Over the last several years I have worked on projects with the aim of getting
code released and putting control over ones computing devices back into the
hands of the user. Working with others in the community I've managed to get
code released for wireless chipsets and funded efforts to produce freedom
respecting routers. These efforts have not been insignificant, but now we
have a chance to change the underlying dynamics of the computing industry
more significantly.
Today computers are designed around proprietary bits intended to be thrown
away when the next generation of devices is out and upgrading and repairing
them is nearly impossible. Fortunately it doesn't have to be that way.
Working with Luke Leighton we've managed to develop a solution to this
problem. By designing computers in the form of a simple freedom-conscious
user-upgradable computer card we no longer have to be as dependant on the
output and decisions of large corporations that don't have our - the users -
interests in mind. We can swap out CPUs and components easily for ones that
will respect user's freedoms. In other words we don't need to be dependant on
Intel, AMD, Broadcom, and others. When one doesn't cooperate we'll more
easily be able to move to another.
What's revolutionary about this new standard is that once you have a
'computer card' that computer can be used in any device compliant with the
standard. That means you can swap out an older 'computer card' for a newer
one when it's no longer up to the task of handling your desktop computing
needs without replacing the rest of the computer. Then you can sell that
card, or use it in another type of device compliant with the standard, such
as say a router, tablet, or maybe an entertainment device. Wouldn't it be
nice if you could super charge your $50 USD router by reusing your 'computer
card' from last year? Now you have a $200 router for little more than $65.
The prototype Libre Tea Computer Card has been reviewed by the Free Software
Foundation and will get RYF certification when it ships. There are no
blockers. The card utilizes a dual-core A20 CPU with 8GB of internal flash
and 2GB of ram. We have the sources for the main controller chip as well (ie
screen, keyboard, LCD touchpad, etc). Future computer cards will be much
faster, contain more memory, and flash. However we do need to see this Crowd
Funding campaign succeed before these efforts can continue.
I've written a bit about the backdoors and security issues in Intel and AMD
CPUs on our blog here:
https://www.thinkpenguin.com/blog
You can access the Crowd Funding page directly here:
https://www.crowdsupply.com/eoma68
If you want to help promote it click the link below and up-vote it on
Slashdot:
https://slashdot.org/submission/6035171/eoma68-modular-eco-computing-project-launches-on-crowd-supply
Just click on the "+" button at the top. This will increase the likelihood of
it hitting Slashdot.
I'm extremely busy so I may or may not come back and respond to
questions/messages unless people ask me to. To ask just click on my user name
and send me a message that way. Then I'll make a point to revisit this
thread.
