Don’t want to sound like I’m proselytizing, but there are other free operating systems not based on Linux: FreeBSD, FreeDOS or ReactOS in example. I wish, I could add GNU/Hurd to the list, but from what I know, its unusable at the moment. Redox is also a new OS written in Rust, but it’s not ready yet (I think).
Now, are these real alternatives to a regular Linux based OS? In some cases they are (FreeBSD and their family), but most probably would just use Linux for their PC. They aren’t even suited for gaming I guess, the likes of Steam. I was just “Acktually”-ing around that you don’t “need” Linux for owning your computer. I mean, you mentioned closed firmware, so technically I was allowed to. :D
pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 8 months ago
Forced updates are a good thing for most people, though. The general population doesn’t know or care about infosec, so they’ll put off updates for months or years.
Nia_The_Cat@beehaw.org 8 months ago
derbis@beehaw.org 8 months ago
I’d be fine with what you describe in the second paragraph, but that’s not what’s meant by “forced.” That’s opt-out. Forced is what’s really objectionable, especially when it’s abused, as discussed in the article and elsewhere in these comments.
UmbraTemporis@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 months ago
No.
A notification, in the tray and elsewhere across the OS, with a short description like “Updates are crucial to the security of you and your device, they also provide the freshest experience.” would get the point across. What would be even better is if there was a one-click NQA button to initiate the update, perhaps even included on the notification.
pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 8 months ago
Those notifications have existed for years. People don’t give a shit.
All you have to do is restart your computer every so often and nothing will be forced.
hitmyspot@aussie.zone 8 months ago
The problem is Microsoft have abused it. Now they claim an update is for security, but instead it just reverts settings to promote their other products.
UmbraTemporis@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 months ago
In Windows’ case, this is the truth. But certified corporation momentos are not a required side-effect of this approach to updates.
kent_eh@lemmy.ca 8 months ago
Updates forced at inconvenient (or inapropriate) times aren’t a good thing though.
Don’t interrupt my work right bloody now.
You can update later when I’m done doing what I’m in the middle of.
pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 8 months ago
The forced updates are usually after the system has bugged the shit out of you to update for a week or two.
Plus, you can easily disable it.
derbis@beehaw.org 8 months ago
Let’s have the authorities force us to eat salad and exercise while we’re at it, it’s better for us
Dark_Arc@social.packetloss.gg 8 months ago
Oh Christ that’s not the same thing and you know it.
derbis@beehaw.org 8 months ago
Meh. You’re not just talking about just making it automatic or easy or recommended, but actually forcing everyone to have to go along with it and taking away the option to not do it.
ptz@dubvee.org 8 months ago
Hard agree to disagree.
teawrecks@sopuli.xyz 8 months ago
Which part exactly are you disagreeing with? Do you think that we should force people to never be allowed to run an OS that enforces a strict update regimen? Because I think you probably actually think that the user should be allowed to choose how they update; whether that be mandatory and automatic, or manual and optional. The reality is, the vast majority of people will opt for the former, and I think we both agree that they should be allowed that choice.
The real issue is transparency: what is being installed and executed, why, and is any data being collected. As long as all that can be audited at will, I don’t see any issue with the existence of an OS that insists on being updated for the people who want that.
ptz@dubvee.org 8 months ago
Emphases mine, obviously. No OS (nor its vendor) should insist how I use it or force anything on me, the owner / administrator. If it wants to make an opt-in option to make certain things automatic for the lazy / technically-challenged, sure, whatever, but don’t make it mandatory or convoluted to opt out (if opt-in is a dealbreaker)
I don’t want my OS to treat me like an idiot, a child, a product to be data mined, a mark to sell stuff to, etc. Just handle I/O, render what I tell it, do what I tell it, and don’t take liberties or suggest things to me.
Zworf@beehaw.org 8 months ago
That’s their problem though. If they wanna get hacked, go for it.
But there should be a way to turn it off for us power users at least (without having to build a whole domain controller)
pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 8 months ago
The problem is when those systems become part of a botnet.
Plus, you can just disable the update service if you want to leave your computer vulnerable to attacks.
i_am_not_a_robot@discuss.tchncs.de 8 months ago
It’s not that easy.