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5550

Dell: Support Open BIOSes for Linux

5550 points posted to Dell, Linux by phubert 10/10/07 **REVIEWED**

An Open BIOS for Linux would free it from the DOS legacy code and speed boot times.

The current BIOS is a legacy throwback... it's time to replace it!






Our current priority is to expand Linux availability by bringing more platforms and languages to market. Read what daniel_j has to say.





phubert
10/10/07		 Open BIOSes for Linux

This article on IBM's developerworks offers some alternatives...

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-bios.html?ca=dgr-lnxw03Spee...
aikiwolfie
10/10/07		 This is another example of how Dell needs to break the mould of PC design and yet another request not just for Linux but for Linux built directly into the machine.
phubert
10/11/07		 It's also a suggestion that Dell needs to 'think outside the box' ... but their stated commitment to virtualization, if followed-through with, might be a sign that Dell is already trying to do so!
aikiwolfie
10/11/07		 But it's moving too slowly. It's like back in the days when it took IBM 6 months to ship an empty cardboard box from one end of the factory to the other. To break the mould in design you have break free of your own mould as well. That's exactly what IBM did when they invented the IBM PC. Dell needs to do the same. Many of the ideas here on Idea Storm could be built using off-the-shelf components. Very little special development needed. The managers need to concentrate on selling what the engineers produce while the engineers need to produce what we're asking for.

Only then will my plans for world domination come to fruition!
dpic
10/14/07		 Also: http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/62549/LinuxBIOS_instead_of_proprietary_...
jervis961
10/14/07		 Congrats phubert for having the most popular idea
petzymathuram
10/15/07		 @ Paul....congrats...;)
phubert
10/17/07		 Linux and F/LOSS should ALWAYS be 'works in PROGRESS', because PROGRESS should be just what they are about.

Technology will continue to change around us as should our application OF technology and F/LOSS provides a REAL opportunity for COLLABORATIVE change and progress.

If this world needs anything, it needs more unity between, not governments or religions, but INDIVIDUALS... and the Internet and F/LOSS provide excellent tools to facilitate this!
petzymathuram
10/17/07		 wow well said Paul...;)
gunner_sr
10/22/07		 I think Dell is listening to our thoughts when it comes to BIOS accessibility under Linux. Isn't what the libsmbios project is all about. I think the interesting part is how manufacturers firmware/software gets integrated into Linux Distro's that is what is the interesting bit. I think only time and demand will tell this story.
phubert
10/22/07		 Isn't the entire Linux/OSS 'model' also fundamental to this? Progress apace?

How Linux Is Testing The Limits Of Open Source Development

But make no mistake: Torvalds is pushing open source development tactics to new extremes. As the kernel grows in size and complexity, the rapid-fire iterations are straining the capacity of the community of volunteers who test and debug them.

Yet Torvalds can't let off the gas, for two reasons.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=202404635
rotthund
10/26/07		 There's EFI, and that's what Apple is already using. Since Dell does it's own BIOS...

Last time I had an OS integrated in a ROM on a desktop was an IBM XT Emerson clone with DOS 3-something. It was convenient not needing to boot from a floppy.
john_h
11/12/07		 This is a nice idea, and is something we have spoken about several times here at Dell. However, at this time we don't have any plans to move our systems to Open BIOSes. This is something we will continue to monitor and investigate over time.
dpic
11/12/07		 Would Dell consider working with LinuxBIOS or something similar to speed up development and be the first to have it used by default?
phubert
11/13/07		 @john_h - if you re-read the suggestion you will see that it is exactly what @dpic refers to. I was not asking Dell to IMPLEMENT Open BIOS for Linux (does such actually exist in usable form?), but rather to become involved with and hence support the efforts TO create an Open BIOS.
john_h
11/15/07		 @phubert: my mistake. I made the assumption that Open BIOS request was for Linux BIOS. I know that we're not currently planning to get involved with the Linux BIOS effort, but I'm not sure what other efforts our BIOS team might be involved in around BIOS standards or open projects for the industry. I'll do some investigations, but I'm not sure how much we'll be able to share on the topic right now.
phubert
11/15/07		 @john_h - no, THANK YOU for THIS response. I'm afraid I -tend- to be far more philosophical than practical, but -philosophy- provides the -foundation- for our actions. So, I really DO appreciate that there is a great deal Dell, or any other company, is not ABLE to share. Your participation in our dialogue, however, is extremely valuable. You must understand that some of the simplest things may turn out to have the greatest effect and truly unexpected results.

I know I probably sound like some 'head in the clouds' crackpot visionary...
winoffice
11/23/07		 What are you saying phubert...I like the BIOSes as they are now.
phubert
11/26/07		 but winoffice, didn't I say "for Linux"????? Open BIOS of course means the BIOS would not be _proprietary_ so the SOURCE would be available, with potential for enhancements, options, innovation...
winoffice
11/27/07		 But then phubert, you said "it's time to replace it" and doesn't that mean "eliminate proprietary BIOSes completely and no longer allow any customers to get them"? I think that customers should be given the OPTION to choose between proprietary and open BIOSes, like this:

Select your BIOS

Proprietary
Open

But then instead of "it's time to replace it" it would be more precise to say "it's time to ADD the CHOICE of open BIOSES". But "replace" usually means "eliminate the old and introduce the new". But I do not want the "old" (proprietary) to be eliminated.
winoffice
11/27/07		 aikiwolfie: "This is another example of how Dell needs to break the mould of PC design and yet another request not just for Linux but for Linux built directly into the machine."

I see no reason why Dell needs to "break the mould" of PC design.
dpic
11/27/07		 That's because you don't use linux. Please understand that a lot of people are switching and that just because you don't need it, doesn't mean that more and more people do.
aikiwolfie
11/28/07		 In a sense dpic is right. Once you've used Linux for even a short while and you see what can be done with Compiz-Fusion or you see the range and depth of quality software that is available for free then the IBM style PC loaded with a hugely obese Windows installation no longer makes sense.

If modern OSs don't need the legacey DOS features BIOSs support then we should do away with them.
notequal
Feb 28		 I agree with this idea of having the option to use an open BIOS. While I don't usually think about the BIOS while interacting with my computer, knowing that the BIOS is open and accessible to end user review and enhancement would make me feel better knowing that the keys to the (my) computer are not in the hands of a corporation.
daniel_j
Mar 18		 Dell has prioritized expanding Linux availability by bringing more platforms and languages to market. Right now we do not plan to develop or support an Open Bios. But, as Linux adoption grows, we will continue to review the opportunities to do this in the future. Thanks for your idea!

Daniel
Dell OS Strategic Planning
kara_k
Mar 18		 Changed status to **REVIEWED**.
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