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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

#931

Post by skeezyboy »

integralid wrote: post #787
divan wrote: post #431

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your smartwatch is probably more powerful than some of your past computers too. Same with your DSLR camera. Even your smart fridge. These are specialized hardware+software gadgets designed to a particular purpose, which is very different from being a development platform. Same with a phone.

Why shouldn't I be able to reflash my fridge? I own it. I did this with my vacuum robot for example. It doesn't have to be easy or convenient, but it shouldn't be impossible.

What stops you from flashing your fridge, besides the fact you bought an unflashable fridge?

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

#932

Post by eloisant »

1over137 wrote: post #891
mothballed wrote: post #710

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't own a phone, but the most shocking revelation came when my child's school required us to use an app to specify how our children will be picked up or ride the bus. So far I've been able to avoid using apps for pretty much anything, but when the school says "use an app or you won't get your kids" and then also say they will call CPS and have your kids seized if you don't get them in time, that puts you in a rea…

What country is that in?!??

CPS is in the US I believe

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

#933

Post by eloisant »

bluesign wrote: post #677
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…

I think it is kind of levels: "can't participate in society without a mobile phone" "can't participate in society without internet" "can't participate in society without google" not sure where is the logical correct threshold making it wrong. because we all accept maybe people not participating without internet.

I don't think it's an issue to require Internet to participate in society, just like it wouldn't be an issue to require a mobile phone if you can use any phone (including a Linux phone or degoogled Android).

The problem is that now you need a phone with Apple or Google software running it.

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

#934

Post by einpoklum »

tomaskafka wrote: post #733
abustamam wrote: post #717

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even if they ban you for a reason, you're screwed. Granted, the ban may have been warranted, but you're essentially put into a societal prison with no due process or recourse.

That is a great analogy. There are countries where a police can throw you into a lifetime jail with zero option for justice unless you are a famous person from a well known western country. Those countries are North Korea, Iran, Russia, Google and Apple.

First of all - add Israel. If you're a Gazan than this goes without saying, but even if you're a citizen, then - the General Security Service can and does people into custody without a warrant; often does not publicly disclose or admit said custody; and has "secret" detention facilities to hold such people (example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_1391)

I also wonder about the US: What about the secret imprisonment mechanisms it set up after the 2001 attacks on the twin towers (9/11)? Were those ever dis-established?

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

#935

Post by einpoklum »

owlbite wrote: post #908
shawabawa3 wrote: post #650

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If you decide you don't want a relationship with either of those companies you will be extremely disadvantaged. Even more worrying is the inverse of this - if Google and/or Apple decide for whatever reason they don't want a relationship with you (aka they ban you for no reason) - you are completely screwed

I think this is the thing we need to change most. These big companies effectively have as much power as courts to break your life, but no transparency, oversight, appeals process or even a clear process in some cases. They can destroy a person or a small business without even noticing.

And just think, how people could stop using so many of their services. Say, not use GMail mailboxes and go for other providers. It's like most of us are actively putting ourselves in their prisons every day.

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

#936

Post by skeezyboy »

danpalmer wrote: post #888
mordae wrote: post #402

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Imagine Lenovo refusing to service your ThinkPad because you've compiled your own kernel. Charging IC has NTC thermistor and battery absolutely must withstand the system running on 100% and then some. As for battery lifetime, batteries are cheap, unless you glue them to an expensive assembly and force people to replace whole assembly as phone vendors do.

Laptop manufacturers are most definitely not designing their laptops to run at the top of the thermal envelope for 100% of the time, and honestly that's probably the right choice because no one does that – that's what you pay for when you buy high end servers, and the fact these corners are cut is why consumer hardware is so much cheaper. If you run the software they provide and their guardrails aren't strict enough,…

>Laptop manufacturers are most definitely not designing their laptops to run at the top of the thermal envelope for 100% of the time, and honestly that's probably the right choice because no one does that

both claims untrue.

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

#937

Post by omgmajk »

ddingus wrote: post #803
guerrilla wrote: post #782

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Sweden, we have BankID for one thing. You can't do anything at all without it, including (in many cases) buying things online with your Visa or Mastercard. You can't even do stupid things like look up license plates or other simple tasks. You certainly can't deal very well with the medical system without it. In many cases even mail can be a pain in the ass without it. Then we have another problem. Cashlessness. Th…

Painful! How does one get shut out? Perhaps a story of his life now could be told to whatever politician may make sense? (I just do not know that for your part of the world) Seems to me there must be some basic government run thing to manage this. Using corporations has too many problems. And you may tell me BankID is government! Hope not.

BankID is owned by a cartel of our biggest banks but effectively, in real life, is basically mandatory. It's used with (mostly) everything here and it's hard to get a new one if you let some other things slip, like your passport or national ID card.

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

#938

Post by akimbostrawman »

sirjaz wrote: post #187

We as tech enthusiasts killed a viable 3rd option. For all its warts Microsoft created a great mobile os, but we killed it. If we could convince them to bring it back to be the true alternative to the existing duopoly in might fix these issues.

You mean the Microsoft that now requires a online microsoft account to use there desktop OS?

A viable 3rd option has existed for a very long time, AOSP and its forks.

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

#939

Post by akimbostrawman »

2OEH8eoCRo0 wrote: post #668

Programmers make the same Faustian bargain with all these "safe" languages. No, please, don't let me touch memory! It's too dangerous. Give me a nice bubble wrapped playpen to "program" in.

The actual issue would be that much of jailbreak and emulation utilize memory vulnerabilities to work.

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

#940

Post by BtTower »

monomial wrote: post #896
mixmastamyk wrote: post #882

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t use a bank with a phone. What do you do with it? (One exception, I used to scan checks five years ago, but thankfully that finally ended.)

Same. I have a very old iPhone stuck on an old version of iOS that's incompatible with most apps these days. In the rare case I need to deposit a check there are banks like Ally that don't have physical branch locations but still let you deposit checks via their website. I'm curious what people need a bank app for.

To send your money to someone else.
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