tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667198366772137516.post4358452071761163174..comments2023-09-25T06:55:58.791+00:00Comments on The Casablanca Weblog: In response to Cory Doctorow (or "Why I won't not be buying an iPad")Phil Whitehousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707058659116319394noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667198366772137516.post-3073184273540714612010-04-03T18:45:43.088+00:002010-04-03T18:45:43.088+00:00I suppose it depends on how you define "trend...I suppose it depends on how you define "trend". What would become worrisome is when kids who might otherwise become hackers are somehow prevented from becoming exposed to the kind of technology that might inspire them to do so. <br /><br />So perhaps the question is, at what point does this become a problem? I recognise and agree with Cory's (and your) general concern, but I think on the balance of arguments, and considering the broader landscape of UI innovation, investigative journalism and increased web usage as well, that it's a net positive. Time will tell.<br /><br />As for the question of ownership, isn't the hardware owned and the software only used under licence? I agree that lack of control is a problem, particularly changing the software without Apple's involvement, but in legal terms I would expect the sale is legal (if not moral!).<br /><br />I'm not aware of anyone calling their mother thick, or implying so, so I can't really comment on that. I can comment on my own mother (who isn't thick!), who has steadfastly avoided anything to do with computers. She'll probably give the iPad a wide berth as well, but it isn't hard to imagine a class of user for whom the iPad makes the difference between a friendly web and one which scares them off.<br /><br />Anyway, it would be interesting to see some statistics in a few months time seeing what type of user has bought an iPad, what other devices they own, how they use it, etc. so we could start drawing some conclusions about the real impact based on real data. <br /><br />I think that the issues Doctorow raised were important and valid - just one-sided. So to this extent I'm glad he wrote them, in the interests of raising awareness.Phil Whitehousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00707058659116319394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667198366772137516.post-69776174121094492782010-04-03T11:28:51.918+00:002010-04-03T11:28:51.918+00:00Nicely articulated, and agree that some iPad users...Nicely articulated, and agree that some iPad users may subsequently become hackers...<br /><br />However, I don't agree with your assertion that such a level of control and lock-in is not a trend. It is. Earlier this week Sony released a PS3 update which removes the option to run a third party O/S, such as Linux, and that also removed existing partitions [1]. Damage is not limited to Linux geeks, and this will have serious implications for all the academic institutions which use PS3s as the building blocks of cheap supercomputer clusters. There are other examples, this is a real trend and Apple is fueling the fire.<br /><br />Apple, Sony and friends are free to make locked-down devices. But these should be leased and not sold. They should be pulled up by trading standards when <i>selling</i> such devices, as no customer really owns them, and if they do it's a clear case of derogation from grant. You call it a utility, and so why do I have to buy this expensive thing which at the whim of the manufacturer can be rendered a brick? <br /><br />Doctorow was bang on, and good on him for raising the profile of the iPad issues. Unless people do this, we run the risk of newer generations coming to think that paying a premium for devices with planned obsolescence is the norm. And that engineering is something for them and not us. And that your average mother is too thick to work out how to use a computer with freedom. The dumbing down of technology is not something to applaud, and I don't buy that rubbish that people are too busy to pick up a few computing skills. They can learn to drive a car, and can learn to drive a computer. This is one dangerous self-fulfilling prophecy.<br /><br />Just like ready meals, credit cards, fast food and cosmetic surgery - you have to ask yourself: convenience at what cost? <br /><br />[1] http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/28/ps3-firmware-v3-21-update/9600https://www.blogger.com/profile/16625031329361986310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667198366772137516.post-37028987034320813812010-04-03T09:51:13.116+00:002010-04-03T09:51:13.116+00:00Nice article. I won't be buying in iPad, but I...Nice article. I won't be buying in iPad, but I can absolutely see the positive dynamics it drives - maybe I've been reading @ajkeen too much.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to an Ubuntu tablet, but I don't necessarily want to take apart all my gadgets.DEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13468138772103258101noreply@blogger.com