Re: [Trisquel-users] Purism Librem Laptops Completely Disable the Intel ME!!!
>You are speaking about the intel Boot guard I speak about, you do not have the source code. You cannot install your own software, because you cannot sign the software, because you do not have the key.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Purism Librem Laptops Completely Disable the Intel ME!!!
This is true, but Think Penguin also doesn't market itself as selling freedom-respecting hardware. It just markets itself as selling hardware that works with libre GNU/Linux distros out-of-the-box. Only products which have been RYF-certified are labeled as freedom-friendly.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Purism Librem Laptops Completely Disable the Intel ME!!!
I don't even like the fact that they're calling this "disabling" the ME. That term suggests that it's not being run, when it absolutely is; it's just being run less.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Purism Librem Laptops Completely Disable the Intel ME!!!
This is an excellent post, but ThinkPenguin does not go as far out of its way to caution customers as Technoethical does. A relevant point of comparison would be Technoethical's up-front and proactive discussion of the limitations of its smartphones, including from a freedom perspective, while ThinkPenguin does not mention that its PCs use the default manufacturer-supplied BIOS.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Purism Librem Laptops Completely Disable the Intel ME!!!
I think the page you link to is a good example of why Purism comes across as
less-than-honest. While they avoid explicitly taking credit for disabling the
ME, they phrase everything so that if you aren't paying very close attention
you'll interpret it that way.
For example, your initial post indicates that the Purism article led you to
believe that this is a new accomplishment and that Purism is responsible for
it. When ivanB1975 pointed out that this is not true, you acknowledged that
he was correct but apparently did not feel lied to by the article, perhaps
because it avoided making any explicit claims about the issue.
As far as I know Purism hasn't actually lied about anything, in which case
you are correct that they are not literal frauds. However, they use
misleading language so consistently that it is certainly intentional, and the
tactic seems to have worked here.
Compare that to the language Technoethical uses here.
"Technoethical S3 smartphones are refurbished Samsung Galaxy S3's
pre-installed with the 100% free operating system Replicant. Please note that
while the main processor is running only free software, the modem processor
is running a Samsung nonfree system."
They state exactly what they are selling, appropriately credit Replicant for
their work, and then immediately draw attention to the nonfree modem. They
then go on to disclose the other limitations of the product, with phrases
like "read-only nonfree boot rom" and "nonfree bootloader" in bold so the
reader won't miss them. When they describe research, they acknowledge who was
behind it ("In 2014, Replicant developers have found..."). It isn't until the
fourth paragraph, after they are certain that the reader has been adequately
informed, that they begin to actually try to advertise the product. In doing
so they credit Replicant for all features for which they are responsible,
rather than implying that these features are unique to Technoethical's
products. After that, they let the specifications speak for themselves so
that the reader can decide for themselves whether the product is what they
want.
Companies like Technoethical, Minifree, and ThinkPenguin are of course
businesses that want you to buy from them, but they consistently prioritize
accurately informing potential customers. Purism does the opposite. they
prioritize creating as positive an image of themselves and their products as
possible, and only disclose information to the contrary when they absolutely
have to, and in as little detail as possible.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Purism Librem Laptops Completely Disable the Intel ME!!!
yep, I think the same. They are really doing some work
Re: [Trisquel-users] Purism Librem Laptops Completely Disable the Intel ME!!!
I never said that Purism did this work all by themselves; I merely bring it up, because it demonstrates their commitment to free software, making it harder to believe that they are some kind of fraud (which a lot of people on this forum think is the case).
Re: [Trisquel-users] Purism Librem Laptops Completely Disable the Intel ME!!!
Not totally correct. You are speaking about the intel Boot guard that is not enabled on all laptop. If it is enabled me_cleaner doesn't work. Check here please: https://github.com/corna/me_cleaner/wiki/Intel-Boot-Guard So if you are able to use the me_cleaner script means that there is no intel Boot guard. Regarding the phrase: "The intel cpus will only work, if the software is signed by an encryption key only intel has. That is why you cannot select what cpu software to install." I really don't get it...
Re: [Trisquel-users] Purism Librem Laptops Completely Disable the Intel ME!!!
The only credit I would give to Purism company is the fact that they are investing on this topic. They ported their hardware to coreboot. This requires some work as I am finding out. Not so easy as disabling intel ME.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Purism Librem Laptops Completely Disable the Intel ME!!!
People on libreboot's irc says differently. Libre software requires you have all the source code. You do not. The intel cpus will only work, if the software is signed by an encryption key only intel has. That is why you cannot select what cpu software to install.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Purism Librem Laptops Completely Disable the Intel ME!!!
Mhmm This is already done by many here check here please: https://github.com/corna/me_cleaner/issues/3 All these people did already this. The developer that achieved this is Nicola Corna. Credit to him. I also disabled intel ME. If you check here: https://puri.sm/posts/deep-dive-into-intel-me-disablement/ They use the script of Corna.
Re: [Trisquel-users] Purism Librem Laptops Completely Disable the Intel ME!!!
Here a very good guide on how to do this: https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Sakaki%27s_EFI_Install_Guide/Disabling_the_Intel_Management_Engine
[Trisquel-users] Purism Librem Laptops Completely Disable the Intel ME!!!
https://puri.sm/posts/purism-librem-laptops-completely-disable-intel-management-engine/ This is a huge step for software freedom!
