GNU/Linux in Laptops/Desktops Still Matters, It's Likely the Only Way to Achieve Software Freedom
Last year: GNU/Linux is Replacing Windows in Laptops/Desktops
GNU/Linux started in 1983 or 1984 (depending which event matters most). Back then few homes, even in relatively rich countries, had a computer. In the mid 80s or later 80s it started to become more common to have one; for many it was a thing available at work, university etc.
A lot has changed since then, including the introduction of portable phones with a complex operating system on them. Most of them nowadays run Android, but despite using Linux (the kernel) the platform obstructs users instead of liberating them. It has been getting worse every year.
Software Freedom requires all sorts of things at the "OS level", with "attestation" being antithetical. It just doesn't make sense to restrict what can and cannot be changed on a system, for it would take away basic freedoms.
As long as GAFAM et al mandate production of workstations (e.g. to include restricted boot and TPMs) we'll have a real problem protecting users' freedom from the "ground up".
More people ought to talk about how "mobile phones" (or "cellphones") take us away from freedom; we need to focus on the never-ending attempts to abolish general-purpose computing (as opposed to blackboxes). IBM is part of this problem. █
Image source: The vaudeville star Fritzi Ridgeway, showing what it takes to melt a snowman