OpenBSD boots multi-user on Apple M1 hardware

So much for the many remarks made on HN claiming that Apple would use the M1 to further exert control over users’ ability to boot an alternative OS. Between this and Asahi Linux, I’d say things are off to a good start.

Btw, Asahi has a Patreon page for anyone who wants to contribute. I’m tossing twelve bucks a month and recommend any Mac users with interest in booting alternative OSes support such projects.

Now I’m gonna see if there’s an option to throw money at this.

Re: OpenBSD boots multi-user on Apple M1 hardware

#5

Post by asveikau » Sun, Feb 21, 2021, 1:27 AM UTC

alsetmusic wrote: post #4

So much for the many remarks made on HN claiming that Apple would use the M1 to further exert control over users’ ability to boot an alternative OS. Between this and Asahi Linux, I’d say things are off to a good start. Btw, Asahi has a Patreon page for anyone who wants to contribute. I’m tossing twelve bucks a month and recommend any Mac users with interest in booting alternative OSes support such projects. Now I’m g…

To be fair that wasn't the only type of knee jerk negative reaction here on this topic. IIRC there was another, more Apple-fan style commentary of "a free OS will never run on this bespoke Apple product, and shouldn't".

I for one am glad people are making progress.

Re: OpenBSD boots multi-user on Apple M1 hardware

#6

Post by 1vuio0pswjnm7 » Sun, Feb 21, 2021, 1:29 AM UTC

sigjuice wrote: post #3

1vuio0pswjnm7 wrote: post #2

Looks like he is booting from USB stick.

Need to start somewhere.

That's the preferred method for me on NetBSD.

Re: OpenBSD boots multi-user on Apple M1 hardware

#7

Post by djrogers » Sun, Feb 21, 2021, 1:36 AM UTC

asveikau wrote: post #5

alsetmusic wrote: post #4

So much for the many remarks made on HN claiming that Apple would use the M1 to further exert control over users’ ability to boot an alternative OS. Between this and Asahi Linux, I’d say things are off to a good start. Btw, Asahi has a Patreon page for anyone who wants to contribute. I’m tossing twelve bucks a month and recommend any Mac users with interest in booting alternative OSes support such projects. Now I’m g…

To be fair that wasn't the only type of knee jerk negative reaction here on this topic. IIRC there was another, more Apple-fan style commentary of "a free OS will never run on this bespoke Apple product, and shouldn't". I for one am glad people are making progress.

I’ve read just about every M1 story and thread on HN since launch, and one of us is apparently mis-reading some posts here. I have never seen anything that I could remotely interpret as matching that sentiment.

Re: OpenBSD boots multi-user on Apple M1 hardware

#8

Post by spijdar » Sun, Feb 21, 2021, 1:43 AM UTC

sigjuice wrote: post #3

1vuio0pswjnm7 wrote: post #2

Looks like he is booting from USB stick.

Need to start somewhere.

Relevant I guess since, besides the GPU, I'd expect one of the hardest parts of porting to the M1 would be full support for its very non-standard storage interfaces.

Still impressive, but installing on or booting off the internal storage will be a big milestone for an prospective OS.

Re: OpenBSD boots multi-user on Apple M1 hardware

#9

Post by dooglius » Sun, Feb 21, 2021, 1:47 AM UTC

Is there something about multi-user that makes it harder than single-user? If it boots, it's all software at that point, no?

Re: OpenBSD boots multi-user on Apple M1 hardware

#10

Post by chipotle_coyote » Sun, Feb 21, 2021, 1:48 AM UTC

asveikau wrote: post #5

alsetmusic wrote: post #4

So much for the many remarks made on HN claiming that Apple would use the M1 to further exert control over users’ ability to boot an alternative OS. Between this and Asahi Linux, I’d say things are off to a good start. Btw, Asahi has a Patreon page for anyone who wants to contribute. I’m tossing twelve bucks a month and recommend any Mac users with interest in booting alternative OSes support such projects. Now I’m g…

To be fair that wasn't the only type of knee jerk negative reaction here on this topic. IIRC there was another, more Apple-fan style commentary of "a free OS will never run on this bespoke Apple product, and shouldn't". I for one am glad people are making progress.

Like djrogers, I can't honestly say that I've seen a comment like that. I recall ones more like "I'm not interested in running another OS on my Mac" and "if you wanted to run Linux, why would you buy a Mac," but those really aren't the same sentiment.