@libreleah@mas.to
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

libreleah

@libreleah@mas.to

passionate nut who rants on irc and likes coreboot and openbsd. libreboot founder and lead developer (libreboot.org). bios on social media accounts are so asinine because you can't really say much that is meaningful. everyone has a different perception than you do. judge me on merit. every post by me reflects the opinion of my employer (also me). i don't know everything but i try to know enough - if i say something wrong, i want you to challenge me. they/them

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. Browse more on the original instance.

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

Been reading more Guardian articles today. Here's one: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/03/reality-check-is-keir-starmers-triple-lock-on-nuclear-weapons-anything-new

Let me ask:

Is it right that we spend £100billion or more on weapons that could only possibly slaughter millions of people simultaneously - use of which would probably lead to retaliation that in turn deletes (from existence) every human being currently alive in the UK.

Why not scrap it and cut taxes instead?

Save money and use it to not have the highest taxes in decades.

Bonus: and people won't get blown up.

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

We have more Dell Latitude ports under review for Libreboot. If anyone has Latitude E6220, E6320, E6330, E6230 please do:

Boot with linux kernel option at boot time: iomem=relaxed

Now download coreboot via git:

git clone https://review.coreboot.org/coreboot

in there, util/intelvbttool

go in there and type "make"

./intelvbttool -l -v data.vbt

as root, in that directory, do this intelvbttool command, send it to me: info@minifree.org

The VBT configures a few things and is needed for backlight control.

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

Update on GRUB issue reported earlier: it was caused by XHCI patches which I've since removed so there shouldn't be a problem for now.

The xhci patches work on newer machines but seem to cause problems on some older ones. Again see:

https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbmk/issues/216

Bug left open because I wish to see this fixed. However, I will modify lbmk to make GRUB multi-tree like coreboot is, so that the one with xhci can be used on select machines.

Something in the xhci driver is causing a double free. Fix TBD.

libreleah,
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

I've also added this section in the documentation:

https://libreboot.org/docs/linux/grub_hardening.html#seabios-first

One of the mitigations is that SeaBIOS is now the only primary payload, with GRUB now only as a secondary payload. This affects the hardening guide, because it relies on password protection in GRUB.

I modified the guide to tell the user how to ensure that SeaBIOS only loads GRUB, and how to disable the SeaBIOS menu so that nothing but GRUB runs.

EDIT: I also updated the Canoeboot version of it: https://canoeboot.org/docs/gnulinux/grub_hardening.html#seabios-first

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

i've added a warning to libreboot installation instructions:

https://libreboot.org/docs/install/#grub-payload-warning

here is the context. see link above.

in about 99% of cases, GRUB works just fine, but on some machines, a fatal bug is caused by a broken pointer during grub_free() or grub_realloc() (in GRUB's own kernel), and so far only on sandybridge-based dell latitudes has this been reported.

most users will be safe on GRUB. again: read the link.

this will be mitigated in the next release. and it's being investigated.

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

I sell Libreboot, and Libreboot accessories.

https://minifree.org/

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

14:48 <@leah> gonna go home tonight
14:48 <@leah> and work on libreboot
14:48 <@leah> that is a fact, not a threat

idk why i found it amusing but i did so posting it here. from just now

only tonight, because i'm working on minifree orders all weekend. not only am i the founder / lead developer of libreboot (free/opensource BIOS), i sell it pre-installed via this company:

https://minifree.org/

i'm doing a major libreboot build system audit. improving code quality / fixing bugs

libreleah,
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

@leah ( is a channel i run on libera irc, alongside - is the off-topic channel for , where i send all the trolls, and we generally just banter/shitpost)

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

I made another interesting change earlier:

libreboot change: https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbmk/commit/839ef680cd8f25650d8fb59a3e6fe6bf3f84786b

canoeboot change: https://codeberg.org/canoeboot/cbmk/commit/3e5db248dd3f730d1ddab61329bc52f125c23cd3

i regularly maintain sync between canoeboot and libreboot, ensuring that they have the same functionalities (with canoeboot excluding certain behaviours/code)

this change, on both projects, makes merging changes between them much easier, by reducing the number of merge conflicts

libreboot build system audit 5 is ongoing, and i'm keeping caoneboot in sync throughout.

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

https://canoeboot.org/news/gnu.html

The Canoeboot project provides free (libre) boot firmware based on coreboot, replacing proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware on specific Intel/AMD x86 and ARM based motherboards, including laptop and desktop computers. It initialises the hardware (e.g. memory controller, CPU, peripherals) and starts a bootloader for your operating system. GNU+Linux and BSD are well-supported. Help is available via #canoeboot on Libera IRC.

Should Canoeboot become GNU Canoeboot?

Discuss!

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

Fun fact: I now own libreboot.net

https://libreboot.net/

Nothing special really. It just redirects to libreboot.org, which is the official domain name. I bought it just so I can redirect it.

But those who know of my antics over the past few years will find this fact highly amusing. I saw today that it was now available, so I grabbed it.

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

I'm sitting here working on orders. But in the morning I always read news. I found this amazing:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/may/07/tories-reform-local-elections-rishi-sunak-culture-war

Finally, a fucking sane Conservative in the news. I'm a conservative myself, but I wholly oppose the current leadership of the party; it has been swayed this way or another by the extreme hard-right; the racists, the xenophobes, the shitstirrers - Susan Hall for instance (failed london mayor candidate) is a fucking nazi bitch.

All I want is sound money, sensible government.

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

I need a decent VPS host that specialises in #BSD, specifically
#OpenBSD based hosting. One that has a good track record for reliability, also good customer support, and general security practises.

I can google this, but I have a lot of BSD people following me, so I'm asking this here, because my followers will know better.

I'm moving all my self-hosted servers over to OpenBSD but some of it is intentionally outsourced, for a few reasons. If people can reply with suggestions that'd be super.

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

Libreboot 20240504 released! New stable release:

https://libreboot.org/news/libreboot20240504.html

Libreboot provides free/opensource boot firmware, replacing BIOS/UEFI, with many advanced features.

Highlights in the release:

  • Dell Latitude E5420 support added
  • S3 suspend/resume fixed on Dell Latitude laptops
  • LIBRE raminit now default, on Haswell machines (T440p/W541, 9020 SFF/MT)
  • Native USB 3.0 support in GRUB
  • FreeBSD and NetBSD support for dell-flash-unlock
  • More stable graphics card support on 9020 SFF/MT
libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

Just did my civic duty: I voted in today's local council elections (UK elections).

I backed the loser, if polls are to be believed, but that's OK.

Fun fact, I used to be a member of the UK Labour party, even ran for local elections in my local area; at the time, I was proud to beat the local liberal democrat in the ward I fought. 2018 local elections, Castle Point:

https://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n3476.pdf&ver=5773

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Castle_Point_Borough_Council_election

I don't support the Labour party anymore. My views have changed since then :)

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

Libreboot release soon. ETA May 2024; likely May 4th or May 5th. I'm in a crunch between now and then, patching up whatever I can - what's already there is essentially ready.

This is going to be a new stable release. The previous stable release was on 25 June 2023, and several testing releases have come out since.

Development has been at a more conservative pace since February 2024, because I said to myself on the day of the 20240225 release, that the next one would be stable. It will be so.

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

I need Libreboot tested on ThinkPad T60.

How to build:

https://libreboot.org/docs/build/

Build lbmk.git from revision a2f423535840382d72bfa1ae1e1cb5c06e4f8604 - see: https://browse.libreboot.org/lbmk.git/commit/?id=a2f423535840382d72bfa1ae1e1cb5c06e4f8604

How to download Libreboot from lbmk.git:

https://libreboot.org/git.html

Test it with a charged battery connected, with and without a PSU. Then with/without battery and without PSU.

Flash and test with GRUB payload. I need to know if the following bug still occurs:

https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbmk/issues/179

Report to me on IRC or reply.

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

I'm running a temporary discount sale on Libreboot X230 and T440p. The discount will last until around May 5th. See:

https://minifree.org/product/libreboot-t440p/

https://minifree.org/product/libreboot-x230/

These ThinkPads come with Libreboot preinstalled, replacing the BIOS with Free Software. Libreboot offers advanced security features such as LUKS2 support in flash (GRUB payload) and faster boot speeds.

Your choice of Debian Linux, other distro or a BSD with full driver support. I run the Libreboot project; sales to fund my work.

image/jpeg

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

I've once again greatly reduced the Libreboot 9020 price. Base price for SFF now £258.

I've done this by excluding certain upgrades by default; i7-4790k, noctua fans, 32GB RAM upgrades etc are now add-ons. Base spec now i5-4570, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD.

I've split SFF/MT into separate product pages. See:

https://minifree.org/product/libreboot-9020-sff/

https://minifree.org/product/libreboot-9020-mt/

This is a desktop machine with Libreboot pre-installed, replacing proprietary BIOS. Your choice of Debian Linux, other distro or a BSD system.

image/jpeg

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

Mate Kukri, author of the Dell OptiPlex 9020 port in coreboot, has recently been working on an exploit for OptiPlex 3050 Micro, a skylake machine.

He has successfully disabled the Intel Bootguard and ported coreboot, and is interested in porting the ThinkPad T470 next. He posted a video showing coreboot on the 3050:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32XtsvDjrk0

He's using SA-00086, a known bug in ME11 that allows own code execution. He's using it to disable the bootguard. WIP coreboot port: https://review.coreboot.org/c/coreboot/+/82053

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

Fun fact: countries have the right to retaliate when they are attacked by a foreign state or to otherwise defend themselves from attack.

People everywhere deserve the right to life, happiness and civil liberty. Being alive and healthy is a prerequisite to that.

Your government has the moral authority to provide the strongest possible deterrent to attack/invasion.

Ukraine, Palestine and Iran all have the right to respond to attacks on their sovereignty. But our media says the latter two don't.

libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

When I do a Dell 9020 with Libreboot, any variant, I replace every fan with quieter Noctua fans which are premium quality designed in Austria - by comparison, the stock Dell fans are cheap, loud Chinese design.

Dell uses a non-standard connector, electrically compatible with regular PWM standard.

Adapters are available, but add greatly to cost and cable length, so I chop the old cable and solder it. Double-insulated; each wire insulated then all together, with heatshrink.

Here are photos:

image/jpeg
image/jpeg
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libreleah, to random
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

I've madly reduced Libreboot 9020 prices:

https://minifree.org/product/libreboot-9020/

Intel i7-4790k, 32GB RAM, 1TB/2TB SSD. Choose Intel HD4600 / AMD Radeon RX6400 / RX 6600XT. GPU

Intel AX210 WiFi. Debian Linux, other distro or BSD of your choice.

Libreboot replaces proprietary BIOS/UEFI offering greater freedom; I lead the project and use sales to fund it.

Libreboot 9020 has PWM fan control now so fans are regulated. Runs much cooler without needing prior mods. Other costs cut, without reducing quality.

image/jpeg
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libreleah,
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

@whvholst @nemobis Yeah so, basically, whatever the total price is during checkout: times it by 1.2 and that's the pre-Brexit price.

The post-Brexit tax is the pre-Brexit tax multiplied by1.05 (matching the dutch vat. I assume dutch, your name is dutch and you said 21% which is dutch vat) plus €20.

So, 400 GBP -> pre-brexit tax was 80 GBP.

Now it's 84 GBP, plus that handling fee, makes it about 100 GBP. Convert that into EUR (at today's rate, multiple of 1.17) and it makes 115 to 125 EUR.

libreleah,
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

@whvholst @nemobis The EU did something unprecedented in its history, in response to Brexit: it made trading easier, for low value items:

That handling fee would be a problem if what you're buying is £20.

Anything not exceeding 150 EUR has this rule: non-EU merchants can(must) sign up to the IOSS scheme; they charge your country's VAT rate during checkout, and file VAT in only 1 EU country. Before, you had to register in every EU country.

I deal in higher value so you pay VAT at the border.

libreleah,
@libreleah@mas.to avatar

@whvholst @nemobis one day maybe they'll have another lightbulb moment and make that the case for all goods, regardless of value. Then I'd just register for VAT in some eastern european country (where costs are lower) and charge dutch, german, spanish, french VAT, you name it, at checkout.

But yeah, the current rules do add like 2-3 days delay in customs. But the way things work is pretty efficient. I only use good couriers, they do it all for you. You just pay VAT and it arrives, no problem.

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