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I want a computer that I own

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Re: I want a computer that I own

#511

Post by Ensorceled »

oaiey wrote: post #475
Ensorceled wrote: post #456

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Credit companies would do just fine if they couldn't sell your data. Loyalty programs don't need to sell your data, they existed before it was even possible. TV networks ... wait, how is broadcast TV even collecting your data. None of these businesses NEED to collect and sell your behavioural and demographic data to exist. TV and newspapers would probably start doing OK if precision targeted ads were not possible.

Google how modern TV spies on what you view on your screen (not talking your Netflix App here ;))

Right, I know the bullshit Samsung etc. is up to. How is broadast television doing it?

Re: I want a computer that I own

#512

Post by jlokier »

bronco21016 wrote: post #232
kokx wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I love the PinePhone. It is an amazing project, and I'm definitely considering buying one. However, it does not solve my main problem. For most scenarios I still need a "normal" smartphone with either iOS or Android. Apps like WhatsApp and banking apps are unfortunately needed for a large part of my daily life. At risk of either socially isolating myself or bringing major inconveniences without having them. All unava…

What features of the banking apps do you require? My bank’s app is essentially a wrapper around their mobile site. I can’t think of any specific features it has that require it to be an app, both technically, and in their implementation. Check deposit may be the only feature not available in the mobile site. It’s certainly not a technical requirement that they can’t implement that though.

Probably the most noticable feature of banking apps that I've noticed is real-time payment authorization.

Sometimes when making a card payment online (not necessarily on the phone), my phone shows a notification from the app asking me to confirm the transaction.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#513

Post by holstvoogd »

While there are some nice open solutions out there, pine64 etc, one thing I'd like to see in more open projects is high quality.

I have a Pinebook Pro & an System76 Darter laptop. I use neither because the build quality is weak. Things like a proper trackpad, decent resolutions etc. Basically, I want a Macbook Air, but open-ish. And I'd gladly pay the 'premium' for it. Hell, that Darter was more expensive than a pretty decked out MBA & it is a heap of cheap plastics.

If the hardware was there, I wouldn't mind having to out some more effort in to getting a proper Linux distro running properly/

Re: I want a computer that I own

#514

Post by ForHackernews »

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…

You might want to check out https://e.foundation/ - It's a de-googled Android + MicroG, but ships with its own app store and tries to be a generally integrated experience.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#515

Post by LockAndLol »

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…

It doesn't cross their mind because they don't know and don't understand. Once it impacts them, will they know and once they research, will they understand. Do you want to wait around until the public understands? What do you think the world will look like if we just wait?

Imagine we applied your "disregard until it becomes a bigger issue" approach and ridiculed every warning as a "your group problem is not a problem". Look around you. How is that working out?

Climate change for one: "eh... scientists are worrying about things that aren't even a problem yet, we'll tackle it when it becomes a problem, if ever".

Great strategy

Re: I want a computer that I own

#516

Post by macspoofing »

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…

My hope is that as smartphone hardware gets commoditized we'll see a meaningful third-party alternative. Linux on desktop, for example, may not have the marketshare that matches commercial offerings (like MacOS, Win, ChromeOS) but it is viable, and it is there for people who want it. I want to see something like that for phones.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#517

Post by h0nd »

megous wrote: post #442
h0nd wrote: post #423

Since phones are nothing else than computers nowadays: I want a phone that I own! The mobile phones are by far more limiting and take away control of the owner. A simple example would be the possibility to edit the HOSTS file on Android. I am the owner and administrator of this device, yet I am unable to do basic controls of my device.

Or just troubleshooting things, even if you don't want to change anything. You're not even allowed to view what's stored on your phone. My gf asked me why her Android can't install new apps (gplay says it doesn't have enough space to install 14MiB app, phone says it has 200MiB free). So I go to adb shell to see what's taking up space, df says 700MiB free on user data filesystem (so the stupid gplay app is lying). `ls…

Exactly, thats my point, too. You brought up a very nice example (which i actually experienced first hand as well).

I feel forced to circumvent this so called 'protection'.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#519

Post by m-p-3 »

rubatuga wrote: post #270
m-p-3 wrote: post #99

Earlier 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.

I think you mean Intel ME not Intel AMT.

Correct, my bad.

Re: I want a computer that I own

#520

Post by m-p-3 »

rubatuga wrote: post #270
m-p-3 wrote: post #99

Earlier 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.

I think you mean Intel ME not Intel AMT.

Correct, my bad. I would edit my original comment but it's too late.
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