I did hear about Mr. Martin’s effort. Some are skeptical that these efforts will produce any “fruit” (Apple-pun) but I do not think the work is a waste. In a world where many Linux users are also either proud or closet Apple users as well…I think there is definitely an audience for this. I am definitely one of those peeps who rock Linux on PC next to my MacBook Pro on the same file sharing home network. I am the user who virtualizes Linux on his MacBook Pro (but who secretly wants to dual-boot). I am the user for whom after Apple End-Of-Line’s his decade old Mac would love to still use it solely under Linux. So more power to the Hector Martin’s of the world who see a new tech trend…and who immediately think, “How do I get Linux to run on it?” I don’t care if its ARM or RISC-V or whatever else it is…as a community…I think we should always ask, “How do I port this to Linux?”
Look, in time, I’m sure all PC’s will run ARM with on-board Memory. Apple has their flavor and Intel or AMD or even some other company will do their version. This IS the future that others will migrate to in a search for Moore’s Law to continue. Personally…I simply love the build quality of Apple hardware. Like any enthusiast…I just wanna shoe-horn Linux on it to keep that beautiful hardware humming along longer for what they charge for it.
I think a Geek can love some parts of a company while still being critical of other parts. We should all push Apple to open their gear. If no one tries to make Linux work on the M1 (or beyond) then Apple will never feel the pressure to open-source anything they patent and sell. Like Microsoft…I believe that one day Apple will also succumb to the awesome force that is the Penguin.
One day we’ll have M2 Mac Mini’s running Ubuntu Server operations…cuz some company doesn’t wanna retire them simply because Apple says so. That’s a day I still have faith will come to pass.
Respectfully,
Restless Nomad