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This is the way technology has always progressed. The first cars required extensive knowledge to drive and were completely open to modification. Modern cars d
by amock 17y ago
This is the way technology has always progressed. The first cars required extensive knowledge to drive and were completely open to modification. Modern cars don't even allow you to adjust the choke and the gas pedal isn't hooked up to the engine directly. When you push on the gas the cars computer decides how much gas to feed the engine. Modern cameras come in two different varieties: cameras for normal people and professional cameras. Why would computers be any different? I can't think of any technology that became mainstream without there being a dumbed-down version for people to use. I think by your definition most people are luddites. They aren't interested in technology, they're just interested in the benefits it provides.
- leviathant 17y agoYou can still do plenty of tinkering with cars. In fact, one of the things that I love about Hyundai is that last I looked, they provide their entire tech/service manual free, online. I used this to swap out my thermostat, to replace the fuel filter, to swap in a bigger sway bar, to take apart my dashboard, all kinds of things I'd never really even thought of handling myself, except that the information was there for me. By comparison, you're not supposed to change your iPad's battery by yourself.
- roc 17y agoYou can still do plenty of tinkering with some cars. E.g. you're not supposed to change the battery on the Prius yourself either. Suffice to say, not all manufacturers are the same and not all products are the same. And frankly, so long as the tinkerers are being serviced, I don't see society as having lost anything yet, just because a single more appliance-y product has hit the market. And --specifically to the matter at hand-- particularly not when the appliance-y product in question has a first-class, standards-compliant web browser.
- sstrudeau 17y agoRight, but if you were to change the battery in your Prius (and publish instructions on how to do it) you might void your warranty but you're not going to get sued under the DMCA. It seems insane to me that something that could have dangerous side effects (changing a battery in a complex vehicle) is less regulated than code.
- johSho7w 17y agoDon't you usually pay more for the "professional" cameras or the "professional" phones. Apple seems to play it the other way. Charging more for the dumber hardware.