> Except for a handful of very over-priced models
Which ones?
I want a computer that I own
261–270 of 668 posts
Re: I want a computer that I own
#262I have a similar feeling, but with modern smartphones. Owning my computer is still relatively possible. I can build a computer from parts which I can choose, and have a choice in which operating system to install on them. Laptops are slightly more closed, but even on those I can choose the OS myself. Modern smartphones however, seem like walled gardens in which I have no control at all. I cannot choose any of the par…
I agree with this so much. It would be so convenient if I could just flash Arch Linux or something onto a modern smartphone and be able to use all the applications and settings and data I use on my desktop, but on my mobile phone. Android is markedly better than iOS when it comes to customization, but it's a far cry from a (real) Linux distribution. I've started getting OS-level push notification ads from Google News…
Have you taken a look at Ubuntu touch? I came across it while researching for my next device. From what I recall, it gives you a full Ubuntu environment on your phone.
Didn't go that route though because of the unavailability of the supported models where I'm at
Re: I want a computer that I own
#263Get a pinephone and a pinebook pro and be done with it. When you want to get online, use a public WiFi like mcdonalds or starbucks and connect to tor or i2p and do your thing.
Attempting to hide in a world full of people who could care less about their privacy will make you stand out to those watching, however.
Re: I want a computer that I own
#264Earlier quoted context omitted.
Your average desktop/laptop CPU runs a blackbox like Intel AMT or AMD PSP which is basically an always active mini-CPU that runs in the background and is OS-agnostic. If you consider your OS max privilege level as ring 0, this is ring -1. If/when someone manage to conpromise those, they can basically take over your computer, and Intel/AMD doesn't provide any sort of killswitch or physical way of disabling it.
Tell me more about this. What does this system do, and why can't we do anything about it?
Faraday cage can do something about it.
Re: I want a computer that I own
#265Earlier quoted context omitted.
The (not cost effective) solution is to carry both. Shut off the 'normal' smart phone when you don't need it (for banking or what have you). Use the web version of Whatsapp ( https://web.whatsapp.com/ ) if you must use it. You could even consider having a WhatsApp specific phone if you have an older model that you've upgraded from that contains no other data. That was my solution anyway.
I do similar. Just use my previous Android (eg Pixel2) with the apps on it and my current phone (Pixel3) is trimmed (disable what you can, no apps but Firefox). I leave the 2 in a known safe location. Not a 100% solution but is dead simple and better than 0%
In your scenario what do you even use the 3 for? Just web browsing?
Re: I want a computer that I own
#266You will get there you just need to wait. The latest computers are driven to improve because of the profit it seems you hate in your post, but Moore’s law is on your side.
Re: I want a computer that I own
#267I have a similar feeling, but with modern smartphones. Owning my computer is still relatively possible. I can build a computer from parts which I can choose, and have a choice in which operating system to install on them. Laptops are slightly more closed, but even on those I can choose the OS myself. Modern smartphones however, seem like walled gardens in which I have no control at all. I cannot choose any of the par…
You will never own your smartphone. That would require you to be the licensed operator for the radio transmission. Instead the radio is licensed to the telco (or related) and the telcos have every regulatory and monetary incentive to prevent users from being able to access or control the radio. The government regulators demand the user not have control and the baseband modem manufacturer(s) demand their licensed inte…
I never understood why they don't sealed box the wireless stuff then.
I could imagine a family of cellular and Wi-Fi devices that present as Ethernet bridges. They'd offer a configuration interface reminiscent of home routers (go to a magic IP either with a REST API or a browser-controllable menu). This eliminates a lot of the delicate, externally facing configuration options and has the side benefit of eliminating a lot of driver development hassle, especially on low-popularity OSs.
Re: I want a computer that I own
#268Earlier quoted context omitted.
Off topic but.. > and now everything but a kitchen sink My kitchen sink has a processor in it.
That’s hilarious. What is it processing?
https://www.moen.com/smart-home/u-by-moen-smart-faucet
Alexa controlled sink :)
"Alexa, give me one cup"
Stupid I know
Re: I want a computer that I own
#269Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yeah, I think the parent started with some good concepts like "a computer I own" and "not being spied on", but then missed the lack of relation between the two. You can have a computer that does not connect to the Internet, or connects to the Internet very little, or only connects to the Internet through specific communication channels you open in a firewall. That's all very attainable. However, as soon as you commun…
I'll go further: when have you ever been able to communicate with guaranteed privacy? Telephone? Nope. Ham radio? Nope. Letters sent through the mail? Nope.
Letters sent with homing pigeons were mostly private...
Re: I want a computer that I own
#270Earlier quoted context omitted.
I get the feeling you could be tempted to say more about that. Please elaborate?
Your average desktop/laptop CPU runs a blackbox like Intel AMT or AMD PSP which is basically an always active mini-CPU that runs in the background and is OS-agnostic. If you consider your OS max privilege level as ring 0, this is ring -1. If/when someone manage to conpromise those, they can basically take over your computer, and Intel/AMD doesn't provide any sort of killswitch or physical way of disabling it.
I think you mean Intel ME not Intel AMT.