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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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What is currently the best way to use linux-libre? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 2 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

13 comments fedilink hide all child comments

If the distribution does not have it by default, please include the instructions to use it on the system.

Note: I can't compile the libre kernel from the source.

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[–] refalo 4 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I would argue they're not safe to use because they block security updates like CPU microcode in the name of absolute freedom.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Not sure why you mentioned this. At least on Arc, or any distro based on it like Artix, the ucode per CPU is offered as a separate package:

% pacman -Ss ucode
system/amd-ucode 20241111.b5885ec5-1
    Microcode update image for AMD CPUs
world/intel-ucode 20241112-1 [installed]
    Microcode update files for Intel CPUs
world/iucode-tool 2.3.1-5
    Tool to manipulate Intel
galaxy/amd-ucode-xz 20230625.ee91452d-4
    Microcode update image for AMD CPUs
extra/intel-ucode 20241112-1 [installed]
    Microcode update files for Intel CPUs
extra/iucode-tool 2.3.1-5
    Tool to manipulate Intel

If your distro doesn't help with ucode packages, you can ultimately download it from intel/amd/whatever. And the same applies for the hardware firmware in general.

So it's true that some hardware won't properly work out of the box by using libre-linux, but nothing prevents you from getting the required firmware from other packages or sources. Granted that doesn't make things easier. And granted that might defeat the purpose of using linux-libre, but you might at least only add only strictly required binary blobs for your current hardware.

[–] refalo 2 points 2 days ago

real linux-libre distros do not offer microcode packages because they are non-free

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

That's definitely a factor to consider, but running binary blobs that you don't have the source for is also a risk. It comes down to what threat vectors you think are important and what risks you're willing to take.