Hello,
I have an idea that I'll describe in brief:
Let's contact computer/hardware sellers with proof of purchase and explain that we bought the product because it lets us run Debian on it.
Rationale:
Consumer computer hardware is going in a worrying direction. Things like "chromebooks" are becoming more and more common. These are essentially locked down computers, locked bootloader, you can't install Linux or any other OS of your choice (at least without hacking it with 'developer mode' and installing custom firmware, and even when that is possible, usually there ends up being serious problems with hardware support and functionality)
I'm worried that this trend will continue and that eventually, all consumer computers (except those sold by specialist companies like System76) will be reduced to locked down chromebook-style appliances rather than general purpose computers that put you in control.
So I believe that now, more than ever, it's important to make ourselves seen and heard: We want computers that let us run Linux and any and all OSes as we choose. We want computers that let us run any and all software that we choose. Anything we did buy, we bought because it does meets our fundamental needs. And if companies want our custom, they need to continue respecting our computing freedom rights and allowing us to install any OS of our choice.
What to do:
For any recent computer hardware you purchased (especially desktop and laptop computers), that you are using with Debian, find your proof of purchase, and contact the manufacturer company, providing your proof of purchase and explaining that:
- You bought the computer because it lets you run linux
- You bought the computer because Linux runs well on hardware with all essential features working (wifi, suspend, bluetooth etc)
- You would not have bought the computer if it was not possible to run linux on it, or not possible to run linux on it well
Let's discuss
Let's talk about this further, let's discuss how to get in contact with different manufacturers, and let's think about what to do.
Myself, just today I sent an email to HP doing all of the above (I bought the laptop about a month ago and immediately installed Debian as soon as I got it), I also posted a similar message on HP's online support forum.
I hope we can get together and make a difference.
I have an idea that I'll describe in brief:
Let's contact computer/hardware sellers with proof of purchase and explain that we bought the product because it lets us run Debian on it.
Rationale:
Consumer computer hardware is going in a worrying direction. Things like "chromebooks" are becoming more and more common. These are essentially locked down computers, locked bootloader, you can't install Linux or any other OS of your choice (at least without hacking it with 'developer mode' and installing custom firmware, and even when that is possible, usually there ends up being serious problems with hardware support and functionality)
I'm worried that this trend will continue and that eventually, all consumer computers (except those sold by specialist companies like System76) will be reduced to locked down chromebook-style appliances rather than general purpose computers that put you in control.
So I believe that now, more than ever, it's important to make ourselves seen and heard: We want computers that let us run Linux and any and all OSes as we choose. We want computers that let us run any and all software that we choose. Anything we did buy, we bought because it does meets our fundamental needs. And if companies want our custom, they need to continue respecting our computing freedom rights and allowing us to install any OS of our choice.
What to do:
For any recent computer hardware you purchased (especially desktop and laptop computers), that you are using with Debian, find your proof of purchase, and contact the manufacturer company, providing your proof of purchase and explaining that:
- You bought the computer because it lets you run linux
- You bought the computer because Linux runs well on hardware with all essential features working (wifi, suspend, bluetooth etc)
- You would not have bought the computer if it was not possible to run linux on it, or not possible to run linux on it well
Let's discuss
Let's talk about this further, let's discuss how to get in contact with different manufacturers, and let's think about what to do.
Myself, just today I sent an email to HP doing all of the above (I bought the laptop about a month ago and immediately installed Debian as soon as I got it), I also posted a similar message on HP's online support forum.
I hope we can get together and make a difference.
Statistics: Posted by dust hill resident — 2025-12-27 22:39