[Discussioni] Fwd: Support the Talos Secure Workstation by January 14th

[Francesco Potortì]

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Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2017 15:37:24 -0500
From: "Donald Robertson, III, FSF" <info at fsf.org>
Subject: Support the Talos Secure Workstation by January 14th


Dear Free Software Supporter,

Raptor Computing Systems is crowdfunding on Crowd Supply to produce,
from the ground up, a high-powered computer with no proprietary
software or firmware blobs called the Talos Secure Workstation. The
project's decision to raise funds via [Crowd Supply][0] means that you
can support their work with anonymous payments, and without the use of
[proprietary JavaScript][1]. We wrote about this project previously,
and encouraged people to [voice their support][2]. While there are
several companies that offer refurbished computers that have been
freed to [Respect Your Freedom][3], the Talos Secure Workstation will
be built from its inception with freedom in mind. But in order for
that to happen, the project needs your help to meet their fund raising
goal.

[0]: https://www.crowdsupply.com/raptor-computing-systems/talos-secure-workstation
[1]: https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.en.html
[2]: https://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/interested-in-a-powerful-free-software-friendly-workstation
[3]: https://www.fsf.org/resources/hw/endorsement/respects-your-freedom

The project has set a crowdfunding goal of $3.7 million and still has
a ways to go to reach that mark. It may seem like they are asking for
a lot of money, but relative to the scope of what the folks at Raptor
Computing are trying to accomplish, it is a small amount. As Raptor
Computing Systems Senior Electrical Engineer Timothy Pearson
explained:

> Large, complex systems such as Talos require minimum order
quantities to be met for the component parts in use, in addition to
R&D expenditure for prototyping, validation, and conformance testing.
We have set the goal at the minimum level required to ensure that we
can not only design the Talos systems, but also purchase the parts
needed to manufacture these complex machines.

They need every dollar they can get to make this system a reality. It
is a difficult goal, but also one that is critical for the future of
free computing. As they note in their [explanation][4] of the problem:

[4]: https://www.crowdsupply.com/raptor-computing-systems/talos-secure-workstation/updates/a-word-on-lockdown

> As of this writing, all currently manufactured, low- to mid-range
and higher x86 devices, with the exception of two obsolete AMD CPUs,
incorporate a security processor that is cryptographically signed,
updateable, unauditable, and for which no source code or documentation
has been made public. Worse, these security processors must load and
continually execute this signed firmware for the system to either be
brought online (AMD) or for it to remain operational (Intel).

If we want a future in which we can continue to have fully free
systems that run only free software, we have to build that future
ourselves. The Talos Secure Workstation is a proposed system to help
secure that future. Their plans are to create a device that will meet
the criteria for [Respects Your Freedom][3] certification, but in
order for their plans to come to fruition, they need your help.

[3]: https://www.fsf.org/resources/hw/endorsement/respects-your-freedom

You can support their work by backing the project via their
[crowdfunding page][0], or even better, by purchasing a mainboard and
accessory package. Every little bit counts. Will you help support the
future of free computing? 

[0]: https://www.crowdsupply.com/raptor-computing-systems/talos-secure-workstation

Sincerely,

Donald Robertson   
Licensing & Compliance Manager  
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Sent from the Free Software Foundation,

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