Creeping Freedom

[Shibblet]

I have watched as Microsoft has slowly encroached on your rights and freedoms from Windows XP up until our current Windows 11 23H2. The 24H2 update is going to go even further.
This seems to me akin to the old fable of "How to Boil a Frog." One small step at a time, until it's taken over completely.

Every step that gets taken, is one less Freedom that people have with their own computer.

What concerns me, is not necessarily that Microsoft is doing that... what concerns me is that people just seem to not care. I feel as if we are being swept away in the middle of a pack of lemmings that isn't going to stop until they run right off a cliff...

For people to give away such simple freedoms, and not care anything about it is absolutely terrifying.

They don't care that Microsoft / Google / Facebook / etc. is selling their data?
They don't care that AI's are being installed as part of their OS?
They just click the "Accept" button on any EULA that pops up in front of their face, because they want to play some game, and don't really care what the agreement is about?

Secure Boot? Pluton? Is the cost of a computer just considered "rent" now?

But what's the alternative? Linux? It certainly can be... However, most users are so entrenched in Microsoft, they won't use Linux, because their game won't run... or their MS Word document doesn't open correctly. They scream "Compatibility," but at what price?

I had this crazy idea for almost 15 years now, that I needed to keep Windows on my computer, just in case I might need it for some compatibility reason. And I've used it quite a bit over the years too. But that's it. I'm done. This AI Copilot bit Windows 11 wants to install is going too far.

[him610]

This AI Copilot bit Windows 11 wants to install is going too far.

I believe you can opt out of that if you want to.

[Shibblet]

I believe you can opt out of that if you want to.

I think you can also... at least for now...

[nicolasdentremont]

I think most people really don't care about being tracked/watched anymore. It's not just personal computers either, phones, cars and any other smart appliance sends usage information back to the manufacturer. Data is the new gold rush.

[Tadaen_Sylvermane]

Until Microsoft locks down the hardware market none of this matters. People can choose to use or not use Windows. It's not an obligation. They may not realize they have a choice. They likely don't care either. Convenience trumps everything these days. It's all about instant gratification. If people actually cared enough to look into it they would.

Some people think they are fighting some holy battle against the big corporations. It's just a computer. There are bigger issues in life. You can only do what's right for you. If people want to allow this then who are you, or any of us really to judge them. I care less and less each day just because it's unavoidable. That isn't me giving up as much as I have better places to spend my concern and time. Only have so many things I can deal with in a given time frame. Computer is not high on my list personally.

[currentshaft]

ubuntu