4 ms·

Not so much an "end" but more a bifurcation. Most people aren't hindered by a locked down machine. There will still be a market for computers like people on HN

Not so much an "end" but more a bifurcation. Most people aren't hindered by a locked down machine. There will still be a market for computers like people on HN use, but we will be the minority.

wyldfire 9y ago
> There will still be a market for computers like people on HN use, but we will be the minority. I think we will eventually be squeezed into a bin where we can no longer access economies of scale, so you're effectively paying for the general purpose computing. After decades of signed bootloaders being the norm, legislation may just come along and sign the death knell. Exemptions will be provided for industrial uses, but everyone else gets CFAA indictments.
- cm2187 9y ago
  But who is going to develop apps for these locked down platform? It is not in the interest of the OS maker to make it impossible for developpers to do their job. They need to have access to some open platform to attach debuggers, intercept and observe http traffic, develop and debug drivers, etc. Are windows, android and iOS apps all going to be developped on linux?
  - ethbro 9y ago
    Nokia seemed pretty happy and profitable when it was nigh impossible to develop for their devices. History went the other way eventually, but I think manufacturers still have a huge incentive to lock things down if they can get away with it.
    - cm2187 9y ago
      That was before they got competitors with thousands of apps.
  - pjc50 9y ago
    Paid developer licenses, like iOS. Or daft handicaps like Windows unsigned driver "Test Mode" watermarks.
- aidenn0 9y ago
  As an example of what this looks like, see the failed Talos motherboard; $3k for an (admittedly high-end) workstation motherboard is pretty steep.
- chx 9y ago
  This is what I posted on the topic seven years ago http://drupal4hu.com/future/freedom http://drupal4hu.com/future/freedom
- userbinator 9y ago
  I wonder if there will still be a small yet thriving enthusiast community around building, restoring, modding, etc. of "real computers" --- somewhat like what happened for old cars. Much like antique vehicles are not as safe (in all senses of the word) or efficient as new ones, and often cost more to maintain, but at the same time they are also simpler, more easily understood, and relatively free of outside (regulatory or otherwise) influence while providing mroe freedom and control to their owners; just like comparing an older, more open PC to the latest locked-down consumption-oriented gadget. After decades of signed bootloaders being the norm, legislation may just come along and sign the death knell. Exemptions will be provided for industrial uses, but everyone else gets CFAA indictments. Stallman's story is relevant as ever: https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.en.html https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.en.html

Not so much an "end" but more a bifurcation. Most people aren't hindered by a locked down machine. There will still be a market for computers like people on HN use, but we will be the minority.

wyldfire 9y ago

> There will still be a market for computers like people on HN use, but we will be the minority. I think we will eventually be squeezed into a bin where we can no longer access economies of scale, so you're effectively paying for the general purpose computing. After decades of signed bootloaders being the norm, legislation may just come along and sign the death knell. Exemptions will be provided for industrial uses, but everyone else gets CFAA indictments.

cm2187 9y ago
But who is going to develop apps for these locked down platform? It is not in the interest of the OS maker to make it impossible for developpers to do their job. They need to have access to some open platform to attach debuggers, intercept and observe http traffic, develop and debug drivers, etc. Are windows, android and iOS apps all going to be developped on linux?
- ethbro 9y ago
  Nokia seemed pretty happy and profitable when it was nigh impossible to develop for their devices. History went the other way eventually, but I think manufacturers still have a huge incentive to lock things down if they can get away with it.
  - cm2187 9y ago
    That was before they got competitors with thousands of apps.
- pjc50 9y ago
  Paid developer licenses, like iOS. Or daft handicaps like Windows unsigned driver "Test Mode" watermarks.
aidenn0 9y ago
As an example of what this looks like, see the failed Talos motherboard; $3k for an (admittedly high-end) workstation motherboard is pretty steep.
chx 9y ago
This is what I posted on the topic seven years ago http://drupal4hu.com/future/freedom http://drupal4hu.com/future/freedom
userbinator 9y ago
I wonder if there will still be a small yet thriving enthusiast community around building, restoring, modding, etc. of "real computers" --- somewhat like what happened for old cars. Much like antique vehicles are not as safe (in all senses of the word) or efficient as new ones, and often cost more to maintain, but at the same time they are also simpler, more easily understood, and relatively free of outside (regulatory or otherwise) influence while providing mroe freedom and control to their owners; just like comparing an older, more open PC to the latest locked-down consumption-oriented gadget. After decades of signed bootloaders being the norm, legislation may just come along and sign the death knell. Exemptions will be provided for industrial uses, but everyone else gets CFAA indictments. Stallman's story is relevant as ever: https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.en.html https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.en.html