The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has officially granted sponsorship to GNU Boot, an open-source alternative to proprietary BIOS and UEFI systems. This decision follows the FSF's withdrawal of support for the Libreboot project in late 2022 due to the inclusion of binary components in its code.
Founded in 2022 by Denis Carikli and Adrien Bourmault, GNU Boot aims to provide a fully transparent firmware environment. Unlike proprietary solutions, the project maintains a strictly open-source codebase, aligning with the FSF's philosophy regarding software freedom and digital autonomy.
The project has been in development for over three years and supports a wide range of hardware. Initial versions were compatible with various devices, including Apple iMac 5,2, MacBook 1,1, and MacBook 2,1 models, as well as several Lenovo ThinkPad laptops and Asus server motherboards.
The FSF emphasized that GNU Boot serves as an ethical replacement for the closed-source firmware found in most modern computers. By receiving this sponsorship, the developers intend to focus on code maintenance and expanding support for additional hardware platforms.
