[Mageia-discuss] Stand up for your freedom to install free software - perhaps OT

[AL13N]

Op zondag 3 juni 2012 16:13:01 schreef Doug Laidlaw:
> On Sun, 3 Jun 2012 18:03:46 +1200
> 
> John <john at neodoc.biz> wrote:
> > I'm not sure if others have seen this:
> > 
> > <http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/secure-boot-vs-restricted-boot/statement>
> > 
> > John
> 
> The statement says that all new computers must have the Windows-only
> lock.  What about upgrades?  If I buy a computer from a Linux dealer
> and retrofit Windows 8, where do I stand?
> 
> I am staying with XP. The dealers still prefer XP over Win7, when
> they have a choice.  When I can no longer use that, Windows goes out the
> window.
> 
> Doug,
> Registered Linux user.

it means that if vendors will want to have the Win8 Certified Sticker, they 
will need to provided UEFI Secure Boot with only the windows key.

that means you can't simply buy a machine and put linux under it, without 
thinking.

Either, you will need to disable Secure Boot (maybe a jumper on mobo or in 
BIOS) or somehow add extra keys you need to build yourself for your own kernel 
and bootloader.

originally, Microsoft had required that this key be hardwired, so that it was 
impossible to disable it or add any key.

now it's still true for ARM devices, but not anymore for desktops. (after 
quite some upheaval Microsoft let it go for desktops)

Fedora made a statement that it'll buy subscription from the windows key in 
their installer.

it's a PITA, but also quite sad.