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> I believe consumers, as a right, should be able to install software of their choosing to any computing device that is owned outright. I agree with this, as w

> I believe consumers, as a right, should be able to install software of their choosing to any computing device that is owned outright. I agree with this, as well as most (or all) of the other stuff mentioned in that article. However, sometimes it might be reasonable to have a switch inside that you must unscrew it (using a commonly available screwdriver, rather than an obscure one) to switch it (and then later be able to switch it back), in order to enable some functions (e.g. to be able to upgrade EEPROM, or to bypass a secure boot loader). If the user puts glitter on it, then this allows the user to detect tampering, while remaining secure and allowing full control.

nicman23 2y ago
No. This does not happen with anything else except phones. If you brick a laptop it is a 30 dollar fix on any local shop. The same cannot be said with any locked down device.
whs 2y ago
I remember how I flashed my Nintendo DS. In the back of the device there's a sticker over a screwhole. You'll need to poke a screwdriver in there, but inside is not a screw. It's an electrical contact to make the ROM read-write which your screwdriver needs to bridge, and stay bridged while the firmware is flashing (It is harmless if the contact is loss in the process, but I don't know if it would be safe to abort at that point) Pretty hard to convince someone to do that process, yet doable by anyone with a flathead screwdriver. I guess nowadays it become Samsung's e-fuse where if you flash it blow an e-fuse and the status of the fuse is now detectable with software. Then apps can refuse to service people just because the custom firmware fuse was blown.