Image description:

Shopping for a laptop as a Linux user:

Screenshot from the Simpsons where Otto is talking to Marge and Homer standing next to a window in their house with a caption “Oh wow, windows!.. I don’t think I can afford this place.”

  • Rikj000@discuss.tchncs.de
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    107
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    1 year ago

    I hate that nowadays everything comes with pre-installed spyware and that they charge you for it makes it even worse…

    • Want a TV? Suck on our Android TV with Google spyware embedded
    • Want a phone? Get our Android with Google spyware, or go for an Apple with Apple spyware
    • Want a computer? We’ll shove Windows spyware down your throat

    Ffs I just want devices that I own to not spy on me, and I can’t even buy them anymore…

    Each of them require flashing a custom privacy respecting OS onto it,
    and that’s a real problem…

    • Samsy@lemmy.ml
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      33
      ·
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      Nice list, I would add routers (not everywhere). But for example here in Germany you get a device from your ISP for free but don’t try to change the DNS settings because your ISP wants to know what you are doing online.

      Only alternative is a fritzbox which is highly overpriced for a simple router+modem. >200€ for a cablerouter.

      I had to buy a used fritzbox, need to nearly hacked them for activating the deactivated bridge-mode and put a cheap Asus router on it with flashed openwrt.

      I needed 6 months for the whole setup.

      • HappyRedditRefugee@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        11
        ·
        1 year ago

        Unless you are using DoH or DoT it does not matter which DNS server you have configured on the modem/router, DNS requests are sent as plain text so your ISP can still see them and will know which sites you are seeing.

        OpenWRT with DoH or DoT bypasses that problem, alternatively a VPN with custom DNS. Also a Pihole or Adguard instance never hurt. But at the end of the day someome owns those DNS servers and will likely log your use.

        • Samsy@lemmy.ml
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          4
          ·
          1 year ago

          That’s exactly my setup. Openwrt + stubby + DoT. Which points to an external AdguardHome + unbound. Wireguard is also used.

    • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      16
      ·
      1 year ago

      The tv thing is the most insane. Like I grew up used to knowing phones are all tapped and computers too. But I pay to not have ads on tv but my tv itself has ads. And I can run a Linux computer and we’re getting somewhere with spyware and ad free phones even if it’s not yet where I need to switch, but tv, fucking hell

      • nolight@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        1 year ago

        AFAIK, you can flash a de-googled version of Android TV on some devices, look up LineageOS’ website.

    • ransomwarelettuce@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      8
      ·
      1 year ago

      Yeah and try to load a custom OS into anything other than an computer is a nightmare, just last week while trying to install twrp recovery and flash a custom ROM which I been doing for quite some while hard bricked my phone, mad ended up fucking it completely by trying to fix it with mtkclient.

    • anon5621@lemmy.ml
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      8
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      Unfortunately it’s concept which were in the past.Nowdays u are not owning ur device,you are actually just renting it. Unless new laws are passed that will prohibit such a business model.

      • Rikj000@discuss.tchncs.de
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        8
        ·
        1 year ago

        I do own my devices.

        Companies want you to not own the devices, and rent them through a subscription model,
        however I refuse to do that.

        If you do that / fall for that,
        then you’re part of the problem making such a future a reality…

        • anon5621@lemmy.ml
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          7
          ·
          1 year ago

          I refuse this too,but i explained current trend and we will not able to do anything about it without law.

        • oo1@kbin.social
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          1 year ago

          If you do that / fall for that, then you’re part of the problem making such a future a reality…

          Lots of peoples’ buying habits and trust-based attitudes were forged last century.
          It’ll take a generation or two for new habits to form.

          In the meanwhile modern businesses will make hay by selling trojan-horses to old school customers , and using the profits to tie-in new users to new services to try to capture/brainwash the next gen into thinking there is no choice.

          I think you’ll remain in the minority unless ‘ignorant’ consumers who ‘fall for that’ can become educated and learn about the options.

    • AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      8
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      I build computers and sell them, and will put whatever OS you want on them, except Windows. If you want windows, I take $150 off the price of the tower.

      • Rikj000@discuss.tchncs.de
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        15
        ·
        1 year ago

        I’m a developer, modder and privacy advocate, I know how to put a custom OS on my hardware, but I’m a minority.

        However the average joe does not,
        and they, the majority,
        are forced into using spyware.

        Often without them even knowing so,
        which is a true issue

        • AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          1 year ago

          I don’t have to install anything, and you’re getting a machine with a BIOS, but no OS. I tell my customers up front that I’m not going to put Windows on, though I am looking into the legality of possibly offering Tiny10, but that looks questionable.

          I’m not going to charge for work I didn’t do.

    • Clent@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      41
      ·
      1 year ago

      Apple spyware? Cute that you make shit up to justify your victimhood. The vendors that install actual spyware appreciate your ignorance.