BTW, I emailed rms@gnu.org about microcode updates and the only reply was a pointer to http://gnu.org/philosophy/free-hardware-designs.html.

So... it's just one of these [1] with the firmware pre-flashed?

https://www.asus.com/Commercial-Servers-Workstations/KGPED16...

Cool, although vastly out of budget for me.

>is ideal for setting up a custered (and libre!) super computing environment.

I'm assuming they mean "clustered", as opposed to the dessert topping or the General.

As usual, any claim that this will resist High Strength Attackers like NSA is BS until proven otherwise. I recently put two links here showing what that takes:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10529676

On topic of FOSS boards, it sounds like a good idea given the principles of incremental progress toward one's goals and getting there by investing. The hardware would certainly be usable and very hacker-friendly. Both usages of the term. ;)

Hope it gets released and delivers on its promises. Step in right direction.