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First they came for the crapware license deals, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Windows User. Then they came for spammer license deals, and I did

First they came for the crapware license deals, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Windows User. Then they came for spammer license deals, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Windows User. Then they came to install back doors, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Windows User. Then they came for my ability to install Linux—and there was no one left to speak for me.

davnicwil 10y ago
Let your wallet do the speaking. It's an open market and you have the choice of just buying from Lenovo's competitors - 'they' will then realise there's value in not doing this.
- ferbivore 10y ago
  No they won't. Lenovo doesn't care about losing you guys as customers, they care about the companies who buy thousands of the damn things so their employees can run Excel on Windows.
  - pmontra 10y ago
    You are probably right but the PR backslash could make them think twice before doing the same thing again. So it's still worth complaining and, why not, buying from somebody else and be very vocal about it. For sure, after SuperFish and this I won't consider or recommend Lenovo anymore.
  - davnicwil 10y ago
    I don't disagree with you, but nor do I particularly care about losing Lenovo as a supplier. If Lenovo lose customers over this, it may be the case that they won't care, but in that case a competitor will surely swoop in to catch those customers by supplying PCs that run Linux. In any case, the market should continue to supply machines that run Linux, as long as there is a demand for them. So if you demand a machine that runs Linux, just vote with your wallet!
kelnos 10y ago
C'mon, have some class. You're really going to co-opt a quote decrying war crimes and genocide to complain about not being able to install an alternative OS on your hardware?
- mverwijs 10y ago
  With closed source software, such as the firmwares and MacOSes of the world, it is impossible to have 'checks and balances'. Yet without computers to run and develop open software on, it is that much harder to create alternatives to those closed systems. I think this is very much a sliding scale. And that therefor the quote very much applies.
  - kelnos 10y ago
    I'm still a bit flabbergasted: you really truly believe that disallowing installing Linux on a particular brand/model of laptop is directly comparable to the forced labor and extermination of millions of Jewish people during WW2?
    - eth0up 10y ago
      I reluctantly comment here, but.. The misuse of technology (see: end of encryption; end of privacy; end of freedom; slippery slopes, etc.) could (by my perspective) lead to massive problems, including political/ideological persecution. However, "directly comparable" it probably isn't, yet. If (IF) a time comes when the only software available is proprietary, restrictive, invasive and possibly insecure, in a world where software is ubiquitous and often essential, I think that could be bad. The definition of fascism does come to mind.
      - mverwijs 10y ago
        The question that pops up into my mind is: what steps preceed such a world? Microsoft blocking installs of Linux on computers that I own, seems one of those steps to me.

davnicwil 10y ago

Let your wallet do the speaking. It's an open market and you have the choice of just buying from Lenovo's competitors - 'they' will then realise there's value in not doing this.

ferbivore 10y ago
No they won't. Lenovo doesn't care about losing you guys as customers, they care about the companies who buy thousands of the damn things so their employees can run Excel on Windows.
- pmontra 10y ago
  You are probably right but the PR backslash could make them think twice before doing the same thing again. So it's still worth complaining and, why not, buying from somebody else and be very vocal about it. For sure, after SuperFish and this I won't consider or recommend Lenovo anymore.
- davnicwil 10y ago
  I don't disagree with you, but nor do I particularly care about losing Lenovo as a supplier. If Lenovo lose customers over this, it may be the case that they won't care, but in that case a competitor will surely swoop in to catch those customers by supplying PCs that run Linux. In any case, the market should continue to supply machines that run Linux, as long as there is a demand for them. So if you demand a machine that runs Linux, just vote with your wallet!

kelnos 10y ago

C'mon, have some class. You're really going to co-opt a quote decrying war crimes and genocide to complain about not being able to install an alternative OS on your hardware?

mverwijs 10y ago
With closed source software, such as the firmwares and MacOSes of the world, it is impossible to have 'checks and balances'. Yet without computers to run and develop open software on, it is that much harder to create alternatives to those closed systems. I think this is very much a sliding scale. And that therefor the quote very much applies.
- kelnos 10y ago
  I'm still a bit flabbergasted: you really truly believe that disallowing installing Linux on a particular brand/model of laptop is directly comparable to the forced labor and extermination of millions of Jewish people during WW2?
  - eth0up 10y ago
    I reluctantly comment here, but.. The misuse of technology (see: end of encryption; end of privacy; end of freedom; slippery slopes, etc.) could (by my perspective) lead to massive problems, including political/ideological persecution. However, "directly comparable" it probably isn't, yet. If (IF) a time comes when the only software available is proprietary, restrictive, invasive and possibly insecure, in a world where software is ubiquitous and often essential, I think that could be bad. The definition of fascism does come to mind.
    - mverwijs 10y ago
      The question that pops up into my mind is: what steps preceed such a world? Microsoft blocking installs of Linux on computers that I own, seems one of those steps to me.