Project Suggestion for an Open Machine (LP09)

Considering what FSF is doing, I'm surprised that no one has defined or demanded an open machine. It would simply combine the elements that FSF has produced along with the most likely hardware for a fully configured Open Machine. The first incarnation might consist of a bill of hardware materials along with a document that details steps to install software. Ideally, a coreboot BIOS would be incorporated on the best 64 bit board for the purpose. I am biased to AMD boards because they are more open.

It should be bootable from a removable hard drive. In that way, it would be easy to try a number of different operating systems by replacing the hard drive.

Using thorough documentation it could be built quickly by a knowledgeable person, or purchased ready to go from a specialized manufacturer. Such a machine could even be consumer friendly so that it does not take a great deal of time to get up and running. To my way of thinking, this is what is necessary for free software to be mainstreamed. Maybe FSF could make this a fund raiser by actually selling such a machine.

It needs to be a community effort because coreboot would be asked for a suggested mother board and an associated bios, other boards could be identified by consensus. An initial goal could be to have a working prototype by next year Associate meeting.

Anyone interested ?

• vogel@ct.metrocast.net
• juca@members.fsf.org
• pitanga@members.fsf.org

Possible Requirements

• CoreBoot BIOS
• Removable hard drive
• Hardware that does not require proprietary drivers
• No blobs
• 64 bit

Optional component

• an FPGA chip to support homebrew hardware development. Let´s make downloadable/shareable hardware designs!

Other devices for which an "open" design would be desirable

• Phone with open hardware (Freerunner?) - perhaps we should get a stable Free Software-only phone first.
• Pager
• Television (there's increasing embedding of tech in TVs)
• Toaster (just because)
• Embedded hardware in cars (?)