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Indeed. As someone who worked in small and embedded systems, I can't help but think that many people have no idea what "bricked" actually means (or at least, me
by freedomben 2y ago
Indeed. As someone who worked in small and embedded systems, I can't help but think that many people have no idea what "bricked" actually means (or at least, meant for it's first many years of life).
- johnnyanmac 2y agolanguage changes. A definition of "literally" is now "figuratively". Here: >to render (an electronic device, such as a smartphone) nonfunctional (as by accidental damage, malicious hacking, or software changes) A printer with ink not printing would seem like a brick to a layman, no? under this colloquial definition, at least.
- gruez 2y agoNot working with non-hp cartridges is hardly "nonfunctional". If that counts as "bricked", then apple "bricked" my iPhone when they patched jailbreaks.
- freedomben 2y agoYou make a good point. I still think the term is being misused and I think is worth correcting as otherwise we have no term for what bricked actually means, but I can see how one could reason their way into it. A printer that won't work with what you have on hand is essentially a "brick" in the moment. But "brick" is typically a permanent state, not a temporary one that simply requires using compatible parts. Following that logic, one could describe a car with a dead battery as a "brick" but that is clearly not accurate. FTR lest someone think I'm defending HP here (I don't know why so many people, including on HN where we're supposed to be more contemplative and analytical, think everything must be 100% black or white, but I digress), I think HP is a despicable company and this practice of theirs is beyond abhorrent. I will never buy another HP product short of them fully reversing course and issuing at least an acknowledgment of the change in course if not a full-blown apology for being evil.