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Get your Windows license refund

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Re: Get your Windows license refund

#251
post #177

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would I want 3 or more devices, when I want one device capable of it all and under my control?

Congratulations on missing the point entirely. You don’t NEED a smartphone for daily life. It sure is convenient though!

And who are you to tell, me what I need?

Re: Get your Windows license refund

#252

I switched two of my PCs over to Linux Mint last week. The automatic driver support is shockingly good compared to when I last installed Linux on a PC (almost 20 years ago). It even found a driver for the random no-name USB wireless receiver I bought on Amazon, whereas I had to install that driver manually on Windows. Part of my motivation was that one of the machines was still on Windows 7, but more than anything it…

[deleted]

Re: Get your Windows license refund

#253
post #251

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Congratulations on missing the point entirely. You don’t NEED a smartphone for daily life. It sure is convenient though!

And who are you to tell, me what I need?

Go and visit some places in the world were people struggle for the basic necessities of life and God himself will tell you.

Re: Get your Windows license refund

#254
post #75

In 2011 I got a 143€ reimbursement from Dell for an E6420 laptop that I had bought for 910€. Maybe I got lucky but I called the customer service, told the lady I did not agree with the Windows license terms, fully ready to argue my case and she just went "oh, ok, let me just edit a new invoice and wire you the money for Windows plus the Antivirus plus etc.". Which was extra nice because I had no idea I was in fact ch…

I am seriously saddened by the complete takeover of mobile computing by Apple and Google. There is no freedom on your own device to choose your own software, except inside the very narrow constraints allowed.

Thankfully, Linux phones are becoming more and more viable as a daily-driver. We just need more folks to start using them.

Re: Get your Windows license refund

#255

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's what de-facto monopolies do. What is more surprising is that competitors do not arise. Democracies in general have totally messed this up. The USA should be fined for exerting a monopoly onto other countries. And then fined for penalising US customers with that monopoly at home.

"the US"? fined by whom?

By the king of England of course.

Re: Get your Windows license refund

#256

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am seriously saddened by the complete takeover of mobile computing by Apple and Google. There is no freedom on your own device to choose your own software, except inside the very narrow constraints allowed.

What freedom do you need beyond replacing the OS, which is possible on all phones Google sells? If you want to replace the radio firmware, that isn't something that would be possible without that duopoly either.

The Pixel line is, from what I can see, a tiny part of the smart phone market share.

So, yes, I can buy a phone that I can mostly control (at the risk of losing access to some draconian apps). But most devices being sold don't allow consumer control.

Re: Get your Windows license refund

#257

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple should also be forced to allow the user freedom to choose at least one other OS. But maybe thats too much to ask. I think it's not too much too ask, but I am probably an outlier. Dont start about Asahi please. I know it exists.

Okay we force Apple to give the consumer freedom to choose at least one other OS. But none other exists, so what should Apple do? Create a second operating system themselves to give the illusion of choice? Be forced to bankroll an independent team such as Asahi (which you don't seem to consider valid)? It seems to me that you are asking too much.

Publish enough docs to let someone write a full OS?

Re: Get your Windows license refund

#258

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am seriously saddened by the complete takeover of mobile computing by Apple and Google. There is no freedom on your own device to choose your own software, except inside the very narrow constraints allowed.

What freedom do you need beyond replacing the OS, which is possible on all phones Google sells? If you want to replace the radio firmware, that isn't something that would be possible without that duopoly either.

Not having a constant remote root open for the mothership and whoever works there?

Doing crazy things like taking a backup of the phone which you paid full price for?

Re: Get your Windows license refund

#259

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am seriously saddened by the complete takeover of mobile computing by Apple and Google. There is no freedom on your own device to choose your own software, except inside the very narrow constraints allowed.

We were fine without it, we can still be fine without it. Nothing is stopping you from buying an mp3 player, a small point and shoot, and running Linux on a 12 in ultra portable.

> a small point and shoot,

Actually the Point and shoot market has largely dried up, even the 'fancier' point and shoots.

Apple did a very smart thing, using Sony BSI[0] and Stacked[1] Sensors in their phones.

As the 'Camera Snob' in the family my Brother recently asked me to help look for a small point and shoot for his wife for their child's events, and I was shocked at how few options there are compared to a decade ago (And how little most have improved since!)

To be clear, the 'ILC' (what many might think of when they think of when they say DSLR) market has continued to advance and the tech is better than ever, but the simple built-in lens point and shoot market has gotten very small outside of certain markets.

[0] - Back Side Illumination, basically a way to build the sensor that allows more light to hit it, but has some yield implications

[1] - Stacked sensors is again another sensor-build optimization, but it allows for faster readout of the full sensor with less rolling shutter, makes 'computational photography' feasible.

Re: Get your Windows license refund

#260
post #251

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And who are you to tell, me what I need?

Go and visit some places in the world were people struggle for the basic necessities of life and God himself will tell you.

Been there. And I don't feel the need to be in that situation, but life is more about survival.
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