Post B0v4f9LjoVG6BeqbpI by Benhm3@mastodon.social
(DIR) More posts by Benhm3@mastodon.social
(DIR) Post #B0v305mk3s27IyKwlM by tomjennings@tldr.nettime.org
2025-12-04T22:45:11Z
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We have to stop fooling ourselves: we do not control our computers. We have no control at all over windows, Macos, android (ok a sliver) or ios. Nearly zero control over browsers and therefore most people's "Internet". The tiny minority of folks that do control their own computer, Linux on a Windows machine, don't control the BIOS or browser, and we necessarily wander in the brush, in a forest of commodity computers. These computers will not be our tools of liberation. They fucking spy on us as i type this.
(DIR) Post #B0v4f9LjoVG6BeqbpI by Benhm3@mastodon.social
2025-12-04T23:03:47Z
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@tomjennings Er, um, uh, the browser--so long as it isn't chrome--is pretty controllable.It's a pain in the butt, and requires re-assertion after each update if you choose name-brand FireFox. Otherwise there are forks with slightly bent compatibilities that work fine.But browser by google or browser integrated into OS, yeah, you're right.
(DIR) Post #B0v6VZmcsXthBLzFdA by angiebaby@mas.to
2025-12-04T23:24:27Z
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@tomjennings I'm going to buy that IBM Selectric at the thrift store next time I'm there.
(DIR) Post #B0v6bBy0LBm53PzFgG by scott@mastodon.clitheroe.ca
2025-12-04T23:25:28Z
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@tomjennings I use older surplus machines with secure boot disabled. It's not Linux on a Windows machine, but I understand (and fear) what you are saying.
(DIR) Post #B0vGaLExNNDb4E9K3U by SpaceLifeForm@infosec.exchange
2025-12-05T01:17:22Z
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@tomjennings Linux on Windows is smoke. Run Linux on Bare Metal.
(DIR) Post #B0vPfYNqprakrlrzOK by tomjennings@tldr.nettime.org
2025-12-05T02:59:11Z
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@angiebaby They're lovely machines! Not even one transistor in them! The feel of the keyboard is amazing. Plus 2 key rollover!
(DIR) Post #B0vSV6zQ8Aj4s79g1o by leopardboy@hoosier.social
2025-12-05T03:30:52Z
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@tomjennings Maybe the problem is the network?
(DIR) Post #B0vdnVMvKNJ7Bs7bQO by tomjennings@tldr.nettime.org
2025-12-05T05:37:30Z
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@SpaceLifeForm I meant Linux run on commodity PCs, I think of those as intended to run windows. But yeah.
(DIR) Post #B0wEHkyRT9lIctOYEa by SpaceLifeForm@infosec.exchange
2025-12-05T12:26:20Z
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@tomjennings They are as bare metal these days that you can typically find, as long as you trust the TPM and fhe firmware.Cloud does not count.
(DIR) Post #B0wyjzbrF8pw1BEWxM by TimWardCam@c.im
2025-12-05T21:06:51Z
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@tomjennings Yes well, the days of knowing every byte of code in the machine are long gone.To my view the rot set in with the introduction of on-CPU memory cache: from then on you could no longer verify everything that was happening with a logic analyser on the bus, so that was the point at which you no longer knew what the computer was doing.
(DIR) Post #B0x0AQUg0jzksh2iUi by tomjennings@tldr.nettime.org
2025-12-05T21:22:52Z
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@TimWardCam That's all true, but a technical side issue of the main problem.The real problem is an intentional removal of our ability to control our machines. We'll never eliminate entirely technical weaknesses, that will always be a running battle.