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We should have the ability to run any code we want on hardware we own

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Re: We should have the ability to run any code we want on hardware we own

#721

Post by mycall »

kristov wrote: post #641

I think the conversation needs to change from "can't run software of our choice" to "can't participate in society without an apple or google account". I have been living with a de-googled android phone for a number of years, and it is getting harder and harder, while at the same time operating without certain "apps" is becoming more difficult. For example, by bank (abn amro) still allows online banking on desktop via…

Being disadvantage and not able to own multiple phones for different purposes is a problem.

Re: We should have the ability to run any code we want on hardware we own

#722

Post by anymouse123456 »

dataflow wrote: post #653
kristov wrote: post #641

I think the conversation needs to change from "can't run software of our choice" to "can't participate in society without an apple or google account". I have been living with a de-googled android phone for a number of years, and it is getting harder and harder, while at the same time operating without certain "apps" is becoming more difficult. For example, by bank (abn amro) still allows online banking on desktop via…

Can you make an argument as to how this is different from having to have an account with, say, your ISP?

This question is a non sequitur.

No one is arguing for using ISP-hosted accounts as an alternative.

The core problem isn't even rooted in identity per se, it's about platform owners actively working to limit access to essential information from platforms they cannot profit from.

Even granting the most cherubic motives, this ongoing behavior is atrocious on it's face and should be prevented by any means, including competition, rule making and legislation.

Re: We should have the ability to run any code we want on hardware we own

#723

Post by mothballed »

Retric wrote: post #719
jader201 wrote: post #673

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Depending on where you live, a lot of times you don’t many to choose from. Maybe 2-3, but sometimes only one with fast enough speeds that it becomes the only option.

Where? Cellphone providers + Starlink mean there’s more than 3 options in basically every US home.

Even in places without those, there are a ton of little hamlets in BFE around me that have one guy that gets fiber from wherever is cheapest, then runs a point-to-point directional antenna relay system to a home-brew ISP.

Re: We should have the ability to run any code we want on hardware we own

#724

Post by ahdanggit »

ivanmontillam wrote: post #691
kristov wrote: post #641

I think the conversation needs to change from "can't run software of our choice" to "can't participate in society without an apple or google account". I have been living with a de-googled android phone for a number of years, and it is getting harder and harder, while at the same time operating without certain "apps" is becoming more difficult. For example, by bank (abn amro) still allows online banking on desktop via…

If you live outside the US, it's even worse with WhatsApp. If for whatever reason you dislike WhatsApp, you just can't also be a society's functioning member. Some companies have decided to deprecate email and phone support and only have a WhatsApp chat, potentially with AI slop. I've had to discontinue my services with some of these companies because of that. Even some government services are going through WhatsApp;…

In the Philippines everyone uses Facebook because you can use Messenger for free without data charges.

Re: We should have the ability to run any code we want on hardware we own

#725

Post by rurban »

If I cannot degoogle my phone or maintain my apps with F-Droid, I'd need to install the Huawei HarmonyOS. Technically superior and already usable. Plus I don't care what China spies on me because they won't share their data with my home country or neighbors.

Re: We should have the ability to run any code we want on hardware we own

#726

Post by jjani »

safety1st wrote: post #357
zmmmmm wrote: post #165

> In this context this would mean having the ability and documentation to build or install alternative operating systems on this hardware It doesn't work. Everything from banks to Netflix and others are slowly edging out anything where they can't fully verify the chain of control to an entity they can have a legal or contractual relationship with. To be clear, this is fundamental, not incidental. You can't run your o…

I'm going to get wild-eyed now but you can blame Google for that as they're the ones who just announced they'll retroactively ban me from installing software on the computer I bought and own. I don't think you can really solve this problem as long as there's an operating system monopoly, or even duopoly/triopoly. The lure of total control is just too great. Every operating system vendor, hell every intellectual prope…

It is no coincidence whatsoever that the control accelerated at a pace seen never before just as those two words entered the vernacular. Censorship of such topics on places like Reddit and Youtube tenfolded. It scared them. It's the only thing that works.

Re: We should have the ability to run any code we want on hardware we own

#727

Post by GoblinSlayer »

thrance wrote: post #439
nradov wrote: post #245

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You could just not watch Netflix. Most of the content is kind of crap anyway, low effort filler. And the streaming services have trouble even licensing third-party content at all unless they have robust copy protection. That may be stupid because it drives more consumers to privacy but copyright holders are free to negotiate any licensing terms they want.

You could also not bother with any of it and return to a dumb phone. That's not a solution though.

A smartphone is not a good video device due to small screen. If you do, you just become zombiewalking.

Re: We should have the ability to run any code we want on hardware we own

#728

Post by jijijijij »

hnuser123456 wrote: post #29
idle_zealot wrote: post #4

This makes the point that the real battle we should be fighting is not for control of Android/iOS, but the ability to run other operating systems on phones. That would be great, but as the author acknowledges, building those alternatives is basically impossible. Even assuming that building a solid alternative is feasible, though, I don't think their point stands. Generally I'm not keen on legislatively forcing a deve…

GrapheneOS?

I think GrapheneOS focuses on privacy and security, not liberation. I think their pragmatic and narrow-minded approach is valid, it's important not to conflate their scope with related issues they are unable/unwilling to tackle.

Personally, I think a usable pure Linux phone is required to weaken the desktop vs. mobile distinction and break the lock-in. This would additionally empower the desktop platform, confirm it as baseline.

Re: We should have the ability to run any code we want on hardware we own

#729

Post by nilslindemann »

kristov wrote: post #641

I think the conversation needs to change from "can't run software of our choice" to "can't participate in society without an apple or google account". I have been living with a de-googled android phone for a number of years, and it is getting harder and harder, while at the same time operating without certain "apps" is becoming more difficult. For example, by bank (abn amro) still allows online banking on desktop via…

This is one of the things I wish the EU would intervene. Requiring a smartphone and an app should be illegal for corps of a specific size and for public entities (see school example above/below).
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