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Computers as I used to love them

tonsky.me

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Re: Computers as I used to love them

#121

Post by 6510 »

dmix wrote: post #112

> Syncthing has reminded me how great computers can be if they are not made by corporations. This is a silly conclusion. The actual problem he has zeroed in on js when marketers are the primary influencers in product design. Every company I’ve worked for while leading UX and who had a marketing/MBA are product manager had made me do useless things like add the “share this on Facebook and Twitter” links that no one ha…

> Believe it or not corporations can be run by tech people.

This can change at any time.

Re: Computers as I used to love them

#122

Post by 7thaccount »

6510 wrote: post #116
thaumasiotes wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>>Dropbox (and iCloud) are meant more for cloud file storage than pure device-to-device synce > Device to device sync was literally the value prop for Dropbox when it launched > 10 years ago. It's what was advertised. I find it interesting that its initial reception on HN is so frequently slammed for saying "we could already do this, if we wanted to", and then... 10+ years later, Dropbox has had to switch to doing so…

Computers as I used to love them A work of poetry. > A major initial motivation for both the ARPANET and the Internet was resource sharing.

It's crazy how much I enjoy simple software. No crazy complicated APIs and complex installs. Just give me a binary I can call with a command line interface. I can play with it interactivity and easily automated whenever needed.

Re: Computers as I used to love them

#124

Post by toss1 »

Yup, this overall experience of straightforward contained executables vs the entire mess we have now is vastly better.

Also a big fan of Syncthing, and have now found something better: Bvckup 2. It has the same download -run experience, more controllable options, and runs a LOT faster by design. No commercial connection other than being a satisfied customer.

Re: Computers as I used to love them

#127

Post by thrower123 »

thaumasiotes wrote: post #110
ubermonkey wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Dropbox (and iCloud) are meant more for cloud file storage than pure device-to-device synce Device to device sync was literally the value prop for Dropbox when it launched > 10 years ago. That's why I started using it. Dropbox does now allow a more cloud-native file system / cloud backup usage pattern, but its roots are absolutely "keep my files in sync across several computers."

>>Dropbox (and iCloud) are meant more for cloud file storage than pure device-to-device synce > Device to device sync was literally the value prop for Dropbox when it launched > 10 years ago. It's what was advertised. I find it interesting that its initial reception on HN is so frequently slammed for saying "we could already do this, if we wanted to", and then... 10+ years later, Dropbox has had to switch to doing so…

The only thing I ever use Dropbox for is requesting files from people that are too large or that their corporate Exchange environment prevents from being sent over email.

Re: Computers as I used to love them

#128

Post by 999900000999 »

I don't get the point of this.

When I drop all my files in my OneDrive folder, there's no confusion on what I'm getting. I'm getting a fully managed backup solution.

I'm not getting complete control, or the ability to do strange superuser stuff. I have no interest in managing my own backup servers, I have no interest in installing my own sync up tools, I want a multi-billion dollar company to run it.

There's no way to get around it, either. Even if you want to roll your own, you're still ultimately using AWS or another cloud provider.

I make music, and being able to make a song on my iPad, drop it in one drive folder is amazing. Even better, since I make a ton of sampled music, I can find cool samples and use them on my iPad within seconds.

If you have any awareness of how difficult loading new samples is on an MPC you'll respect how great this is.

This is like arguing your Ford Fiesta can't go off-road.

Re: Computers as I used to love them

#129

Post by ur-whale »

> There’s no installers, no package management (but there are packages if you want to), no registration, no email, no logins, no password creation, no 2FA, no consents, no user agreements.

I believe this sentence summarizes why computing has gotten truly annoying in the last 20 years.

My most recent bout of frustration:

     - bought an M1 mac mini to play with new apple chips
     - tried to install wireguard on it
     - the only sane way to do this is to install from the Apple store
     - not happy, but I tried to create an account on the Apple store without them knowing what size underwear I need
     - then they asked for my credit card
So in summary: you need a credit card to run wireguard on an effing mac.

I'd be happy to be proven wrong and know if there was a way to install OSS software on a bloody cupertino box without giving them the key to the kingdom, but even if that exists, the point still stands: the level of annoying and invasiveness of modern computing is simply astounding.

Re: Computers as I used to love them

#130

Post by globular-toast »

999900000999 wrote: post #128

I don't get the point of this. When I drop all my files in my OneDrive folder, there's no confusion on what I'm getting. I'm getting a fully managed backup solution. I'm not getting complete control, or the ability to do strange superuser stuff. I have no interest in managing my own backup servers, I have no interest in installing my own sync up tools, I want a multi-billion dollar company to run it. There's no way t…

It sounds like you never loved computers how the author used to love them.
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