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No, I don't think it will. I hate this trend of pretending that our relative freedom on PCs has anything to do with the platform. Our freedom on UEFI Secure Boot PCs was hard fought and could be taken away at Microsoft's whim*. They literally hold the keys.

Remember the drama about whether Linux would be allowed to run under Secure Boot at all? That was last decade's reminder about hardware freedom and it had nothing to do with a new ISA. Thankfully Microsoft graciously decided that all Windows 8 logo hardware should allow users to load their own keys, but there's nothing intrinsic about the PC platform that forced them to make that decision, and nothing forcing them to keep it.

* This Ars article seems to say it's already been taken away. I'm trying to confirm Microsoft's current UEFI requirements in their docs, but I can't find them. https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/03/windo...




Yes, I do.

There is something intrinsic to the PC: expectations.

The PC comes from a time where we got schematics, could build our own I/O cards...

None of that happened on mobile, and most ARM devices. Maybe the Acorn Archimedes...

And what I meant is ARM will highlight the LACK of hardware freedom. Maybe we agree here and got snagged on words?


Also, I am curious about your findings Re: ARS Article, which I need to read.

Frankly, I am learning how to build more things. Probably will need to.


To be honest I don't know if it came to pass or not. I'm still trying to find more info on what the current Windows logo requirements for Secure Boot on x86 actually are.


I will look too. Ask around. I am a ways away from this stuff right at a time I wish I were much closer.


The core point you made is what counts.

They do hold the keys. That is the unacceptable part.


> They do hold the keys. That is the unacceptable part.

Exactly. The issue isn't the TPM itself, such a device could even empower us. The issue is who holds the keys. Those with the keys own the machine.

I started discussion about that in this thread:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28978028




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