Can we stop restricted boot?

[bicol_willem]

Some seems trying hard:

http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/secure-boot-vs-restricted-boot/2012-appeal

[zerocool]

http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/secure-boot-vs-restricted-boot/statement/

Our campaign to stop Restricted Boot hit a big milestone this month. We've surpassed 40,000 signers on our pledge. That's more than 40,000 people -- including you -- and 50 organizations who have committed not to purchase or recommend computers that strip users of their freedom to install the free operating system of their choice.

That freedom came under increasing assault this year, as Microsoft released a slew of new devices designed to run Windows 8 and only Windows 8. In the new year, we will release new information about Restricted Boot and amplify your voices of protest. To do that, we need your continued support. Can you donate $50 to help us raise the profile of our campaign against Restricted Boot in 2013?

In January, we'll release an updated white paper with new information about how Secure Boot is being implemented. We aim to take the pledge to the next level as well, building support and awareness until our numbers are 50,000 and counting. We'll also make it easier for people to make informed decisions when purchasing new computers by creating new resources similar to our 2012 Giving Guide. We'll make these resources available online, of course, but we'll also take them out into the streets.

To take the Secure Boot campaign to the next level, we need your continued support. Please renew your membership to the Free Software Foundation today, or consider making a one-time donation of $50 to keep us going in 2013.

Secure Boot raises many issues for protecting user freedom, promoting free software ideals, and encouraging free software adoption. We make every dollar you give part of our comprehensive approach to the advancement of free software. The Free Software Foundation is the only organization that combines support for free software development, worldwide education and outreach efforts, software licensing and compliance, and advocacy in a holistic strategy to stop Restricted Boot. Here's what your support will help us accomplish in 2013:

    We will continue to build public support around our statement. When further actions need to be taken to stand up for this freedom as Secure Boot and Restricted Boot are rolled out, we will call upon this base of support.

    We will fight Microsoft's attempt at enforcing Restricted Boot on ARM devices like smartphones and tablets. Like any other computer, users must be able to install free software operating systems on these devices. We will monitor Microsoft's behavior to make sure they do not deceive the public again by expanding these restrictions to other kinds of systems.

    We will work with (and when necessary, pressure) manufacturers and distributors to make sure that users can change all of the software running on their machine, including the boot firmware itself.

    We will continue to work with companies like Lemote, Freedom Included, ZaReason, ThinkPenguin, Los Alamos Computers, Garlach44, and InaTux to make computers available that are preinstalled with fully free GNU/Linux distributions.

    We will help provide information about which computers and components are most compatible with free software, including making people aware of which machines have Restricted Boot.

Microsoft and the other companies driving restricted boot must be challenged. The only way to counter their billions of dollars in influence is with the power of your voices and your generosity. We need to raise $350,000 by January 31st to help us amplify your voices in 2013. Please, donate today to help us turn up the volume.

Sincerely,

The Free Software Foundation team

PS. Please help us amplify this email by sharing it with your networks: http://u.fsf.org/blastit

[Linux-Blue]

I hope so. I plan to buy a desktop that has PCLinuxOS on it by default, mostly because of this. I refuse to use any Windows OS, and won't spend a penny on ANY PC that won't allow me to use Linux.

[bicol_willem]

I hope so. I plan to buy a desktop that has PCLinuxOS on it by default, mostly because of this. I refuse to use any Windows OS, and won't spend as penny on ANY PC that won't allow me to use Linux.

So, if we go shopping we got to bring a bootable Linux media for testing. 

[Just17]

I hope so. I plan to buy a desktop that has PCLinuxOS on it by default, mostly because of this. I refuse to use any Windows OS, and won't spend as penny on ANY PC that won't allow me to use Linux.

So, if we go shopping we got to bring a bootable Linux media for testing. 

Why not?   Like test driving a car before purchase 

[Linux-Blue]

Makes sense to me

[Crow]

I hope so. I plan to buy a desktop that has PCLinuxOS on it by default, mostly because of this. I refuse to use any Windows OS, and won't spend as penny on ANY PC that won't allow me to use Linux.

So, if we go shopping we got to bring a bootable Linux media for testing. 

I have tested the last laptops I bought (2) that way and plan to do the same now that my wife needs a new one.

I'd just put an SSD in my 6 years old laptop and hope that will give it a couple more years working every day 8:00 to 6:00 but when the time comes the machine will have to run Linux.

In USA you have options, here I don't know about companies that work that market segment, and the keyboard is a problem when you try to import a computer, no "ñ" or ' over vowels.

[YouCanToo]

I hope so. I plan to buy a desktop that has PCLinuxOS on it by default, mostly because of this. I refuse to use any Windows OS, and won't spend as penny on ANY PC that won't allow me to use Linux.

So, if we go shopping we got to bring a bootable Linux media for testing. 

Most places will not let you bring in outside software and let you boot/run it on their machines.

[YouCanToo]

I hope so. I plan to buy a desktop that has PCLinuxOS on it by default, mostly because of this. I refuse to use any Windows OS, and won't spend as penny on ANY PC that won't allow me to use Linux.

So, if we go shopping we got to bring a bootable Linux media for testing. 

Why not?   Like test driving a car before purchase 

Stop and think about the "Why Not" for a minute and I will bet you can figure out why they normally don't.

[Linux-Blue]

"..........because it's made of wood?"   (Monty Python Holy Grail)

"VIRUS!"
"No, it's an anti-virus software", virus being Windows, anti virus software being Linux.

[Crow]

I hope so. I plan to buy a desktop that has PCLinuxOS on it by default, mostly because of this. I refuse to use any Windows OS, and won't spend as penny on ANY PC that won't allow me to use Linux.

So, if we go shopping we got to bring a bootable Linux media for testing. 

Why not?   Like test driving a car before purchase 

Stop and think about the "Why Not" for a minute and I will bet you can figure out why they normally don't.

YouCanToo most stores have computers for you to try, I look for a machine I like and then ask for an opportunity to try "my stuff" on it telling that I'm not playing and have the intention to buy but I want to know if it is what I need. Usually they stay with me until I boot Linux, check if recognizes all and turn off the computer, I ask them later to boot it in Windows and see that there is no harm done.

I've done it in the local Sam's, Office Depot and several other places, usually "state of the art" computers fail to comply because some devices are not recognized or doesn't work fine.

[Just17]

I hope so. I plan to buy a desktop that has PCLinuxOS on it by default, mostly because of this. I refuse to use any Windows OS, and won't spend as penny on ANY PC that won't allow me to use Linux.

So, if we go shopping we got to bring a bootable Linux media for testing. 

Most places will not let you bring in outside software and let you boot/run it on their machines.

Simple .....  leave and go elsewhere!

If a car sales outlet will not give me a test drive I take my business elsewhere .....  same applies to PC purchase.

[mellon]

You need to find a supplier who accepts the condition that the PC runs PCLinuxOs before it is bought. 

I bought my last PC at GooiPC's in the Netherlands. This was in 2011. They build good and quiet PC's with a special focus on audio  I bought a customized PC with the condition that it would run PCLinuxOs and that the customized Prodigy sound card would work. I gave them the link to the .iso and they created themselves a  Live CD; tested it and confirmed that all would run fine. Then they got the order.  Prices are above those in retail, but the quality is excellent. 

On 22-10-2012 they announced that all their PC's would be shipped with win8 but that it would still be possible to have PC's shipped with Win7 or Linux.  It may be quite a while before I need a new desktop, but I would go the same route.  Gives me no guarantee though that at that moment (say 8 years from now)  the supplier will still be able to deliver hardware enabling me to run PCLinuxOS.  Have to deal with the issue then.

For a laptop the story will be different. (They may get extinct and replaced by tablets  )

Can we stop restricted boot? Well, that depends probably on how deprived-of-choice-monopolistic a product of a OS manufacturer gets and if such a monopolistic market position is considered acceptable.  So it may well be a question politicians have to deal with (soon).  I mean, if the user must have the freedom of choice which browser he may run, then should the same not apply to any other piece of software or the OS itself?.  So my advice to FSF would be; perhaps it would be wise starting your lobby in the EU.

Mellon