Should I use the Linux-libre kernel or no?

[zeon@lemmy.world]

Hello, I'm wondering if I should use the Linux-libre kernel or if I should stay with the stock Linux kernel. I do want to remain 100% FOSS and have Libreboot installed, but, does it really matter if I use the stock kernel or not? Can the blobs from the stock kernel be a vulnerbility? My only reason for wanting to stay with the stock kernel is because its better maintained and gets audited more. But I'm really just worried about the blobs, can they do anything?

[lordnikon@lemmy.world]

Use whatever works for you. Perfect is the enemy of good. If there was anything better or just as good as free software as the few blobs that are in there they would be replaced since blobs are a pain to work around.

[data1701d@startrek.website]

Depends on your hardware and distro. Linux-libre not be so bad assuming it’s one of those old Thinkpads. Also, though, if you’re on Debian; they deblob their kernel already and put the blobs in separate packages so they can be optionally used. Don’t install any blobs and you’re good.

[just_another_person@lemmy.world]

Unless you know what it is and have REALLY strong feelings about that, nope. You wouldn't be here asking otherwise. You're fine.

[anon5621@lemmy.ml]

I was learning what they are actually and I don't see any point of using linux-libre.Nowdays Linux kernel loading firmware for device from packages called "linux-firmware" technically is binary files located in ur filesystem.Linux libre project just removing mechanism of loading firmware dynamically,does it make device free? No they just don't work.Devices which work with linux-libre for example WiFi dongles contains already firmware on WiFi chip itself and not loading from ur computer.In fact u even loosing security patches from vendors which u can get as updates for all devices.Linux libre project even removing warning about that u are u are using vulnerable firmware.Blobs which now located in kernel code itself is header files with some amount of arrays number arrays.Also not all firmware files works in once,kernel loading only needed one for hardware installed in computer right now
So in conclusion I would not use such kernel,problem not in kernel ,problem that vendors don't share source code for devices.Project linux libre not okay with dynamically loading firmware from filesystem buy they are okay with firmware which installed on devices which work without dynamically loading.It's weird and sounds hypocrisy

[projectmoon@forum.agnos.is]

If you have a wireless card (or don't need wireless) capable of working with Linux Libre, then by all means use it. There is no technological advantage to using Linux-Libre. There are principle advantages. I say this as someone who uses Linux-Libre on my Gentoo laptop (and maintains an overlay with an ebuild for Linux-Libre).