[PLUG-TALK] Support the Talos Secure Workstation by January 14th (fwd)

[Rich Shepard]

   For those who actively support open source hardware as well as software
this project might be of interest.

Rich
---------- Forwarded message ----------

Raptor Computing Systems is crowdfunding on Crowd Supply to produce, from
the ground up, a high-powered computer with no proprietary software or
firmware blobs called the Talos Secure Workstation. The project's decision
to raise funds via [Crowd Supply][0] means that you can support their work
with anonymous payments, and without the use of [proprietary JavaScript][1].
We wrote about this project previously, and encouraged people to [voice
their support][2]. While there are several companies that offer refurbished
computers that have been freed to [Respect Your Freedom][3], the Talos
Secure Workstation will be built from its inception with freedom in mind.
But in order for that to happen, the project needs your help to meet their
fund raising goal.

[0]: https://www.crowdsupply.com/raptor-computing-systems/talos-secure-workstation
[1]: https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.en.html
[2]: https://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/interested-in-a-powerful-free-software-friendly-workstation
[3]: https://www.fsf.org/resources/hw/endorsement/respects-your-freedom

The project has set a crowdfunding goal of $3.7 million and still has a ways
to go to reach that mark. It may seem like they are asking for a lot of
money, but relative to the scope of what the folks at Raptor Computing are
trying to accomplish, it is a small amount. As Raptor Computing Systems
Senior Electrical Engineer Timothy Pearson explained:

"Large, complex systems such as Talos require minimum order quantities to be
met for the component parts in use, in addition to R&D expenditure for
prototyping, validation, and conformance testing. We have set the goal at
the minimum level required to ensure that we can not only design the Talos
systems, but also purchase the parts needed to manufacture these complex
machines."

They need every dollar they can get to make this system a reality. It is a
difficult goal, but also one that is critical for the future of free
computing. As they note in their [explanation][4] of the problem:

[4]: https://www.crowdsupply.com/raptor-computing-systems/talos-secure-workstation/updates/a-word-on-lockdown

As of this writing, all currently manufactured, low- to mid-range and higher
x86 devices, with the exception of two obsolete AMD CPUs, incorporate a
security processor that is cryptographically signed, updateable,
unauditable, and for which no source code or documentation has been made
public. Worse, these security processors must load and continually execute
this signed firmware for the system to either be brought online (AMD) or for
it to remain operational (Intel).

If we want a future in which we can continue to have fully free systems that
run only free software, we have to build that future ourselves. The Talos
Secure Workstation is a proposed system to help secure that future. Their
plans are to create a device that will meet the criteria for [Respects Your
Freedom][3] certification, but in order for their plans to come to fruition,
they need your help.

[3]: https://www.fsf.org/resources/hw/endorsement/respects-your-freedom

You can support their work by backing the project via their [crowdfunding
page][0], or even better, by purchasing a mainboard and accessory package.
Every little bit counts. Will you help support the future of free computing?

[0]: https://www.crowdsupply.com/raptor-computing-systems/talos-secure-workstation

Sincerely,

Donald Robertson
Licensing & Compliance Manager