FSF Warns: Stay Away From iPhones, Amazon, Netflix, and Music Steaming Services (fsf.org) 199
For the last thirteen years the Free Software Foundation has published its Ethical Tech Giving Guide. But what's interesting is this year's guide also tags companies and products with negative recommendations to "stay away from."
Stay away from: iPhones
It's not just Siri that's creepy: all Apple devices contain software that's hostile to users. Although they claim to be concerned about user privacy, they don't hesitate to put their users under surveillance.
Apple prevents you from installing third-party free software on your own phone, and they use this control to censor apps that compete with or subvert Apple's profits.
Apple has a history of exploiting their absolute control over their users to silence political activists and help governments spy on millions of users.
Stay away from: M1 MacBook and MacBook Pro
macOS is proprietary software that restricts its users' freedoms.
In November 2020, macOS was caught alerting Apple each time a user opens an app. Even though Apple is making changes to the service, it just goes to show how bad they try to be until there is an outcry.
Comes crawling with spyware that rats you out to advertisers.
Stay away from: Amazon
Amazon is one of the most notorious DRM offenders. They use this Orwellian control over their devices and services to spy on users and keep them trapped in their walled garden.
Be aware that Amazon isn't the peddler of ebook DRM. Disturbingly, it's enthusiastically supported by most of the big publishing houses.
Read more about the dangers of DRM through our Defective by Design campaign.
Stay away from: Spotify, Apple Music, and all other major streaming services
In addition to streaming music encumbered by DRM, people who want to use Spotify are required to install additional proprietary software. Even Spotify's client for GNU/Linux relies on proprietary software.
Apple Music is no better, and places heavy restrictions on the music streamed through the platform.
Stay away from: Netflix
Netflix is continuing its disturbing trend of making onerous DRM the norm for streaming media. That's why they were a target for last year's International Day Against DRM (IDAD).
They're also leveraging their place in the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to advocate for tighter restrictions on users, and drove the effort to embed DRM into the fabric of the Web.
"In your gift giving this year, put freedom first," their guide begins.
And for a freedom-respecting last-minute gift idea, they suggest giving the gift of a FSF membership (which comes with a code and a printable page "so that you can present your gift as a physical object, if you like.") The membership is valid for one year, and includes the many benefits that come with an FSF associate membership, including a USB member card, email forwarding, access to our Jitsi Meet videoconferencing server and member forum, discounts in the FSF shop and on ThinkPenguin hardware, and more.
If you are in the United States, your gift would also be fully tax-deductible in the USA.
It's not just Siri that's creepy: all Apple devices contain software that's hostile to users. Although they claim to be concerned about user privacy, they don't hesitate to put their users under surveillance.
Apple prevents you from installing third-party free software on your own phone, and they use this control to censor apps that compete with or subvert Apple's profits.
Apple has a history of exploiting their absolute control over their users to silence political activists and help governments spy on millions of users.
Stay away from: M1 MacBook and MacBook Pro
macOS is proprietary software that restricts its users' freedoms.
In November 2020, macOS was caught alerting Apple each time a user opens an app. Even though Apple is making changes to the service, it just goes to show how bad they try to be until there is an outcry.
Comes crawling with spyware that rats you out to advertisers.
Stay away from: Amazon
Amazon is one of the most notorious DRM offenders. They use this Orwellian control over their devices and services to spy on users and keep them trapped in their walled garden.
Be aware that Amazon isn't the peddler of ebook DRM. Disturbingly, it's enthusiastically supported by most of the big publishing houses.
Read more about the dangers of DRM through our Defective by Design campaign.
Stay away from: Spotify, Apple Music, and all other major streaming services
In addition to streaming music encumbered by DRM, people who want to use Spotify are required to install additional proprietary software. Even Spotify's client for GNU/Linux relies on proprietary software.
Apple Music is no better, and places heavy restrictions on the music streamed through the platform.
Stay away from: Netflix
Netflix is continuing its disturbing trend of making onerous DRM the norm for streaming media. That's why they were a target for last year's International Day Against DRM (IDAD).
They're also leveraging their place in the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to advocate for tighter restrictions on users, and drove the effort to embed DRM into the fabric of the Web.
"In your gift giving this year, put freedom first," their guide begins.
And for a freedom-respecting last-minute gift idea, they suggest giving the gift of a FSF membership (which comes with a code and a printable page "so that you can present your gift as a physical object, if you like.") The membership is valid for one year, and includes the many benefits that come with an FSF associate membership, including a USB member card, email forwarding, access to our Jitsi Meet videoconferencing server and member forum, discounts in the FSF shop and on ThinkPenguin hardware, and more.
If you are in the United States, your gift would also be fully tax-deductible in the USA.
At first I thought it was EFF (Score:5, Interesting)
Not paying too close attention and thought it was EFF and not FSF. I get FSF's position and tend to agree from their perspective... but why no alternatives? Also, can't the M1 laptops run Linux?
If the EFF was singling out Apple and Amazon and not a few other notorious offenders I would be much more disappointed. They should be advocating ad blockers though...
Re:At first I thought it was EFF (Score:5, Interesting)
It's one of those things that it can run it today, but might not tomorrow for so many reasons.
Re: At first I thought it was EFF (Score:4)
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The FSF gives us great open source tools, but nothing more.
Oh, just the basis of computing as we know it today? Is that all?
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How many Linux Desktop Environments have you tried, and which ones were they? If you only tried Linux once, with whatever DE came with the distro by default, you have no grounds for claiming that Linux has a horrid GUI; just that you didn't like the only one you used.
Re: At first I thought it was EFF (Score:2)
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*This might nit be the case if you are narrjed to some soesifiv plugins and/or exchange projects with other adobe users
Re: At first I thought it was EFF (Score:2)
Re: At first I thought it was EFF (Score:2)
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Date: 2 Apr 1986 00:29 EST (Wed)
From: RNS%MIT-PREP.ARPA%CCC.MIT.EDU@XX.LCS.MIT.EDU
Subject: Sample April Fools message
Organization: Free Hardware Foundation
Now available from Project Knu is our new FREE Vax-11/780 compatible
computer.
The Free Hardware Foundation opposes the tyranny of hardware manufacturers
not allowing everyone to have one of their machines for free.
With volunteer labor, we have built a machine just like the VAX-11/780,
even down to its nameplate.
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Not paying too close attention and thought it was EFF and not FSF. I get FSF's position and tend to agree from their perspective... but why no alternatives? Also, can't the M1 laptops run Linux?
If the EFF was singling out Apple and Amazon and not a few other notorious offenders I would be much more disappointed. They should be advocating ad blockers though...
All this perl-clutching about Apple, and yet not word one about Microsoft?
Riiight.
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"Please allow me to retort".
iPhone and MacBook - There is nothing on these devices that will "take away your freedom" or prevent you from doing whatever you want. You should avoid them simply because they are over-priced mediocre crap.
"People who want to use Spotify are required to install additional proprietary software" - Absolutely false. I'm listening to music on Spotify right now, just using my (open source) web browser. No "proprietary software" needed.
Amazon, Netflix, Apple Music - As much as I dislike DRM as a matter of principle, it is not the problem that the FSF is trying to make it out to be. DRM is a non-issue if all you are doing is streaming content over the Internet. DRM on ebooks sucks, but ebooks are stupid and pointless and if you buy them you get what you deserve. Buy real books.
Apple Music has a Web Portal as well.
https://music.apple.com/us/bro... [apple.com]
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=... [youtube.com]
The FSF is a disingenuous, lying, POS.
Spotify without Widevine CDM? (Score:2)
How well do Apple Music and Spotify work if you refuse to install Widevine or FairPlay or whatever other proprietary CDM (Content Decryption Module) these services use into your free software web browser?
Better warn Linus, stat! (Score:3, Insightful)
"Stay away from: M1 MacBook and MacBook Pro"
Apparently Mr. Torvalds is oblivious to the dangers of Apple hardware... doesn't Richard have his contact info? Why didn't he warn Linus?
I want to like the FSF - I really do - but they insist on ranting like the old crazy "prophet" living in a cardboard box under the freeway.
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"Stay away from: M1 MacBook and MacBook Pro"
Apparently Mr. Torvalds is oblivious to the dangers of Apple hardware... doesn't Richard have his contact info? Why didn't he warn Linus?
I want to like the FSF - I really do - but they insist on ranting like the old crazy "prophet" living in a cardboard box under the freeway.
The QAnon of computing devices, the FSF
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Do you have a newsletter?
No, but we have T-Shirts!
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The QAnon of computing devices, the FSF
When the FSF starts creating products that are just as good as Apple, Amazon, ,Spotify, Netflix, etc... then I will start listening to them. Until then, Stallman is a nutjob who can be safely ignored.
When you use "free" software you get exactly what you paid for. And yes, I know that "free" in this context means "freedom" not price. But I use a lot of the Evil Proprietary Software© that the FSF hates -- due to 99% of "free" software being unusable crap --and I have never been prevented from doing exactly what I want. Never. Ever.
Surprised anyone marked you Offtopic. Yes, sometimes you gotta use what you gotta use.
It's a matter of knowing the risks. About the riskiest thing I do is buy stuff on line. For that I use one computer. I will note that my Windows machines - I find that Pinterest magically shows stuff I've searched for - that tells me something.
But the thing is knowledge, and knowing it's a constantly changing landscape of selling your information. Anyhow, anyone doing anything sketchy on a computer needs to understa
Hardly. (Score:3)
I don't think FSF is "ranting like the old crazy" guy; they are saying vote with your wallet and don't support restrictive vendors like Apple.
It's hard to deny how controlling Apple is, generally to the detriment of competition and consumer choice although they try to sell it as protecting the consumer against the evil that lurks in the open market. The FSF is saying don't support that business model: spend your bucks elsewhere. I tend to agree.
Hardly mad ranting.
Confession: I currently own an iPad beca
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And yet the FSF are the "crazy people living in a cardboard box." They produce nothing of value, just publish crap stuff like this to get donations.
And of course, everyone knows that vi and it's variants won, emacs lost.
But hey, how about that GNU HURD? After 32 years, why aren't hosting providers offering it alongside linux and bsd if it's so advanced?
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wtf are you babbling about
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Stopped reading when the parent fails to be able to tell the difference between the FSF and GNU.
If it were not for the FSF, you would be paying $10.00 an hour to use a 2400 baud modem to access an information service, have to beg the mods to approve any posts you send, and any software you would want to download would be DRMed so highly, you would think a late gen console was a bastion of freedom. In fact, you may not even have a computer, but be using a set-top box on your TV and hoping you bought the mod
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I'm surprised that Linus went for a MacBook. I guess he is rich enough that he doesn't care and it being non upgradable, i.e. disposable. Interesting challenge to get Linux running on it, optimise for ARM a bit.
There are so many better choices though. Has he ever explained it?
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Is the battery life good on Linux though? MacOS is aggressive with power management in a way that Linux might not be able to match.
Personally I can live with just 20 hours of battery life from a Ryzen machine like a Z16.
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Is the battery life good on Linux though? MacOS is aggressive with power management in a way that Linux might not be able to match.
Is that relevant for the average user? People that buy Macs are generally not buying them to put Linux on them. I get that we're also talking about Linus using the M2 with Asahi. I don't have specific numbers. I can only say that I see people online talking about how good the battery life is. For example, someone was claiming 1W idle with screen off and 3W with screen on low brightness. Another saying they don't really notice much difference in battery life with Asahi vs Macos.
Personally I can live with just 20 hours of battery life from a Ryzen machine like a Z16.
Which is all well and good, if
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I was talking about Linus.
The Z16 gets about 18 hours with web surfing and media.
Re: Better warn Linus, stat! (Score:2)
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This isn't his first MacBook Air [cultofmac.com]. That article is from 10 years ago - but, in it, it sounds like "thin, light and quiet" are very high on his priority list.
I am pretty sure I've heard he's also used some non-Apple laptops in the interim between back then and now.
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Macbooks are pretty cheap on the second hand market. Macbook Air A1466 2017 release with a 1.8~2.2GHz / 8GB combo can be picked up for $300~$400 and it's a good machine.
Macbooks are value for money in many cases but perhaps not in the lens of "How many ops can we do per $ invested in the machine". Once you get over the ops/$ mindset you see the value in devices like Macbooks and iPhones. I've been developing for open source since the 90s and long been a *BSD/linux person as well as an electronics engin
Re: Better warn Linus, stat! (Score:2)
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I want to like the FSF - I really do - but they insist on ranting like the old crazy "prophet" living in a cardboard box under the freeway.
The FSF is what happens when a group is ruled by idealism. Their values become a sort of religion. They are well meaning in their pursuit of using technology ethically, but in doing so they have created these rigid rules that are completely detached from any normal system of ethics. In a way, they've become a sort of techno-cult. Everything is about being kosher and no one considers whether being kosher is pragmatic, desirable, or even ethical.
Re:Better warn Linus, stat! (Score:4, Informative)
For Streaming chose Tidal... (Score:2)
If you hate DRM Tidal is not the worst choice. At least they support third party (DJ) software,
so you don't need to use Tidal's official client to access the music. Which limits the spying on
you to the music you actually play (which is fair game, since your plays pay the artists) - also
said DJ software lets you mix Tidal music with local files and you can record the result, if you
really want to.
How about no. (Score:3, Insightful)
I'd rather stay away from FSF. Fanatics, on all sides, are bad news.
I use the tool that gets the job done and if that's Mac, that's fine. Windows? No problem. Linux? Works for me.
Missing the point. (Score:4, Insightful)
I use the tool that gets the job done and if that's Mac, that's fine. Windows? No problem. Linux? Works for me.
The point here is that you should promote freedom to a place above convenience. All of their recommendations are to avoid promoting DRM in exchange for a convenient tool when other tools to do the same job also exist.
Effectively, the FSF is suggesting you go out of your way to ensure your money goes toward goods and services that do NOT seek to restrict your rights and your response was to make it clear that you take your rights for granted.
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The point here is that you should...
I guess that depends on who "you" is and on the reasons behind "should". I get that Richard Stallman and the good people at the FSF consider software freedom to be a moral issue of high importance, but not everyone does. Apparently, derplord does not.
Maybe Stallman has a point though... software that I don't write myself has been pissing me off more and more lately. That said, making all software modifiable by the end user might not solve that problem these days, given how large many common codebases hav
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The point here is that you should...
I guess that depends on who "you" is and on the reasons behind "should".
The non-moralistic reason is so that it's possible to inspect and/or modify the software if you wish.
That said, making all software modifiable by the end user might not solve that problem these days,
I disagree as just because a single person won't tackle the problem doesn't mean that nobody will.
given how large many common codebases have become and the associated steep learning curve for an individual.
Codebases only become oversized for either ill-maintained software incorporates functionalities that should be in separate projects/libraries (usually duplicative work) and software that does more than it should. Chrome is a good example of software that both incorporates functionalities that should be in separ
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I encourage you to take a closer look at the principles of free software and the work that the FSF is doing. We are not fanatics, but rather a group of individuals who are passionate about technology and its po
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I once saw Stallmann talk and spoke to him and, frankly, sane is not the word I would use to describe him. Acted like a religious fanatic, dressed like religious fanatic, spoke like one. He ever wore a robe and had a disk platter on his head to himself look like Jesus. Total nutjob.
Should probably just avoid anything Apple (Score:2)
Here is what Tim Cook has to say [youtu.be] about Apple's relationship to the Chinese regime.
One big no problem with this (Score:3)
The marketplace doesnâ(TM)t care about any of this- the market cares about library selection and convenience. Amazon Netflix and Spotify are what they are because of convenience and catalog. Until the free software community can compete then this is all just whining. PS apple products are popular because their stuff just works- no root, download and sideboard esoteric software to make them work.
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Kodi is the biggest competitor to the streaming services. Just needs a really good built in BitTorrent client with calendar function. I know there are some but they aren't what you would call a great user experience.
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The marketplace doesnâ(TM)t care about any of this- the market cares about library selection and convenience. Amazon Netflix and Spotify are what they are because of convenience and catalog. Until the free software community can compete then this is all just whining. PS apple products are popular because their stuff just works- no root, download and sideboard esoteric software to make them work.
It doesn't just work ... it works and works and works and works. Iphone 7, more than 6 years old, currently downloading the latest update. The open source phones that claim they will give 6 years of updates are full of crap - they don't actually write the updates themselves, they just package whatever updates the community creates.
Steaming or Streaming? (Score:3)
For Steaming Services I use the local dry cleaner.
I wonder what editor services exist in the world as a gift to Slashdot.
Steaming... as in PC games? (Score:2)
I was under the impression that Valve was providing Steaming services to PC gamers around the world.
Which raises a question: Has the FSF figured out an adequate replacement for video games in popular genres? Is there a tournament-grade free software replacement for *Street Fighter* or *Super Smash Bros.* or other products familiar to members of the esports community?
Better yet, just ignore the FSF (Score:2, Flamebait)
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"STAY AWAY FROM BIG TECH!! ANYTHING BUT OSS & LINUX IS BAD"
HOW DARE YOU!?!! It's GNU/Linux!!! You need to support FSF so they can better educate ignoramuses such as yourself regarding the proper label for GNU/Linux.
A Funny Streaming Service Observation (Score:3)
I noticed this some time ago but just double checked to make sure. Your mileage may vary.
I do a lot of movie reviews and out of Netflix, Crackle, Freevee, Peacock and Tubi...Tubi is the only one of them which lets you take a screen shot.
All the others give you a black screen when you try to do one. (Using a Mac if that would have made any difference.)
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Ummm... no? (Score:2)
So I actually know who they are and what they stand for (more or less). And if somebody were to "gift me" a membership they would get a quizzical stare, a very polite thanks, and the courtesy of me waiting until they're gone before binning it. Imagine what people with less context than me would think.
I've filed them away with PETA. Reasonable ideas drowned out in an ocean of bad presentation.
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From the FSF site:
Your friend, colleague, or loved one will be able to redeem their membership from the moment your donation is complete. After donating, you'll receive a code and a printable page so that you can present your gift as a physical object, if you like. The membership is valid for one year, and includes the many benefits that come with an FSF associate membership, including a USB member card, email forwarding, access to our Jitsi Meet videoconferencing server and member forum, discounts in the FSF shop and on ThinkPenguin hardware, and more.
So the only tangible benefit for most people is a mail forwarding service ...
Of course, for $120 a year you can get your own domain, hosted on a vps, and your own email addresses, and your own web site, etc. But that's too much freedom I guess.
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Of course, for $120 a year you can get your own domain, hosted on a vps, and your own email addresses, and your own web site, etc. But that's too much freedom I guess.
Woah, there, let's not get hasty. Is that domain hosted on a server running free software? What license do you plan to use for the website? You plan wouldn't result in freedom of any morally significant sort if you were to implement it using non-free software.
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Of course, for $120 a year you can get your own domain, hosted on a vps, and your own email addresses, and your own web site, etc. But that's too much freedom I guess.
Woah, there, let's not get hasty. Is that domain hosted on a server running free software? What license do you plan to use for the website? You plan wouldn't result in freedom of any morally significant sort if you were to implement it using non-free software.
What if it's hosted on a free software VPS running on a free software hypervisor BUT the hypervisor is also running other VPSes that run non-free software? You have no way of knowing! So all VPSes are unethical.
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GPL == restrictions on what you can do.
Public domain == do whatever you damn well please.
Which is freer? Obviously not the GPL.
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My site is hosted on a VPS running linux. As for the software that runs the site, I wrote it myself and I'm not sharing it. I'm exercising MY freedom, which includes the freedom not to be nagged by freebooters who want everything for nothing, including support. However, I've placed the results of my research into the public domain on that site, and public domain is FAR freer than any version of the GPL.
Where's the warning to... (Score:2)
The FSF Still Doesn't Get It (Score:5, Interesting)
The FSF doesn't seem to be able to address the real problem: the absence of alternatives.
"Stay away from Apple" only goes so far, since they don't have a recommendation for a single laptop or phone, released in 2022, which meets their criteria for being "free enough".
"Stay away from music streaming services" only goes so far, since the closest thing to a viable alternative is "keep buying CDs". This is fine to a certain extent, but less and less music is being pressed to CD. A few services still allow MP3 downloads (Amazon Music, incidently, being the most notable one), but they won't like the proprietary client required to do so.
"Stay away from Netflix", and presumably Hulu, D+, and all the other streaming services that rely on DRM, which is 100% of them (possibly exempting CuriosityStream). Their solution......is what, exactly? Don't watch movies or TV shows? That's really the only viable solution; DVD and BD releases have a bunch of DRM as well.
So...in practice, the FSF's advice is "don't have a smartphone or a current-gen laptop, don't listen to recent music, and don't watch movies or TV". And this, friends, is why the FSF gets ignored.
What the FSF really needs to do is to do one of two things. First, completely stay in their lane, keep making the GCC and other Free Software that 99.9999% of society will never directly interact with, and ignore everything else. The second, and more preferable option as far as I'm concerned, is for the FSF to start funding solutions.
The FSF doesn't like Apple phones, and they don't like Google-blessed Android phones...the solution is to get a Free Software Phone OS, and contract a hardware OEM to do a run of 50,000 phones that the FSF is then responsible to sell. Let the first 1,000 be sold as collector's items, maybe autographed by the FSF team, and let the rest start making inroads into the space.
Similarly, make a deal with Lenovo or Dell or someone to make a Free Software Laptop, with all the FSF-blessed hardware for which FSF-blessed drivers can be produced, that ships with an FSF-blessed operating system (not Haiku), and guarantee that the OEM can sell 75,000 units, or the FSF will buy the difference.
Then, let's get a Creative Commons streaming service together. Let artists and filmmakers conjure up a few interesting titles and let the FSF handle marketing and promotion of this service.
Ultimately, the FSF is only going to go so far if their general advice lacks meaningful alternatives, which is the case presented. If they can say, "don't get an iPhone; we've partnered with Foxconn to make this $599 handset that is viable as a daily driver, runs Free Software out of the box, and has an unlocked bootloader so you can load whatever you want onto it", it at least shows a willingness to provide an actual alternative. In its absence, however, an eye roll is all they'll get from pretty much everyone who wasn't involved in writing it.
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Re:The FSF Still Doesn't Get It (Score:4, Insightful)
First, completely stay in their lane, keep making the GCC and other Free Software that 99.9999% of society will never directly interact with
Ok, granted, but when I wanted a simple-to-install C++ toolchain for windows recently, I discovered that the only free C/C++ runtime for win32 is mingw. You might think you could use clang/LLVM on windows, and you can! But you still need a C/C++ runtime, and that means either paying for visual studio or using mingw.
So, yes, I may be in the minority, but FSF ended up doing me a solid. I wrote some C++ code to solve a problem at work, didn't want to jump through the hoops to purchase a Visual Studio license, and mingw came through. Totally recommend winlibs: https://winlibs.com/ [winlibs.com].
There is something to be said for FSF's somewhat fanatical stance on software freedom helping to preserve the accessibility of general purpose computing in practice. I'd be sorely tempted to absolutely minimize my use of computers if I couldn't run my own code on them, you know?
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Re: The FSF Still Doesn't Get It (Score:2)
The problem is what you suggest requires the FSF do something besides whine and pontificate, and thats a big no no.
Notice who they give a pass to (Score:2)
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Google.
Yep, the FSF sure cares about your rights.
I noticed that, too.
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There's currently no cell phone on the market that's fully compatible with user freedom, given the presence of nonfree software in iOS and Android. What makes matters worse is that all smartphones currently run a separate, nonfree OS commonly referred to as the "mobile baseband," which is responsible for most of the device's communications.
I certainly get that FSF is a kook organization these days, but I'm pretty sure you're trying to find some nefarious thing that isn't there. The only mobile OS they have anything nice to say about is a non-Google build of Android, and everything else is explicitly crap.
Try to remember, summary != article.
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They hate Google too. Google just doesnt make many devices, and thus not relevent when warning against various devices.
Quick PSA (Score:2)
I'd like to make a quick PSA that if you're looking for unencumbered sources of entertainment for your digital devices, the text editors vi and emacs have been providing decades of entertainment without DRM. If social media is more your thing, there are plenty of bulletin board services, and Slashdot itself, where you can start flamewars about vi vs. emacs.
FSF needs to pick its fights. (Score:2)
This looks like a scatter shot against the wall to see what sticks. Unfortunately several of the points are counterintuitive.
DRM is evil, it restricted what you do with devices and media you own. But you don't own a streaming service so I find it incredibly difficult to give a shit that streams are DRM encumbered.
If they don't stop crying wolf they risk turning themselves into a laughing stock.
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What makes streaming superior? Bandcamp purchases are DRM-free.
Yea the will go well (Score:2)
After all their drivel, buy a membership (Score:2)
Stay away from telling me to stay away? (Score:2)
Free world, so I'll choose what the heck I want.
Do I get the notion that the world is rapidly on the road to being run by a handful of big tech companies and partially is already?
Sure.
Is there anything I can do about it?
Nope.
"Use free software!"
Sure, I'll just go and tell everyone I know to do the same "What are you talking about?" "Are you crazy?" "Who the heck is FSF?"
I love my macBooks, I love Spotify, NetFlix is ok.
So, what, I'm going to cut of my nose to spite my face?
Get real.
Please develop open hardware then (Score:2)
For mobile I need:
1) Text and calling
2) Maps with decent directions
3) A functional/modern web browser
4) A great camera
5) Great audio/DAC/DSP with Bluetooth 5.2+
6) eSIM support
7) Decent text input(touchscreen or physical keyboard)
8) Great battery life
Tha
Interesting mention of Epic (Score:2)
"Music Steaming Services" (Score:2)
"Music Steaming Services"
Music should be sautéed or broiled, never steamed.
Re: Game shows! (Score:2)
As a fan of free and open source software, the fact that I can install whatever software I choose is the reason I own a gaming PC and a Nokia C01 Android handset rather than a PlayStation or an iPhone.
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As a fan of free and open source software, the fact that I can install whatever software I choose is the reason I own a gaming PC and a Nokia C01 Android handset rather than a PlayStation or an iPhone.
Great! Ever install wireshark and see what it is doing? Note - some people do this and don't like what they see.
Re: Game shows! (Score:2)
I am well aware that these devices send all sorts of data to who knows where. But it's not like anyone makes a cellphone that is any better when it comes to being free as in freedom (freedom to install the software of my choice and freedom not to be spied on)
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Great! Ever install wireshark and see what it is doing? Note - some people do this and don't like what they see.
You think you're arguing against Free Software, but all of your arguments are pro-Free Software.
What you're saying is, "Your gaming PC [Windows] is doing things behind your back that you won't like." Of course it is. Windows is closed software than can do anything, especially when it's detrimental to users, and most people will never be able to do anything about it. That's a major reason for a Free operating system like Linux.
You're also saying, "Android is doing things behind your back you won't like." Of
Re: Game shows! (Score:2)
Oh no my software is doing all the things the EULA says it does! Who cares? You think anonymity on the internet is possible? Hahaha!
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Great! Ever install wireshark and see what it is doing? Note - some people do this and don't like what they see.
You think you're arguing against Free Software, but all of your arguments are pro-Free Software.
What you're saying is, "Your gaming PC [Windows] is doing things behind your back that you won't like." Of course it is. Windows is closed software than can do anything, especially when it's detrimental to users, and most people will never be able to do anything about it. That's a major reason for a Free operating system like Linux.
I use Linux whenever I can, when you are familiar with Unix - the basis of MacOS, switching between is pretty easy.
But my issue is that the FSF is being pretty kooky if they think that MacOS and iOS is a security threat, and never mention Android. Just sayin - the average joe will read this and think My Android is much safer, FSF is blaming problems on Apple.
You're also saying, "Android is doing things behind your back you won't like." Of course it is, as large chunks of the code necessary to power a sma
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This reads as a hit piece on Apple, pure and simple.
That is dishonesty in reportage of the highest order on their part [. . .]
There it is. The bottom line.
Re: Game shows! (Score:2)
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Free and open software more secure? You can no longer say that with a straight face - it was a year ago that log4shell (log4j) crapped out most enterprise servers around the world. Open source, the bug had been known for 8 years, nobody fixed it. A solid 10 out of 10 on the cve vulnerability scale.
Re: Game shows! (Score:2)
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Have you installed Wireshark on an idevice? Oh shit, you can't on virtually all of them?
Ever read conversations and seen what they are referring to? Guy owns a gaming PC.
But since we're here, you can use Wireshark on a real computer to capture your iPhone's traffic in and out https://medium.com/geekculture... [medium.com]
There is also a program called Wireshark helper you can get at the app store.
These are things that are probably beyond the basic user's ability, but there you are. I haven't investigated the Android side - I store nothing of importance on my couple Android devices
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"Imagine that these people consider the ability to install any software form anywhere on an android phone is a strong security measure" Image that having the personal freedom to do something is seen as a negative.
Pretty simplistic thinking there Sparky!
But hey - if you find that your ability to install malware on your Samsumg is personal freedom, then I wish you whatever happens. doesn't matter a whole lot to me other than discussion of what I consider silliness.
You see, a smartphone is a liddle weak computing device, an appliance that I want to work when I pick it up - just like I want my Television, car, Refrigerator stove or commode to work.
If the phone is your raison d'être and not being able to mes
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if you find that your ability to install malware on your Samsumg is personal freedom
The ability to do so is not a requirement to do so. Typical Apple users should never leave the walled garden, even if they can.
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if you find that your ability to install malware on your Samsumg is personal freedom
The ability to do so is not a requirement to do so. Typical Apple users should never leave the walled garden, even if they can.
What does that even mean? away from my phone, I can easily load anything I want (even some things I write) Unix people using Macs are in general pretty darn competent. I spend as much time in terminal as in regular programs. The incompetence of Apple users is a meme, not an actual fact. Are their people using them who are the grandma users? Hell yeah. My experience getting Android or Windows users shows that claims of Mac User incompetence are pretty specious, and that at worst, comparable to basic Android
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Also, sorry gramps, but today's smartphones aren't liddle weak computing devices. They can also be plugged into a monitor to run real software. Maybe ol Timmy won't let you use your smartphone like that though, huh?
Go back to watching Fox News, because you clearly are too senile to understand the real world anymore.
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Ok boomer, you really want to accuse someone of simplistic thinking when your entire argument revolves around that if something can happen, it mandatorily must happen? Also, sorry gramps, but today's smartphones aren't liddle weak computing devices. They can also be plugged into a monitor to run real software. Maybe ol Timmy won't let you use your smartphone like that though, huh? Go back to watching Fox News, because you clearly are too senile to understand the real world anymore.
Ohhh, I touched a nerve there! And you gave me much booboo feelings. Nahh, I did have a chuckle though Your insults are weak and overused, even if you personally are getting spittle all over your phone or keyboard.
If you want to insult me, you have to do a whole lot better than that. But you and I both know you can't. Your lame pissed off rant shows my original assessment was 100 percent spot on. You are just basic.
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You see, a smartphone is a liddle weak computing device, an appliance that I want to work when I pick it up
You better not use an iPhone then.
I'm sure this was a quip, but my iPhones integrate really well with my Macs, my SO's iPad, her iPhone, and Carplay in out Jeeps. I answer, call and speak and speak on all our devices, and. having experience with Android devices, it isn't nearly as integrated.
One of the issues with discussing different devices and operating systems with me is that what I am doing requires me to have pretty in-depth knowledge of each. Anyhow, have a good holiday season, however you celebrate it
Re: Game shows! (Score:2)
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Looking this over one might wonder why there is the conspicuous absence of the name Microsoft.
Who funds these people?
I wondered that as well.
Re: Equality. (Score:2)
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Meh.
The main attack surface is the web, not apps for many people because the web is what they use most.
Apple force their crap browser with weak privacy controls onto you. So yeah no thanks, I'll stick with firefox, thanks, which means android.
Re: since the only alternative to iphone (Score:2)