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I want a computer that I own

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Re: I want a computer that I own

#351

Post by tim333 »

bayindirh wrote: post #313
kokx wrote: post #15

I 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'll play the (intentional) Devil's Advocate here to present an alternative viewpoint. I like iOS, but not Android. Let me explain why. I personally love Linux, Unix philosophy (I'm even sometimes an old beardy zealot about POSIX standards and the old way ), and inherent customization possibilities. On the other hand, I don't want to manage my phone like a desktop or laptop computer, or a server because of a plethora…

I'm similar and for the most part don't really use the iPhone as computer. It just acts as a hotspot for the laptop and I use it to take photos so I don't have to worry so much about proprietary stuff running on it.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#352

Post by shrew »

xxs wrote: post #324
bayindirh wrote: post #313

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll play the (intentional) Devil's Advocate here to present an alternative viewpoint. I like iOS, but not Android. Let me explain why. I personally love Linux, Unix philosophy (I'm even sometimes an old beardy zealot about POSIX standards and the old way ), and inherent customization possibilities. On the other hand, I don't want to manage my phone like a desktop or laptop computer, or a server because of a plethora…

>I like iOS, but not Android. Let me explain why. No Firefox on iOS, hence useless.

Honest question: is it simply the fact you can't use a Gecko engine on iOS that makes it useless to you?

My impression is that the Firefox shell offered is still able to provide the various anti-tracking privacy features that many would point to Firefox for, and the variety of browser shells available should mean that you'd be able to find a UI to your liking if Safari's isn't.

At that point, the only thing I can see missing is a non-webkit engine. I get that that's an annoyance and definitely on the same anti-competitive level as 00s era IE, but by and large web developers account for it and it works acceptably. As much as I'd need it to for mobile browsing.

Would just be interested to know if there's something more I'm missing.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#353

Post by Daho0n »

aiisahik wrote: post #105

This is literally something that NEVER crosses the mind of the average consumer. We should have a HackerNews version of "first world problems" and call it "HackerNews Problems". You now have a computer that is 10,000 times faster than one you had 30 yrs ago at half the price. Oh and it fits in your pocket. A lot of time and money went into creating that. Those people need to get paid. And yes you pay for it with some…

>Most people don't even use a VPN

Those that use a VPN for privacy are the "average consumer". Those, let's say more geeky, know that the VPN for privacy that are sold by lots of companies are a fallacy as using a VPN from home gives you zero extra privacy. It only moves the problem from your ISP to the VPN company, which likely isn't covered by the same laws. It is in almost all cases worse.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#354

Post by jiggunjer »

DaiPlusPlus wrote: post #336
bboygravity wrote: post #329

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> iOS takes all of these away. Complete backups are built-in (I know android has it, but I don't know how bulletproof is this) Not to burn you down, but to burn Android down: no, Android does not allow you to take complete backups. Let alone "built-in". The only backups that are made are forced to Google cloud and only backs-up apps that where downloaded through Google Play and app settings for Google stuff. It is an…

> Android does not allow you to take complete backups Can't you enable developer mode, open a terminal and just run `dd`?

"developer mode" is typically a custom recovery environment that requires an unlocked bootloader to be flashed. A nandroid backup is effectively a dd image.

It's a bit messier if your data also lives on an internalized sd card.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#355

Post by jodrellblank »

monkeyingaround wrote: post #223
jodrellblank wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone who has watched laptops get thousands of times faster, smaller, lighter, more battery life, clearer higher resolution screens, smaller chargers, faster connectivity, quieter fans, I flagged your comment for signing up a new account to post a personal attack.

time well spent then, sleep well

https://hn.algolia.com/?query=downvoters%20should&sort=byPop...

https://hn.algolia.com/?q=downvoters+should

Re: I want a computer that I own

#356

Post by gdetassigny »

Xylakant wrote: post #343
bayindirh wrote: post #313

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll play the (intentional) Devil's Advocate here to present an alternative viewpoint. I like iOS, but not Android. Let me explain why. I personally love Linux, Unix philosophy (I'm even sometimes an old beardy zealot about POSIX standards and the old way ), and inherent customization possibilities. On the other hand, I don't want to manage my phone like a desktop or laptop computer, or a server because of a plethora…

> iOS takes all of these away. Complete backups are built-in They’re not. Backups are built-in but they’re not complete. For example google Authenticator data is not backed up. Microsoft Authenticator can be backed up, but you need to go through a few extra steps (and have a Microsoft account). Other secrets are not included either - my banks PhotoTAN app doesn’t store any credentials etc. There are reasons why this…

It's a bit ironic to criticize Apple's mobile solution via an app built by its direct competitor. Google made the choice of not implementing backups for Google Authenticator, so that's really on them. I would recommend Authy for 2FA. It supports backup straight out of the box.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#357

Post by fsflover »

Daho0n wrote: post #333
xxs wrote: post #324

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I like iOS, but not Android. Let me explain why. No Firefox on iOS, hence useless.

For those that aren't aware: Because only safari is allowed in iOS every other browser is basically just a skin.

"This is for your security": https://docs.house.gov/meetings/JU/JU05/20190716/109793/HHRG....

Re: I want a computer that I own

#358

Post by fouuler »

kokx wrote: post #15

I 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…

> since a lot of normal interactions such as banking almost requires you to have such a phone.

I can get by without carrying a microphone-and-camera equipped computer controlled by someone else around, and so I don't; but, if I want to return something I bought on the Internet, I don't get a receipt; and, if I want to go to a bar, there's a risk I won't be allowed to pay. (There is a law against the latter problem, but it is not enforced.)

Re: I want a computer that I own

#359

Post by fsflover »

HideousKojima wrote: post #256
29083011397778 wrote: post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some people will tell you that the Pinephone is daily-driver ready. They're right, but only in the sense that using a feature phone is daily-driver ready. It's only feasible if your lifestyle permits it, if you're willing to go without sometimes, if leading by example, and voting with not just your wallet, but whatever you value (be it time, money, or uncertainty) is a deal you're happy to make. I love my Pinephone.…

I'm really heartbroken that I can't use a Pinephone as a daily driver because of the simple fact that it doesn't have a 5ghz wifi antenna. Where I currently live there's just too much interference on 2.4ghz. It's literally the one feature I need. As soon as they come out with a model that has 5ghz wifi I'm happy to jump right on board, especially since they're coming out with a keyboard attachment.

Librem 5 has 5ghz wifi.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#360

Post by fsflover »

GoOnThenDoTell wrote: post #293
xnyan wrote: post #211

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You’ve drilled down to the critical issue - batteries. For better or worse, we have observed there’s a limit as to how much stuff people will willingly carry on the regular. Current phones barely fit in that space envelope. Make a phone twice as big or require a separate device, and for most users this is equivalent to not carrying a cellphone. I don’t think the current dominance of the big two can end until the hard…

You can make the phone 5 times thicker though, I remember the late 90s and it was still carried everywhere

That's what Purism did with Librem 5. Wifi and cellular modem are both removable.
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