I want a computer that I own • Hacker News Board

Re: I want a computer that I own

#531

Post by GoofballJones » Tue, Mar 09, 2021, 2:25 PM UTC

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…

This may be an ignorant question, but how do we know what every part in a computer does? Yes, we can choose the OS, but do we all know what every single chip does on a motherboard? Like, EVERY chip, not the CPU or main ones, but the innocuous chips that are strewn across a motherboard. Now, I know some of you will go "yes, I know what they do", but do you inspect every motherboard you own in detail to see what they do?

What am I getting at? Well, I know it's totally paranoid, but what if some agency out there in other countries who build these things are putting things on the boards to send telemetry data back. Perhaps something small and quick now and then while the computer is online. Something that you don't even notice unless you're constantly monitoring the internet traffic in and out. And the traffic itself could be something innocuous also. Something that slips under the radar.

I know I know, I'm totally paranoid here. But does anyone here worry about that at all?

Re: I want a computer that I own

#532

Post by Agr0tera » Tue, Mar 09, 2021, 2:30 PM UTC

GoofballJones wrote: post #531

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…

This may be an ignorant question, but how do we know what every part in a computer does? Yes, we can choose the OS, but do we all know what every single chip does on a motherboard? Like, EVERY chip, not the CPU or main ones, but the innocuous chips that are strewn across a motherboard. Now, I know some of you will go "yes, I know what they do", but do you inspect every motherboard you own in detail to see what they d…

That concern isn't actually as paranoid as it may seem, it's happened before https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6240195/Chin...

Re: I want a computer that I own

#533

Post by okprod » Tue, Mar 09, 2021, 2:32 PM UTC

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…

More problematic issue with smartphones these days is the baseband; hard for any phone to be free.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#534

Post by magikaram » Tue, Mar 09, 2021, 2:33 PM UTC

coldtea wrote: post #447

xxs wrote: post #418

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That was supposed to be an honest question with an honest answer. There was no need for a snarky remark. But yes, totally. The topic is about owning your own hardware/software combo - so having addons/customization is the definition of it.

> That was supposed to be an honest question with an honest answer. There was no need for a snarky remark. Well, somewhat snarky. It's still a legimate question. Why would one "need" plugins on a mobile browser? What kind of functionality that mobile Firefox doesn't provide? > The topic is about owning your own hardware/software combo - so having addons/customization is the definition of it. Well, the topic is about…

There are certain extensions that I use on Firefox on the desktop. I would like to have some of those extensions available for my mobile device, in such a way, that I can enhance the usability of my mobile browser.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#535

Post by olah_1 » Tue, Mar 09, 2021, 2:34 PM UTC

For people asking why Urbit created new programming languages and architecture, this is big reason why.

Owning something should mean that you are able to fix it.

A single person can peak under the hood of the entire OS and know what's going on (provided they learn the language). This is inconceivable even in something like Linux.

Simplicity is required for true ownership.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#536

Post by T3RMINATED » Tue, Mar 09, 2021, 2:35 PM UTC

Homeboy never heard of Linux.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#537

Post by bjarneh » Tue, Mar 09, 2021, 2:38 PM UTC

> Governments seem to be universally terrified of even the slightest possibility of anyone in the world having a private conversation.

We used to make fun of the countries behind the iron curtain for their lack privacy. The thought of living in a surveillance state seemed horrible as well as unrealistic in "the west". Freedom / democracy loving people like us would never have that kind of problem. Now it seems the whole world has gone mad, and it seems that people looking for privacy, are just considered as people looking to do something terrible that the state needs to stop anyway.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#538

Post by colejohnson66 » Tue, Mar 09, 2021, 2:42 PM UTC

franga2000 wrote: post #503

pmontra wrote: post #425

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The NSA bit? Do you mean this setting to toggle Intel ME? https://www.csoonline.com/article/3220476/researchers-say-no...

Yep, that's the one. I've heard people referring to it as "the NSA bit" because it was supposedly implemented at the request/demand of the NSA.

If true, the irony of the NSA asking not for their hardware to (possibly) spy on them is rich.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#539

Post by AshWolfy » Tue, Mar 09, 2021, 2:43 PM UTC

gm wrote: post #214

ldbooth wrote: post #191

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not ever... when we vote corporations out of controlling the government, or "we the corporations". Red/Blue is for strawmanning, both parties are $green.

Genuinely curious: Has change of this magnitude ever been achieved entirely by voting? It feels to me like it can only be achieved by revolution (ie, replacing the government entirely with a new government that does what the people actually want). I very well could be wrong.

They can be forced to do what we want, through means like protest and strike, at least in the short term

Re: I want a computer that I own

#540

Post by kebman » Tue, Mar 09, 2021, 2:44 PM UTC

I'm already some ways along with program that allows secure communication over TCP/IP between clients. I'm sure there are many like it, but this one is mine. :) Not sure how you'd cooperate on such a project though.