GNU Linux-Libre 6.13 Kernel Released for Software Freedom Lovers
Based on the just-released Linux 6.13 kernel series, the GNU Linux-libre 6.13 kernel is here to clean up six new drivers, including rtw8812a, rtw8821a, bmi270, aw88081, ntp8835, and ntp8918, as well as to clean up assorted blob names in new and updated devicetree (.dts) files that are either requested or loaded.
This release also updates deblobbing for the wilc1000, rt1320, sh4-siu, ivpu, btnxpuart, adreno, r8169, and x86 touchscreen drivers, and removes the logic to clean up for the rtl8192e, rtl8712, vt6656, and ti-st drivers as they’ve been removed upstream.
Update (by Roy)
The mailing list:
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GNU Linux-libre 6.13-gnu
Hello, free world,
Habemus GNUum Linux-librem 6.13-gnuum!
*raises blue wings*
(Yeah, we do Latin in Latin America! Not very well, but we try ;-)
*yellow smile*
I'm Freedo, the light-blue and light-humored spokespenguin for the GNU Linux-libre project, and I'm here to let you know that the sources, scripts and cleanup logs for this release are available at:
git://linux-libre.fsfla.org/releases.git/ tags {scripts,sources,logs}/v6.13-gnu
and:
- https://www.fsfla.org/selibre/linux-libre/download/releases/6.13-gnu/
- https://www.fsfla.org/selibre/linux-libre/download/freesh/ (.deb)
By the time you read this, it may also already be at:
- https://www.fsfla.org/selibre/linux-libre/download/rpmfreedom/ (.rpm)
# Changes to the cleaning up
This was a very active cycle, blob-wise.
*blinking red alert*
- six new drivers had blob requests that we've neutered: rtw8812a, rtw8821a, bmi270, aw88081, ntp8835, ntp8918;
- lots of new and updated devicetree (.dts) files mentioned new blobs that would otherwise be requested and loaded;
- new blobs or other adjustments had to be made to the following drivers: wilc1000, rt1320, sh4-siu, ivpu, btnxpuart, adreno, r8169, x86 touchscreen;
*colorful language omitted*
- cs35l56 documentation, that upstream added after rc7, had to be adjusted to remove recommendations about installing blobs, that would not be applicable to GNU Linux-libre;
- drivers for rtl8192e, rtl8712, vt6656, and ti-st were removed upstream, so we could drop the logic to clean them up.
*soothing green*
# Artwork
*rainbow-like colors*
There was so much cleaning up activity this cycle and so many binary blobs that I had to resort to a vacuum cleaner. https://linux-libre.fsfla.org/~freedo/#news
Picture by tutor Jason Self.
# Keeping in touch
Follow me in the Fediverse for fresh news about GNU Linux-libre. https://mastodon.social/@freedo
*splashy royal blue*
My tutors jxself and lxo are also on IRC: #gnu-linux-libre on libera.chat.
There's also a mailing list you're welcome to join: https://www.fsfla.org/mailman/listinfo/linux-libre
That was all, everyone. Be Free! with GNU Linux-libre.
*waves blue wings*
# Rolling credits
What is GNU Linux-libre? ------------------------
GNU Linux-libre is a Free version of the kernel Linux (see below), suitable for use with the GNU Operating System in 100% Free GNU/Linux-libre System Distributions. http://www.gnu.org/distros/
It removes non-Free components from Linux, that are disguised as source code or distributed in separate files. It also disables run-time requests for non-Free components, shipped separately or as part of Linux, and documentation pointing to them, so as to avoid (Free-)baiting users into the trap of non-Free Software. http://www.fsfla.org/anuncio/2010-11-Linux-2.6.36-libre-debait
Linux-libre started within the gNewSense GNU/Linux distribution. It was later adopted by Jeff Moe, who coined its name, and in 2008 it became a project maintained by FSF Latin America. In 2012, it became part of the GNU Project.
The GNU Linux-libre project takes a minimal-changes approach to cleaning up Linux, making no effort to substitute components that need to be removed with functionally equivalent Free ones. Nevertheless, we encourage and support efforts towards doing so. http://libreplanet.org/wiki/LinuxLibre:Devices_that_require_non-free_firmware
Our mascot is Freedo, a light-blue penguin that has just come out of the shower. Although we like penguins, GNU is a much greater contribution to the entire system, so its mascot deserves more promotion. See our web page for their images. http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/
If you are the author of an awesome program and want to join us in writing Free (libre) Software, please consider making it an official GNU program and become a GNU Maintainer. You can find instructions on how to do so at https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation. We look forward to hacking with you! :)
What is Linux? --------------
Linux is a clone of the Unix kernel [...]
(snipped from Documentation/admin-guide/README.rst)