3 ms·

I really like Louis' approach to Right to Repair. He doesn't want to force manufacturers to re-design products for repairability or make their designs open sou

I really like Louis' approach to Right to Repair. He doesn't want to force manufacturers to re-design products for repairability or make their designs open source. He doesn't even want to force manufacturers to offer repair services or to supply parts. He just wants to stop manufacturers from going out of their way to screw over independent repair. For instance, a manufacturer shouldn't be obligated to sell a part exclusively to another manufacturer in order to do business with them. Third parties should be allowed to ship used goods and parts through customs without having the seized as "counterfeits". Third parties shouldn't have to "partner" with manufacturers just to be able to buy parts. Third parties should be permitted to share technical details about a product (eg independently-developed board views or circuit diagrams). That's what I want to see. I'd much rather see independent repair be given better legal protection than have a bunch of half-baked, hard-to-enforce regulations piled onto manufacturers who will inevitably find loopholes anyways.

kiba 6y ago
I want companies to be able to offer repairable products as a competitive advantage so that I know who to patronize.
- harperlee 6y ago
  The problem is, the market as a whole does not value repairability, so most products end up not being repairable - which ends up being a competitive advantage for them because you sell more units. Repairability becomes a disadvantage, left to market forces.
  - ksec 6y ago
    But the market do value durability, which is not something most product end up with. Repairability is not something we want, but as a result of real world trade offs or manufacturer refuse to take durability seriously. ( Look at Apple MBP 2016 ) Apple could have repair it themselves, but it is increasingly clear Apple Store tries to push for buying new product over simply fix.
    - harperlee 6y ago
      Mmh It should value it, but I’m not so sure that it does beyond a fairly low threshold. People dont like buying cheap things that break easily; once you are out of the worst options bag... I’ll keep it anecdotal and say that I haven't seen anyone ponder relative durability of different brands, ever. Even on professional review articles. Where is the discussion of surface vs. Ipad duranbility?

kiba 6y ago

I want companies to be able to offer repairable products as a competitive advantage so that I know who to patronize.

harperlee 6y ago
The problem is, the market as a whole does not value repairability, so most products end up not being repairable - which ends up being a competitive advantage for them because you sell more units. Repairability becomes a disadvantage, left to market forces.
- ksec 6y ago
  But the market do value durability, which is not something most product end up with. Repairability is not something we want, but as a result of real world trade offs or manufacturer refuse to take durability seriously. ( Look at Apple MBP 2016 ) Apple could have repair it themselves, but it is increasingly clear Apple Store tries to push for buying new product over simply fix.
  - harperlee 6y ago
    Mmh It should value it, but I’m not so sure that it does beyond a fairly low threshold. People dont like buying cheap things that break easily; once you are out of the worst options bag... I’ll keep it anecdotal and say that I haven't seen anyone ponder relative durability of different brands, ever. Even on professional review articles. Where is the discussion of surface vs. Ipad duranbility?