Merge pull request 'Simplify the README' (#269) from runxiyu/lbmk:readme-simplification into master

Reviewed-on: https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbmk/pulls/269
This commit is contained in:
Leah Rowe
2025-02-02 10:32:39 +00:00
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Libreboot Libreboot
========= =========
Find libreboot documentation at <https://libreboot.org/> Documentation: [libreboot.org](https://libreboot.org)\
Support: [\#libreboot](https://web.libera.chat/#libreboot) on
[Libera](https://libera.chat/) IRC
The `libreboot` project provides Libreboot provides
[libre](https://libreboot.org/freedom-status.html) *boot [libre](https://libreboot.org/freedom-status.html)
firmware* that initializes the hardware (e.g. memory controller, CPU, boot firmware on
peripherals) on specific Intel/AMD x86 and ARM targets, which [supported motherboards](https://libreboot.org/docs/install/#which-systems-are-supported-by-libreboot). It replaces proprietary vendor BIOS/UEFI implementations, by
then starts a bootloader for your operating system. Linux/BSD are * Using coreboot to initialize the hardware (e.g. memory controller, CPU, etc.) while
well-supported. It replaces proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware. Help is available minimizing unwanted functionality (e.g. backdoors such as the Intel Management Engine)
via [\#libreboot IRC](https://web.libera.chat/#libreboot) * ... which runs a payload such as SeaBIOS, GRUB, or U-Boot
on [Libera](https://libera.chat/) IRC. * ... which loads your operating system's boot loader (BSD and Linux-based
[systems](systems) are supported).
Why use Libreboot? Why use Libreboot, and what is coreboot?
================== ----------------------------------------
Why should you use *libreboot*? A lot of users who use libre operating systems still use proprietary boot
---------------------------- firmware, which often contain backdoors and bugs, hampering
[user freedom](https://writefreesoftware.org) and
[right to repair](https://www.eff.org/issues/right-to-repair).
Libreboot gives you freedoms that you otherwise can't get with most other [coreboot](https://coreboot.org) provides libre boot firmware by initializing
boot firmware. It's extremely powerful and configurable for many use cases. the hardware then running a payload. However, coreboot is notoriously difficult
to configure and install for most non-technical users, requiring detailed
technical knowledge of hardware.
You have rights. The right to privacy, freedom of thought, freedom of speech Libreboot solves this by being **a coreboot distribution** (in the same way
and the right to read. In this context, Libreboot gives you these rights. that Alpine Linux is a Linux distribution). It provides a fully automated build
Your freedom matters. system that downloads and compiles pre-configured ROM images for supported
[Right to repair](https://vid.puffyan.us/watch?v=Npd_xDuNi9k) matters. motherboards, so end-users could easily fetch images to flash onto their
Many people use proprietary (non-libre) devices.
boot firmware, even if they use [a libre OS](https://www.openbsd.org/).
Proprietary firmware often contains backdoors (more info on the FAQ), and it
and can be buggy. The libreboot project was founded in December 2013,
with the express purpose of making coreboot firmware accessible for
non-technical users.
The `libreboot` project uses [coreboot](https://www.coreboot.org/) for [hardware Libreboot also produces documentation aimed at non-technical users and
initialisation](https://doc.coreboot.org/getting_started/architecture.html). excellent user support via IRC.
Coreboot is notoriously difficult to install for most non-technical users; it
handles only basic initialization and jumps to a separate
[payload](https://doc.coreboot.org/payloads.html) program (e.g.
[GRUB](https://www.gnu.org/software/grub/),
[Tianocore](https://www.tianocore.org/)), which must also be configured.
*The libreboot software solves this problem*; it is a *coreboot distribution* with
an automated build system (named *lbmk*) that builds complete *ROM images*, for
more robust installation. Documentation is provided.
How does Libreboot differ from coreboot? Contribute
======================================== ----------
In the same way that *Debian* is a Linux distribution, `libreboot` is
a *coreboot distribution*. If you want to build a ROM image from scratch, you
otherwise have to perform expert-level configuration of coreboot, GRUB and
whatever other software you need, to prepare the ROM image. With *libreboot*,
you can literally download from Git or a source archive, and run `make`, and it
will build entire ROM images. An automated build system, named `lbmk`
(Libreboot MaKe), builds these ROM images automatically, without any user input
or intervention required. Configuration has already been performed in advance.
If you were to build regular coreboot, without using libreboot's automated
build system, it would require a lot more intervention and decent technical
knowledge to produce a working configuration.
Regular binary releases of `libreboot` provide these
ROM images pre-compiled, and you can simply install them, with no special
knowledge or skill except the ability to follow installation instructions
and run commands BSD/Linux.
Project goals
=============
- *Support as much hardware as possible!* Libreboot aims to eventually
have *maintainers* for every board supported by coreboot, at every
point in time.
- *Make coreboot easy to use*. Coreboot is notoriously difficult
to install, due to an overall lack of user-focused documentation
and support. Most people will simply give up before attempting to
install coreboot. Libreboot's automated build system and user-friendly
installation instructions solves this problem.
Libreboot attempts to bridge this divide by providing a build system
automating much of the coreboot image creation and customization.
Secondly, the project produces documentation aimed at non-technical users.
Thirdly, the project attempts to provide excellent user support via IRC.
Libreboot already comes with a payload (GRUB), flashprog and other
needed parts. Everything is fully integrated, in a way where most of
the complicated steps that are otherwise required, are instead done
for the user in advance.
You can download ROM images for your libreboot system and install
them without having to build anything from source. If, however, you are
interested in building your own image, the build system makes it relatively
easy to do so.
Not a coreboot fork!
--------------------
Libreboot is *not a fork of coreboot*. Every so often, the project
re-bases on the latest version of coreboot, with the number of custom
patches in use minimized. Tested, *stable* (static) releases are then provided
in Libreboot, based on specific coreboot revisions.
How to help
===========
You can check bugs listed on You can check bugs listed on
the [bug tracker](https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbmk/issues). the [bug tracker](https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbmk/issues).
If you spot a bug and have a fix, the website has instructions for how to send You may use Codeberg pull requests to send patches with bug fixes or other
patches, and you can also report it. Also, this entire website is improvements. This repository hosts the code for the main build system.
written in Markdown and hosted in a [separate The website lives in [a separate repository](https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbwww).
repository](https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbwww) where you can send patches.
Any and all development discussion and user support are all done on the IRC Development is also done on the IRC channel.
channel. More information is on <https://libreboot.org/contact.html>.
LICENSE FOR THIS README License for this README
======================= -----------------------
It's just a README file. This README file is released under the terms of the It's just a README file. It is released under
Creative Commons Zero license, version 1.0 of the license, which you can [Creative Commons Zero, version 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode.txt).
read here:
<https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode.txt>