Following yesterday's release of the upstream Linux 7.1 kernel release, GNU Linux-libre 7.1 is out with its new build for de-blobbing various drivers from loading non-free-software microcode/firmware and other sanitizing of the kernel code in the name of software freedom.

GNU Linux-libre 7.1 continues dealing with a number of GPU and WiFi networking drivers and their reliance on binary microcode/firmware. The GNU Linux-libre 7.1 changes are summed up as:

"# Cleaning up

- fixed compilation with Rust enabled (thanks Luke Yasuda and Megver83); this was backported to recent 7.0.*-gnu stable releases as well;

- updated cleaning up of Nova-core, hx9023s documentation, prueth devicetree files (now sorted), btmtk, qat_6xxx, amdgpu, m88ds3103, saa7164, r8169, ath12k, mt792x, and mt7996;

*sniff*

- cleaned up new drivers for Lontium LT8713SX DP MST bridge, and for Realtek 802.11be wireless 8922D chips;

*sniff*

- cleaned up tons of new blob names in devicetree files for Qualcomm SoC devices;

*sniff*

- adjusted rtw89 cleaning up for upstream refactoring;

- dropped cleaning up of drivers removed upstream: FORE Systems 200E-series, Alteon AceNIC/3Com 3C985/NetGear GA620 Gigabit, YAM driver for AX.25, SMC 91Cxx PCMCIA, and Sedlbauer Speedfax+."

The GNU Linux-libre 7.1-gnu announcement also calls out the upstream Linux kernel for its retirement of Intel 486 CPU support in the Linux 7.1 kernel:

"If someone were to make a revival batch of i486-powered computers today, nostalgic people who buy such things would soon no longer be able to install a modern kernel on it. The world has moved on.

This is sad not only because any i486 computers that survived this long will soon no longer have maintained kernels to run, and will thus be condemned to landfills (or offline museums!) even if they still work, but also because the window is closing in on the last few remaining x86 processors that can be used in freedom.

*sniff*"

And they even spun up their GNU Linux-libre 7.1 artwork around the i486 retirement:

Those interested in this free software purist version of the Linux kernel can find it on FSFLA.org.