27 Jul
2010
27 Jul
'10
2:15 p.m.
Mine started
out as a challenge. As is well-known, I am forever moaning
about lack of real service data -- schematics and the like -- for
computer equipmetn. So, about 15 years ago I was set a challenge -- to
make a machine capable of running linux but which was 100% docuemtented
(not necessarily 'open' -- the scheamtics could be copyrighted, etc, but
they had to be avaialble). I had to be able to get full schematics and
source listings of all software involved (that included the ROM BIOS
needed to boot linux -- the linux sources took care of that requirement
for the OS).
I didn;t maanage it -- because I couldn't get a scheamtic of the hard
disk. But that was the only part I couldn't get. The guy swho set the
challenge acknowledged that I'd certainly met the spirit of the
requirements :-).
I am not so much impressed as awed. Haver you considered getting one of those Chinese
Godson2-powered
(MIPS-compatible) Linux laptops? It's what Richard Stallman uses now.
All open-source: the CPU, hardware, firmware & all software is Free
and open source.
http://www.osnews.com/print/21530/The_Loongson-2_MIPS_Lemote_Yeeloong_Netbo=
ok
Product page:
http://www.lemote.com/en/products/Notebook/2010/0310/112.html
I've never considered one for the simple reason that I've never heard of
it until now. I will take a serious look.
I think they are generally regarded as *the* most open
modern computer
in the world, but I don't know if they'd be Duell-compatible.
That I will determine when I've read more about it :-)
-tony