on this mailing list who are (were?)
> actively engaged in getting LinuxBIOS to work with various AMD
> chipsets...

Yes, AMD supports LinuxBIOS as one of the boot software options on
their systems. People at AMD work with LB. We think it is great of
course! :)

I'm not sure I understand what we'd approach them about. Every single
piece of hardware from AMD isn't supported yet, but I believe that
will come with time. They do make a few chips. :)


//Peter