7 ms·
Game consoles also disallow running any software you may want and you can only run whatever is sanctioned by the console makers. This is the #1 reason i do not
by Crinus 7y ago
Game consoles also disallow running any software you may want and you can only run whatever is sanctioned by the console makers. This is the #1 reason i do not buy any console and the reason that instead of getting something like the Switch i got a GPD Win instead (a gaming handheld PC that runs x86 Windows, although you can install Linux if you want too) even though it is more expensive: i can run anything i want on it without requiring approval from anyone (in fact so far i only have used games from my GOG catalog and the installation process was just copying the installers to a USB from my main PC and running them on the GPD Win).
Being able to do that isn't just a nice thing to have, it is a downright mandatory ability any computer must have.
- pjmlp 7y agoWhich is something that malware authors and virus writers are very thankful for.
- jotm 7y agoThose who would trade freedom for security will have neither. You're more likely to get seriously scammed in a browser than by an actual malware/virus.
- pjmlp 7y agoCar seat belts and helmets don't prevent accidents, but they surely improve survival rates.
- jotm 7y agoYou can remove them anytime. Do you really want your car to not start at all if the seatbelt is not on? I'm sure that would improve survival rate by something like 0.1%, too.
- pjmlp 7y agoActually there are models that already do it. https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/new-general-motors-feature-wont-let-you-drive-without-your-seat-belt-225935 https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/new-general-motors-featu...
- Crinus 7y agoThis is optional, available only for specific professional uses and above all: wearing a belt doesn't impact where you can go, whereas a locked down OS does impact what you run on it.
- pjmlp 7y agoAs developer I can run anything thanks license. As consumer, app stores are more than proven.
- Crinus 7y ago> As developer I can run anything thanks license. I cannot parse this, what do you mean? > As consumer, app stores are more than proven. I do not have any problem with app stores as long as they are not tied to a locked down OS. See Steam or any Linux repository front-end as an example of app stores that do it right.
- Crinus 7y agoSure, but the alternative is much worse so i'm perfectly fine with that.
- pjmlp 7y agoSome people also drive cars without seat belts or motorbikes without helmets in name of freedom. I rather have the inconvenience of using them, even if they don't prevent accidents.
- Crinus 7y agoThese two have nothing common, i'm not sure why you bring that up.
- lotsofpulp 7y agoThere needs to be a PSA about misuse of analogies, especially as some kind of proof or reasoning for an argument.
- pjmlp 7y agoSure they have, security improvements always come with a small inconvenience cost, although they provide a better outcome in the larger picture.
- Crinus 7y agoHaving to use a seatbelt or helmet doesn't prevent you from going to any place you want to go. Not being able to install any software you want on a device you own is not a small inconvenience cost, it is a great artificial limitation meant to take control away from the user and put the user at the mercy of the vendor who can then use it for other user hostile actions (e.g. forced obsolescence, a common tactic in the example of gaming consoles brought before). And especially in this case, any "better" outcome is really small and short term (the user being unable to do much with their own device means they are also unable to install unwanted software) whereas the larger picture outcome is user hostile - a gradual loss of control and ownership to the goods you are paying for.