I am all for free software. I am just getting used to it. So far, so good. I
am liking it a lot.
Then, this morning, I learned about DASH, which apparently dashes to pieces
the privacy and the control I thought I could have over my own computer.
If like me, you were not aware of DASH, check out the link below and then ask
yourself if it is not time to create a new organization that exclusively
supports and promotes free hardware--if for no other reason than to protect
free software.
(Or is there such an organization already? If so, please point me to it. I'll
get my wallet out. If not, let's do what we can to start one today.)
This: http://dmtf.org/standards/dash sounds terrible. What good is free
software when it is housed in that devilish architecture?
If hardware issues such as these are not addressed, the value of free
software is diminished, perhaps destroyed.
DASH -- NEW FEATURE / BENEFIT (regardless of OS)
KVM (Keyboard, Video and Mouse) and text console redirection support -
Provides the capability to manage KVM and text console redirections provided
by the system.
USB and media redirection support - Provides the capability to manage USB and
media redirections provided by the system.
BIOS (Basic Input Output System) Management - Provides the capability to
remotely change BIOS settings.
NIC (Network Interface Card) Management - Provides management of MAC and IP
addresses, DNS and DHCP configuration. Adds the capability to represent and
manage a network port that provides a LAN interface and its associated
controller.
Operating System Status - Enables representation of OS name/version and OS
status.
Opaque Data Management (offline mailbox) - Enables manageability of data
storage that can be used by management applications in band and out of band.
Software Update - Provides management interfaces for updating firmware and
software.
Battery Management - Provides the capability to represent and manage
batteries.
--
I would like to advocate at least an "off" switch or the ability to for sure
lock out those capabilities. However given the corporate and governmental
lies, gag orders and what not, it is not possible to trust an off switch;
that there isn't a box within a box, a tiny web server buried deep within the
hardware UNLESS there is an organization, open and peer-reviewed, which can
be trusted to build a clean hardware, worthy of free software.
I am not a programmer and know very little about hardware architecture, but I
definitely know ONE THING, there must be an alternative to vPro and DASH and
anything else that is similar to it.
There must be an organization that promotes and supports free hardware--even
to the point of creating it.
The time is right for this. The money will come, somehow. The mood I see is
one of distrust of both corporations and governments. Many people are ripe
for an alternative. What can we do? Have you had enough? Do you want to help,
somehow? I will help where I can because the current outlook is dismal.
