If we want to have computing freedom, we're going to need computers that are safe and don't lock us out. Having actually well designed architectures (x86 sure ain't it) would be nice too. RISC-V is a beam of hope: https://riscv.org/
- India is making progress on fabb'ing their own RISC-V chips https://fossbytes.com/linux-on-shakti-india-risc-v-processor-iitm/
- FOSDEM video on RISC-V https://fosdem.org/2018/schedule/event/riscv/
Got other interesting RISC-V links?
@cwebber In what way would you expect a RISC-V to actually improve user experience.
I dont think ive ever been "locked out" of my computer because of my choice of cpu...
- No consumer wants Intel ME (or AMD's equiv) low-level spyware, but except that Intel won't remove it because IIUC it's key to Intel's team-up with Hollywood's DRM stuff.
- Hardware bugs end up being system-wide bugs. See Meltdown, Spectre, but there are others too. Users have no control over fixing that stuff. There's no community opportunity to even *audit* it.
- We're moving into an era increasingly where it's very hard to install FOSS software on devices.
@cwebber All valid points. What does RISC-V do to address these issues. Just make it open source basically (a huge step in its own right).
@freemo Happy to spread the good word! ;)