3 ms·

Most people don't even know what "Trusted Computing" is, leave alone why would they should be scared by that. Frankly, I am a bit tired of "open is good, close

Most people don't even know what "Trusted Computing" is, leave alone why would they should be scared by that. Frankly, I am a bit tired of "open is good, closed is bad" rubberstamping without putting much effort into thinking why is that and is it always the case. Reminds me "Four legs good, two legs bad" from the Animal Farm.

loup-vaillant 17y ago
What really scares me about the iPad is that as a whole, it is the ultimate consumer's device: you don't produce with the iPad. You don't produce with the iPad because of DRMs, lock down etc. You don't produce with the iPad because of the glorification of the "point and grunt" interface. You don't produce with the iPad because it is more like an interactive TV or a game console than a general purpose computer. If the iPad proves sufficient for most common customers and purposes, it could be successful. Worse, it could set an example. Worse, that new kind of computers could take over most of the world. A world of very very few producers, and many many consumers. Precisely what the internet allow us to avoid, and not very democratic to boot. This, is my "why". About the iPad, at least. Anyway, I don't think such a dystopia will occur. Yet I am certain that many people want it to occur. We have to fight them. I do by not buying the iPad, and telling whoever wants to hear it that this kind of device convey dangerous ideas.
- tedunangst 17y ago
  Why would people only interested in consuming pay extra for a "producer" computer that's harder to use? Do you also refuse to buy a TV that doesn't include a camera?
  - joe_the_user 17y ago
    You can get a netbook more cheaply than an iPad. Also, how many people will not be producers in any capacity at all? I mean, cut out the student, then cut out the managers and accountants, then the writers, then the geeks and designers. Cut out anyone who want to write long emails and even those who want to write long hn replies. I think you're left with a smaller group than you'd think.
- bitwize 17y ago
  What really scares me about the iPad is that as a whole, it is the ultimate consumer's device: you don't produce with the iPad. Of course not, silly, that's what Macs are for.
jcl 17y ago
Reminds me "Four legs good, two legs bad" from the Animal Farm. ...which, naturally, was the other well-known book that Amazon deleted from the Kindle. :)

loup-vaillant 17y ago

What really scares me about the iPad is that as a whole, it is the ultimate consumer's device: you don't produce with the iPad. You don't produce with the iPad because of DRMs, lock down etc. You don't produce with the iPad because of the glorification of the "point and grunt" interface. You don't produce with the iPad because it is more like an interactive TV or a game console than a general purpose computer. If the iPad proves sufficient for most common customers and purposes, it could be successful. Worse, it could set an example. Worse, that new kind of computers could take over most of the world. A world of very very few producers, and many many consumers. Precisely what the internet allow us to avoid, and not very democratic to boot. This, is my "why". About the iPad, at least. Anyway, I don't think such a dystopia will occur. Yet I am certain that many people want it to occur. We have to fight them. I do by not buying the iPad, and telling whoever wants to hear it that this kind of device convey dangerous ideas.

tedunangst 17y ago
Why would people only interested in consuming pay extra for a "producer" computer that's harder to use? Do you also refuse to buy a TV that doesn't include a camera?
- joe_the_user 17y ago
  You can get a netbook more cheaply than an iPad. Also, how many people will not be producers in any capacity at all? I mean, cut out the student, then cut out the managers and accountants, then the writers, then the geeks and designers. Cut out anyone who want to write long emails and even those who want to write long hn replies. I think you're left with a smaller group than you'd think.
bitwize 17y ago
What really scares me about the iPad is that as a whole, it is the ultimate consumer's device: you don't produce with the iPad. Of course not, silly, that's what Macs are for.

jcl 17y ago

Reminds me "Four legs good, two legs bad" from the Animal Farm. ...which, naturally, was the other well-known book that Amazon deleted from the Kindle. :)