[dschuetz]

Libreboot is making a strong case for using open firmware in systems, yet it supports only a limited set of mostly outdated system boards. Isn't that a sign that it failed? After so many years?

Don't get me wrong, I definitely support the idea of open firmware and I would gladly adopt libreboot and replace any BIOS firmware on all of my systems. But, not a single system (Intel ME in all of them) is supported. I could donate some of my systems, and money, but how would that help? 20 years of efforts (including the efforts of coreboot) don't seem to have generated any adoption rate. Or is there some info I didn't get?

[stonogo]

In order for libreboot or coreboot to support a system, that system must be almost entirely reverse engineered. As Intel shoved more and more functionality into ME, they also ramped up how aggressively they protected those parts of the system. There is significant crypto involved at this point, and Intel considers almost every component a trade secret to be fiercely protected. It's almost impossible to get access to this information, even under NDA, even as a hardware manufacturer (i.e. system OEMs).

It's not for lack of trying; the lack of adoption is because Intel is actively hostile to efforts like these and they hold all the cards.

[cmeacham98]

> Or is there some info I didn't get?

You did read the linked article about how the Intel ME essentially makes an open firmware impossible unless/until Intel decides to help us out, right?

[akiselev]

Did ARM fail because there are still billions of 8052 around? Did 8052 fail because there are now billions of ARM devices?

[neilwilson]

The problem is that the solution is political, not commercial. In terms of political process the "just leave it to us, we'll look after you" argument is winning.

[pmlnr]

You didn't read the reasoning linked, did you?