zlacker

There is no chance that we own our computers unless we figure out how to setup chip manufacturing factories at the 10 million dollar price point.

Without commoditized hardware, big capital will surely be in control of software.

>>abdull+(OP)
We live in a world where the top chip makers are being shaken down by the US government to keep access to markets because embargoes and tariffs. And where software developers have to have a live feed of what every user is doing to Brussels or be arrested.

Too much capitalism isn't our problem.

>>noosph+13
Sounds like if US citizens hope for that, we can get it.

>>abdull+(OP)
I think there is also still room to legally require a common SW-layer with respective documentation to utilize features of underlying hardware (optional without the shipped OS on top, disconnecting the device from the shipped ecosystem).

This would also make sense in order to prevent e-waste and put this old hardware to better use.

It's crazy to think how much computing power is just added to a drawer or landfill every day, just because there is no reason for the vendor to allow you to repurpose it.

I would e.g. LOVE a "Browser on everything" OS which just provides a Browser OS for outdated hardware, but the only way this could work on scale would be if the device-vendor would be mandated to provide and document the lower layer...

>>noosph+13
> And where software developers have to have a live feed of what every user is doing to Brussels or be arrested.

Please elaborate, with sources.

>>rickde+n4
Likely referring to EU Chat Control: https://brusselssignal.eu/2025/08/eu-chat-control-law-is-a-s...

>>abdull+(OP)
I can buy a computer, disable secure boot, install linux and then do w/e I want.

Same can be true for phones?

>>ozgrak+26
You didn't write the code for the bios, nor could you.

There's always a degree to which the manufacturer has to.

>>tedk-4+e6
What about Coreboot/Libreboot?

https://www.coreboot.org/

https://libreboot.org/

>>conrad+65
So something that is not a thing yet, and is being actively campaigned against?

>>ozgrak+26
But I want" secure boot. It makes me* safer.

For the same reason I relock bootloader after flashing alternative Android flavour on my phone.

>>abdull+(OP)
This is something the folks in the Permacomputing space have been discussing on and off for years.

Maybe we can make chips at the level of a 386 but they would be freedom respecting.

Starting to sound like Stallman again.

>>harph+2a
Most member states are for it.

>>ozgrak+26
Sorry, no banking for you then.

>>jacque+Yn
No traditional banking at your parts? Actually I am informed those at your site can provide more services (more open) than the banks I have around now.

But here, no, only some bad players require a smartphone and an account to OS providers to make the bank account work.

>>mdp202+2p
I'm holding on to my rolling token generator like it is made of gold, they won't give me another one and force me to use their app. But the app requires a non-rooted phone or it will refuse to function. I've already asked them to give me a free phone just like they gave me a free token generator. So far no dice. Oh, and better still, for large transactions you are not allowed to use the phone app.

>>jacque+Hp
> I've already asked them to give me a free phone just like they gave me a free token generator

It's not a matter of free, it's a matter of "certified": they make you use third party devices, but if anything happens they may make it your fault on the legal side. If a device is part of the banking agreement, the device must come from the bank and the responsibility must rely entirely on the bank.

> app

In all of this: how can it be remotely possible to think that in order to get a critical service - accessing your money - one could be supposed to have a contract with some remote alien party (the "App Store")? Because I am guessing your bank does not directly give you the "app". Already this makes me wonder about how the population can be blind to unbelievable levels to the systemic insanity.

Some of them do not require any smartphone - but some of them require that you make a contract with an uncontrolled firm on a different continent to have a money deposit account. And the amount of people who will go "are you mental?!" in front of them are presumably (evidently) negligible.

>>mdp202+Ks
Good question, I am not able to answer it though. But you are right, it makes no sense at all.

>>harph+2a
Yes, we normally act when the vehicle speeding towards us is seen far away already.

>>fidelr+W8
Even with Coreboot on anything vaguely modern, there is a 'Management Engine' or 'Platform Security Processor' you can't practically control. On the better understood Intel versions, this is running a full MINIX 3 operating system and controls the network card in ways the BIOS and operating system root cannot monitor. It runs a significant amount of code; with hardware obfuscation that has not yet been broken.

>>SlowTa+Pc
https://github.com/x653/xv6-riscv-fpga is a fully open RISC-V core, using fully open tools written to tiny FPGA. It betters 386 performance, is practical for an individual to recreate, and it is almost inconceivable that the underlying hardware could have compromised this usage. If your security posture cares about ME et al. you also shouldn't be running any form of speculation, so 'modern' performance would be off the table even if you bought Nvidia and TSMC. I would more judge a concerted effort comparable to larger open source projects could design verifiable hardware for processes that it readily available to crowdfunded projects that are more efficient and performant then anything released in the previous millennium.

>>ZiiS+rw
You are right of course, but I consider that a hardware concern, not BIOS.

>>jacque+Yn
Pretty sure this would boost fintech/blockchain apps even more vs. using banks directly, if it ever happened.

Even now, I don't really use a bank app for 90% of my needs.