Migrating MNT Reform to ArchLinux

By default MNT Reform2 laptop comes with Debian SID image. At least that's what I got with my DYI kit. The image comes on SD card, and by default the boot switch on SoM is set to boot from SD Card. SID is fairly bleeding edge, however I still feeling myself awkward working on Debian, even though the bleeding edge is one of the reasons I'm in favour of Arch Linux. Since I have NVME which is considerably faster than SDCard, I decided to combine migration to NVME drive with migration to Arch Linux. Also as there is no boot security so far, the migration will be to encrypted LUKS2 partitions (FDE).

A piece of Librem5 on my MNT Reform2

Despite my frequent ranting at Purism - don't take me wrong, I fully appreciate what they are doing. I just didn't like their communication strategy. Which finally improved and entered a state where I can say - yea ok, I understand. Other than that - their work at GTK/Gnome (libhandy which is now libadwaita, phosh/phoc, various userspace apps) is enormous, their effort at mainlining imx8m is impressive, all together allow me now using pinephone and MNT Reform2 laptop. This article is a demonstration of how the effort in kernel helps on MNT Reform.

Mobile i.MX8MQ Device

Christmas time is full of surprises, one of them was a new mobile device I got a Christmas morning, despite all the chip shortage and whatnot problems. The device is powered by NXP i.MX8MQ industrial SoC which combines 4 Arm A53 cores, 1 Arm M4F core and 1 Vivante GC7k Lite video core. And no, it is not Librem5 device which is supposed to be powered by the same SoC.

Tinfoil session 2: Recovering secure boot vector

So having secure boot enabled with unified kernel image is great, but how to integrate it into OS lifecycle management? And how to do it without compromising the security? The simplicity at one place causes complexity at another.

Tinfoil session 1: Enabling secure boot vector on linux

While being a strong proponent of security and privacy I for long neglected one particular security vector on my laptops - secureboot, relying on compensating controls I put in place. SecureBoot was pushed on me by Microsoft so I naturally reflexly rejected it. Now however is a time to reconsider the stance, especially in view of much higher pressure on privacy and as result much deeper penetration of foreing networked compute elements around us (this is the place we put our tinfoil hat on).

Migrating from Gnome-Keyring to KeepasXC

I never though I'd come to this point, but here we are. Now I'll describe how I came to this point and how I migrated my GKR data to KPXC. Why I did it? Mainly because it just stopped working as it used to be. And I didn't manage (didn't have passion?) to make it working again as it has been before.

Pine Phone

Yes, you read it correct, we're still speaking about pinephone. Librem5 is still out there. Not in here. Regardless, Pine64 started selling CE upgrade for the braveheart and as soon as I figured that I decided to upgrade one of mine pine phones with 3GB. The upgrade is delievered as a new mainboard and for braveheart owners there's a discount. This week the board finally arrived to my post-office and they decided it's too big for them to deliver it (they always do it regardless of the size and weight, that's the way they work).

Linux Phone

Aeons ago I've ordered a phone. A Librem Phone. Librem5 to be precise. It was all well forgotten history when all of a sudden last spring I got notification it has been delayed.

After that glorious event I've started monitoring the progress of the almost finishing development with greater interest which also led me to know there appered to be another project promising to deliver mainline linux phone in about half a year. The price tag was ridiculously low (comparing to L5) so I just gave it a shot - just in case.

Now last week you can imagine the degree of my bewilderment when I've received sealed envelop stating the customs office awaits for my decision on how to proceed with some electronic shipment to me, which clearly need tax clearance (if I want to proceed with the shipment).

PS3 BD BT Remote

Once upon a time I've made XBMC based HTPC... And as any proper HTPC mine should also have a remote control.

Since my TV is Sony, the choice was obvious - Sony PS3 BD BT Remote - both remotes are almost the same which makes HTPC looks aesthetic.

Then however I've realised that despite being recognized as a generic HID keyboard, keys mapped to buttons aren't seen by Xorg (XInput to be precise). Second issue i found was related to battery power. Don't know how PS3 is properly handling it but I solved the problem by suspending the HID via explicit teardown of BT link.

In continuation to this

DLV is gone. mobi zone is not yet signed. What to do? Wait and be prepared