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> If people really want to add their own features they are free to modify the device. Except that they are not actually given that freedom. The entire notion
by cbarrick 1y ago
> If people really want to add their own features they are free to modify the device.
Except that they are not actually given that freedom.
The entire notion of free software is that users should be free to modify the software stacks of their devices.
Very few consumer devices are free in that sense. You can't run a custom OS on an iPhone.
- brookst 1y agoFree software is a value prop, not a law. And it is counter to the value prop that one entity is entirely responsible for all of the software (even if Apple doesn’t write every line of code, they are responsible for every bit that ships). Not everyone cares about the bits. It’s true that the vast majority of consumers prefer having a single supplier to having freedom to run their own bits.
- charcircuit 1y ago>You can't run a custom OS on an iPhone. Sure you can, you just need to replace the components that don't let you with ones that allow your custom OS.
- cbarrick 1y ago"Just" is carrying a lot of weight here. We're discussing consumer hardware. Can a consumer "just" replace the components of their iPhone? No, they cannot.
- charcircuit 1y agoBy that same logic consumers can't replace the os on PCs so consumers don't own PCs either. Customizing things manually is not always easy and user friendly. Easy customization is another feature products can offer.