DOS ain't dead

free/libre in GNU/Linux (hardware and software) (Announce)

posted by Rugxulo , Usono, 23.10.2020, 17:32

Not counting this Dell Chromebook (Linux-based, obviously), there are several full GNU/Linux laptops that look intriguing (e.g. StarLabs or System76's Lemur Pro). GNU would recommend an older refurbished one (Respects Your Freedom). Those usually come with an ultra-free (Linux-libre) distro like Trisquel, which just had its 9.0 release (loosely based upon Ubuntu LTS). FYI, it optionally has a 7.1 GB source DVD download. Funnily enough, they have several editions, including a very lean, cmdline "net install" .iso (only 42 MB). Trisquel still (also) supports 32-bit unlike Ubuntu (and Lubuntu, which already dropped i386 but is still barely supporting it for another year for 18.04.5).

Modern computers all have problematic issues (Intel ME or AMD PSP), binary blobs, microcode, firmware, closed BIOS, or graphics or network cards (especially WiFi) that aren't well supported (fully, if at all). It's apparently very hard to get a 100% Free/libre machine. (Apparently AMD graphics are poorly supported for totally Free/libre systems.)

A fully Free/libre Linux distribution cannot include any proprietary software nor link to any directly. While my laptop can't use it with WiFi, I did successfully boot Trisquel "live" atop USB jump drive on my wired desktop. The Lite version had less software (Midori and AbiWord), but it seemed to work. I sent Eric Auer an email from it. You can also install extra software like NASM or DOSBox or Regina Rexx. The main full (MATE) version has Firefox (rebranded) and LibreOffice. Surprising to me, it didn't seem to include GNU Emacs (like gNewSense) but instead VIM (console only). It does also have support for .MP3 (unpatented nowadays), simple graphics files (GIF, PCX, etc.), and can read PDFs. I have no idea of the minimum RAM specs or cpu specs, but it's probably typical.

I know that's not saying much. Surely you have your reasons for using modern Windows. It's not easy to switch, and you knew most of this already. Just FYI, there are alternatives, even if imperfect. I almost wish we had a Chromebook (similar device) for FreeDOS. (There is "beta" Linux cmdline support on a Chromebook via QEMU/KVM with Debian, but I don't think it allows other OS images, sadly.)

Complete thread:

• MS sources leak - RayeR, 30.09.2020, 02:14 (Announce)
  • MS sources leak - glennmcc, 30.09.2020, 06:20
  • MS sources leak - marcov, 30.09.2020, 15:22
    • MS sources leak - glennmcc, 30.09.2020, 20:46
      • MS sources leak - marcov, 30.09.2020, 21:28
      • MS sources leak - RayeR, 02.10.2020, 01:56
        • free/libre in GNU/Linux (hardware and software) - Rugxulo, 23.10.2020, 17:32
          • free/libre in GNU/Linux (hardware and software) - RayeR, 23.10.2020, 22:41
  • just use Linux! - Rugxulo, 01.10.2020, 00:57