|
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
|
|
|
+# The libreCMC FAQ
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+## What is libreCMC?
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+The libreCMC project provides replacement software for consumer-grade
|
|
|
+routers in the form of a small GNU/Linux distro. The software and tools
|
|
|
+that the project distributes allow users to take back control of
|
|
|
+their devices from hardware manufactures. Because libreCMC is [Free
|
|
|
+Software](http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.en.html), users are
|
|
|
+able to unlock the ability to control and breath new life into
|
|
|
+devices the project supports.
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+## Why should I care?
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+In the light of recent events, it is more important now more than ever to fight
|
|
|
+for the freedom to control the software that runs on a given device. Users
|
|
|
+should have the freedom to control their devices, not the OEMs who originally
|
|
|
+made the device. Since libreCMC is free software, users have total control over
|
|
|
+what the software on their device is doing. This is important because it means
|
|
|
+that the community can add new features, review what the software is doing and
|
|
|
+make improvements that benefit the community as a whole.
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+## What devices does libreCMC work with?
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+The libreCMC project supports mostly consumer-grade router and a few other
|
|
|
+embedded devices. This list can be found on the Supported Hardware page. While
|
|
|
+this list is not extensive, the libreCMC project has very strict requirements
|
|
|
+for supporting devices. Some examples include:
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+* libreCMC has to be installable from stock firmware. In most cases, devices
|
|
|
+have a complicated process or use of additional tools to replace the firmware /
|
|
|
+software. The project will still consider some level of support if it does not
|
|
|
+meet this requirement and meets all of the other requirements.
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+* The hardware can't require non-free software or binary blobs to work. Non-free
|
|
|
+Software / Blobs are pieces of software where we (the community) does not have
|
|
|
+the source code under a proper Free Software [1] license. Non-free Software and
|
|
|
+blobs make supporting a device for any length of time a chore and usually
|
|
|
+support evaporates when device vendors stop releasing new blobs / components.
|
|
|
+If a device requires non-free software or blobs, the libreCMC project won't
|
|
|
+support devices that can't meet this requirement.
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+* The device needs to have enough flash (storage) to work with. Sadly,
|
|
|
+the issue of bloat in modern times is seen as a non-issue for many
|
|
|
+software developers. While there are a lot of hardware that the
|
|
|
+project would like to support, there are some devices that just simply
|
|
|
+don't have enough flash. One of the long-term goals of the project is
|
|
|
+to eventually support devices with limited flash. Right now, the
|
|
|
+minimum requirement for libreCMC supported devices is 4M of flash,
|
|
|
+depending on the features that are desired.
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+## Features
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+The libreCMC project's main focus is on consumer-grade routers and a
|
|
|
+few other embedded devices. While libreCMC is based upon OpenWrt, the
|
|
|
+project does not support all of the same features and tries to strike
|
|
|
+a balance between functionality and bloat. The project *does not*
|
|
|
+support the following:
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+* UPnP support: UPnP is a security nightmare and the project won't support it.
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+* Services / Applications that belong on their own machine or can't
|
|
|
+run on 90% of targets : While it might be cool to run a particular
|
|
|
+service or application on your router, it is usually is a bad
|
|
|
+idea. Many of the devices that we support are not capable of running
|
|
|
+such things because of a lack of processing power, flash or RAM.
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+## How often are releases made?
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+libreCMC releases incremental every 3 - 6 months, depending on if
|
|
|
+there is a critical security or design flaw. The project tries to
|
|
|
+maintain major or LTS (long Term Support) releases for about 2 years.
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+## How can I get started with libreCMC?
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+[Getting Started]() Page : WIP?
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+## How can I contribute to libreCMC?
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+Pull requests can be made or issues can be filed against the project's
|
|
|
+[git](https://gogs.librecmc.org/libreCMC/libreCMC) repository.
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+Information about monetary contributions can be found on the project's
|
|
|
+[contact](https://librecmc.org/contact.html) page.
|