@xianc78 >using only FSF-approved GNU+Linux distros that can only run on 2011 Thinkpads.
Trisquel GNU/Linux-libre can run just fine on even the most proprietary of computers.

If it has a Intel or AMD CPU, Intel 1000BASE-T NIC, Realtek 1000BASE-T NIC (most other NIC's too, except for some Broadcom e-waste chipsets), it has intel integrated graphics, or a ASpeed GPU, a ath5k or ath9k Wi-Fi card, or other Wi-Fi or bluetooth card that works with free software, or a nvidia GPU (how ironic), that hardware will work (nvidia up to the 700 series has free reclocking and peripheral software and it appears newer will work, just at idle clocks).

Even AMD or ATI GPUs do work, at native resolution, but with no 3D acceleration or ACPI S3 suspend (depending on your use case, that may not matter to you).

Someone can quite easily try out a live image of Trisquel and see if their hardware is faulty and if not they can proceeded to have freedom, otherwise they can decide to choose if they want to install a proprietary distro instead.

On those computers the BIOS or UEFI is proprietary, but at least the user doesn't install proprietary software.


The only GNUbootable thinkpads are those from 2008, as they lack the digital handcuffs the 2011 models have.

>Despite most GNU+Linux distros coming with some proprietary software
That is a serious problem and works against the goal of why GNU exists.

Those distros go down to the road to proprietary hell, because it's faster, when they should be going up the road to freedom; https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/compromise.html

>I have yet to encounter a single distro that requires you to link your installation with some online account >ChromeOS, Android (which is only Linux, not GNU), and SteamOS
You can't help but to contradict yourself can you?

- Gentoo GNU/Linux without freedom (ChromeOS) is unusable without an account (the "guest account" doesn't retain any state).
- Android uses the kernel, Linux, without GNU (it's hot garbage until you install GNU via termux really) and most versions don't force "linking" any account.
- SteamOS is slightly modified versions of different GNU/Linux distros.

>I would love to see the day where nobody has to rely on proprietary software anymore, but we are just not there yet.
Total proprietary death will only be achieved when proprietary software is eliminated - using more and more of it when it appears convenient goes in the opposite direction to the goal.

The day when nobody has to rely on proprietary software is today, although it requires fighting for your freedom and making good hardware choices.