Re: How free is Debian
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Hi,
On 8/8/19 2:27 pm, Shahryar Afifi wrote:
> Very well said. If debian free is not using amd64 microcode, so
> what kernel module runs my cpu as 64bit?
Here's part of the problem.....
The CPU has it's own microcode, when you buy it; the motherboard
manufacturer may or may not update the BIOS and if they do, then they
may or may not provide an update to the microcode.
Now, you already have microcode, one way or another, using non-free to
get an update to the microcode is the best you can do as you,
theoretically know you can trust the source of the blob (as much as
you trust Debian AND Intel of course.
You can download microcode directly from Intel, it won't stop it being
a binary blob though.
If you really need more TOTALLY FREE, then consider RISC-V now or in
the future; their may be other viable alternatives, but something will
always get you.... like for instance the blob of firmware with your
mouse or your monitor, even your keyboard. And yes there are open
source keyboards, but I'm not sure about other components. Heck, even
your HDD (of any type) has it's own firmware blobs, some of which can
only be sent to the device and never read back.
So, I guess, totally free really means, give up on electronic gear
altogether.
Cheers
A.
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