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Why is it that farmers don't have a right to modify and fix equipment that they purchased in 2017 because some software they didn't ask to be installed on their
by save_ferris 10y ago
Why is it that farmers don't have a right to modify and fix equipment that they purchased in 2017 because some software they didn't ask to be installed on their equipment prevents them from doing what they've been able to do for generations?
Up until a few years ago, farmers used to be able to buy farm equipment with the understanding that they could fix it whenever issues arose and didn't need a gatekeeper to come fix their hardware.
- maxerickson 10y agoI suspect the main reason is that it makes economic sense to most farmers to keep buying the tractors, despite the gatekeeper. Sucks, but there you go. If they managed (as a group) not to buy the tractors, the gatekeeper would go away.
- statictype 10y ago>because some software they didn't ask to be installed on their equipment Are you sure about this? From the article: today's tractors are high-tech machines that can steer themselves by GPS, you also need a software key — to fix the programs that make a tractor run properly So - its not the same as the tractors they purchased a few years ago. Maybe they didn't buy the tractor specifically for those features or maybe you can't even buy a tractor today without those features, but they probably knew what they were getting into before they bought it. Its not a great situation for farmers who don't want those extra bells and whistles but it is what it is.