LibreBox small computer

I realize this is true and that their are real barriers to establishing a true Libre product that is not a refurbished unit, but is instead a brand new unit. I don't challenge this one bit. I also realize that opportunities like those with Ubuntu-Mate from a business sense have to be seized on.

At the same time I have a real problem with companies misusing words that have a very specific meaning in a way that communicates to those who do not yet understand the terminology that those words mean something different than they do in reality.

The word "Libre" means completely free, not free in the future, free right this minute. The "Librebox" is not Libre, it incorrectly uses the term. As such it causes confusion with people new to the Libre movement. Further on the website the Trisquel distro shares billing with multiple non-free systems, yet the distinction is never made. For example one could easily surmise from visiting the site that Firefox OS, Ubuntu-Mate, and Jolla are free software when none of them are. Indeed, one does not even find out that the "Librebox", even with Trisquel uses a non-free bootloader until they get to the order page.

I share your excitement for freedom, free software,and the libre movement. At the same time you need to take a hard look at your sales pitch and branding. Right now you run the risk of alienating those who would love to support you.

Take for example Think Penguin. They are very careful with their branding and do a much better job spelling out what is and is not libre. Like your company they preload Trisquel and other non-free distros. I have no issue with this and have been a repeat customer of theirs. At the same time if they started using terms like "free software" and "Libre" as liberally as your company does I'd probably stop buying from them.

Even the company name is problematic. Firstly it doesn't reflect most of what your company even does currently, but rather what it aspires to. The first thing one sees when going to the page is "LibreTrend: Power to Embrace Freedom" followed immediately by "We have the pleasure to announce our new partnership with Ubuntu-mate". Ubuntu-mate isn't libre, further Trisquel appears no where on the page and is the only libre product you carry.

I hope this clearly spells out why folks in this thread have been less than supportive of your efforts, some even being hostile to it. A similar problem happened with Purism and it has resulted in this community becoming very hostile to the product because many of its claims seem disingenuous if not deliberate lies to sell units. I take the tact with Libretrend that its a very well meaning group of people that haven't really thought things out as opportunities have shifted priorities. I hope you take this comment as feedback on how to improve your companies status with the community and not end up like Purism.

Am 7. Juli 2015 03:03:23 MESZ, schrieb name at domain:
>Those who aren't aware of what "free hardware" truly mean could start
>recommending this
>as libre hardware, which is a lie.

I have deep doubts that someone not knowing the real sense of "free hardware" but recommending something as it's "libre". ;)
Nevertheless: yes, the name is a bit misleading.

But my thoughts were going in a different direction. Ubuntu Mate is a) generating a lot of buzz and b) offering a small device for a reasonable price preloaded with their system. These are useful things to attract new users, especially with an easy to use operating system.
So why not step up, go that way too and show that all this is possible with a completely free OS too?

vinz.

well said danieru and vinzv. And also I really don't like those companies (like this one and purism) that profit from terms like "free" or "libre" giving people the mere illusion of freedom.
I found it immoral. An immoral way of doing business.
My laptop is as "libre" as any of these laptops they sell. All I had to do was switch the wifi adapter with and Atheros one that doesn't require non-free firmware: cost - 10 dollars ; time/effort - 3 minutes ..

I understand the misunderstanding, but as said in a earlier comment it's a mix of our brand name (LibreTrend) and what the computer actually is from the outside (a Box). This is why it's called the LibreBox. If our brand name would be SuperTrend it would be the SuperBox :)

The first high-end laptop that respects your privacy, security, and freedom. YEAH, RIGHT..

A computer that has a proprietary BIOS and firmware but claims to be The first high-end laptop that respects your privacy, security, and freedom. is a SCAM!

They make money from selling laptops that are no more "librem" that any laptop with an intel integrated graphics card and an Atheros wifi adapter that doesn't require non-free firmware. And they call it librem, and claim that their laptops are The first high-end laptop that respects your privacy, security, and freedom.
Now if that is not a scam, I don't know what is..

GlugGlug machines aren't hard to make, mostly because the bios is already made and it runs on hardware which can be found for quite cheap on ebay (for example). The real challenge is making a new product with relatively new hardware running that same BIOS, and unfortunately there is a spiral (in my opinion) where :
- Producers create a product and don't liberate their bios so they ship it with a proprietary one
- Small developers solve the problem on that device because they can't mass produce something new
- Others try to mass produce but don't have the financial support
- Since they don't do something fully freed people just keep buying the first one

I really believe that this can be done, and done well. Maybe by us, maybe by ThinkPenguin or maybe by someone new who would arrive soon, we don't know. Until then, unfortunately, we have to depend on what the market gives us.