1 Topic by Allen123456hello

  • Allen123456hello
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  • Registered: 2026-01-17
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Topic: About architectures: is x86 the only choice?

X86 is not a libre-friendly standard. Recent i686/x86_64 CPUs mostly have nonfree firmware like Intel IME.

LoongArch is an alternative choice to x86. It is a clean, libre-friendly RISC architecture with good performance.

It has no nonfree firmware shipped by the CPU by default, and the official PMON and UEFI are both libre.

2 Reply by throgh

  • throgh
  • throgh
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Re: About architectures: is x86 the only choice?

Do you relate to Hyperbola? If so: We do not offer any other architecture as we do not have neither the resources (money included) nor the people and help doing so. It is impossible to manage many architectures and unrealistic as small system-project. Besides: There is no real libre CPU-architecture and always some kind of cave-eat to accept. So x86-architecture is the best to stick on as there are Coreboot and derivates, further firmware-projects. In the end there is always some kind of an issue. But there is also a formula: The newer it gets the more problematic it will be.

We can surely debate on and off, but searching endless for the "most libre hardware" is not helping anyone further when the software is that much of problematic already and free software have many issues and foul compromises already.

Human being in favor with clear principles and so also for freedom in soft- and hardware!

Certainly anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices: For a life of every being full with peace and kindness, including diversity and freedom. Capitalism is destroying our minds, the planet itself and the universe in the end!