>"That's complete bullshit. I have been using it [Linux] as my daily driver for years as have a number of people I know who aren't particularly technical."

Yep. Classic 80/20 rule. I estimate at least 80% of MS-Windows users could do everything they need in Linux.

>"Unless your jam is just computer gaming"

Even that is now not a barrier. Linux is "gaming" just as well or better than MS-Windows, thanks to Steam.

>"or you have an application that you MUST use that only runs on Windows"

That is a legit problem. But many will not consider alternative apps that work just as well or almost as well. Yet some users will have specific needs that, understandably, require staying on MS-Windows (and where tricks like WINE don't work, or are too unstable/complicated).

>"Linux will do pretty much anything Windows can without the licensing merry-go-round."

And while using less RAM, less storage, less CPU, on far more machines, with way more autonomy, far better privacy, and better security as well. But MS-Windows has a long and entrenched stranglehold in most organizations.

>"They should wipe the drive and install Mint, and take MS up on their promise for a refund, as stated in their license agreement between them and the purchaser."

Agreed. Although getting a "refund" is probably folly. Some companies now allow you to omit the MS-Windows while buying and offering a discount. That would be the better way. Most get kickbacks from forced bloatware, so they are happy with the status quo...

In any case, I have hundreds of machines running Mint (and some other Linxen). All are machines that never paid MS at all, and continue to not do so each year with updates and OS upgrades. And the vast majority are considerably old (10+yrs) and run just fine with older processors, less RAM, and less storage. Because Linux uses far fewer resources.

This horrible situation with RAM and storage pricing and availability can be and should be a great boon for Linux adoption. And that is on top of the extreme hostility and disdain Microsoft has for its customers. Plus system autonomy. And privacy. And security. Home users and companies can extend the life of their existing machines for many years to come, if they are finally willing to put some effort into switching.

>"I speak of Twitter/X like it is a weapon. It is but one that destroyed trust, empathy and identity"

Twitter was a weapon, destroying those long before Musk bought it. A lot of the stuff going on just wasn't noticed (at least by the main-stream).

None of these companies have any great morality. Their motivation is primarily "engagement" and nothing engages more than stirring up conflict.

>"X algorithm changed in July [2024] to boost right-wing accounts, study finds [cybernews.com]"

How quickly we forget the down-ranking and bans on right-wing accounts. Or did you agree with that?

https://nypost.com/2022/12/08/...

>"Cambridge research confirms rude, disrespectful, and false content sees greater amplification."

I don't participate in social media. But what I do see is just as much rude and disrespect from the "left" as the "right". And "false content" is often based on the eye of the beholder, applies across the board, and is a red herring.

>"The platform isn't just allowing extremism. It's designed to promote it."

Welcome to social media. Again, I am glad I never participated.

>"I'd not trust them to actually give you the complete real deal and there's no way whatsoever to validate that the code they release is really it."

Oh, you mean kinda like Chrome?

You know, that popular browser by Google.... the one that is binary and you don't really know what they are doing. They release the code as Chromium. And don't really let the community steer it in any meaningful way, they have 100% control over the code. Then they take it and do mysterious stuff on/in it and produce a binary that people run.

So yeah, run Firefox, where you can compile it yourself, or run a trusted binary by a third party, or run a fork like LibreWolf, Waterfox, or Palemoon.

At least what X is doing is a zillion times more transparent than what Twitter was doing. And infinitely more transparent than Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Shapchat, Pinterest, Threads, Discord, Twitch, or TikTok. And they promise they will accept feedback and will be releasing more code as open.

I proudly have never even had an account on any of those. (Technically my Android account is an account on YouTube, but I have never used YouTube as "logged in"). I suppose Slashdot is the closest I have ever come to "social media."

>"unsolicited telemarking calls are banned in France unless consumers explicitly consent to them."

And we kinda have that in the USA as well. Plus possible fines. Plus a do-no-call registry. Plus other stuff.... And nothing changed. Companies claim "existing relations." Or they sneak something into fine-print that you sign. Or they call from out of jurisdiction. Or they just don't care and do it anyway, however they like.

There is no easy way to report them, and really no teeth. It is sad. I wish we could just press a single button and it would submit them automatically to a central database and we had an agency that would look for large offenders and nail them. (Same for text). But not gonna happen.

Maybe France will fare better. But I kinda doubt it.

>"Then explain SystemD...

You know, when I wrote the post, I was thinking about "well, there is systemd..."

>"and the likes of Amazon, Samsung, and other phone manufacturers may also want to put their stores in front of potential customers. "

Samsung has had their own store integrated into all their phones/tablets for a loooong time. That isn't news. So I think perhaps the phrase was meant that Samsung might want to also be able to put their store onto non-Samsung phones/tablets.

And, generally, there is no motivation for a community-driven Linux distro to force crap on their users.

Plus there is no lock-in with Linux (unless you make it that way, yourself). Some people like to complain about "too many Linux distros" who are used to having a single vendor they cannot escape (Microsoft). Yet with Linux, if you don't like the direction or actions of one distro, you can switch to another.

We know more businesses are switching to Linux. But I predict, over time, more of those are also going to choose something like Debian or Mint over RHEL or Ubuntu.

^^^^ THIS.

I mean, it is not like we want to actually understand the software installed, be efficient with disk space and fleeting RAM, or be able to fix security dependencies, right?

I really hope this push for switching native packages to "containerized" ones comes to an end. Or at least doesn't contaminate too many major distros.

>"Ah, the 'if you've done nothing wrong you have nothing to fear' canard. Prieless."

That is not at all what I am saying. Otherwise, I wouldn't be extremely against Flock cameras and the surveillance state. Life is more nuanced than "this or that". Having common sense/manners goes a long way in the real world.

Rights theory is the realm of politics, legislation, voting, and courts. It is not when you have been pulled over or intercepted by the police. You can politely ask if you are required by law to do this or that, or free to go, etc. If the answer is no, then don't comply and communicate clearly. If the answer is yes, regardless of if they are correct or not, you can have your day in court after (and with their possible admission of something unlawful). Antagonizing the police and/or not following commands does absolutely NOTHING positive for you.

>"Who is going to take the responsibility when someone dies as a result of this?"

Who takes responsibility when someone dies because all the lines are tied up for long periods with BS calls and duplicate calls for the same incident? Because that is what this new system is designed to try and fix. It is just triage.

I am not saying it will work, or that it is guaranteed to improve outcomes. That entirely depends on how it works and is implemented. But it doesn't sound like a horrible idea. So, although I am not a fan of AI answering 911 calls, it very well could be the lesser of two evils...

>"Every Flock license plate reader camera operated by the Winona Police Department has been sawed off and stolen in what investigators believe was a coordinated theft, [...] All eight cameras were taken"

8? LOL! We had over SIX HUNDRED of those privacy-raping devices as of mid-last year in my metro area. Probably up to 700 by now.

Name calling isn't intelligent.

>"In a civilized democratic society, non-compliance with a police officer is not an excuse for summary execution."

Non-compliance very rarely leads to to a fatal or horrible outcome (and it wouldn't be an "summary execution" if the police resort to lethal force to protect themselves and the public). But it greatly increases such chances. And compliance almost guarantees a reasonable outcome.

Your broad characterization of police as blood-thirsty nazis is warped. And they don't put their hands on their guns simply because of "mean words." I suspect if you had to do their job for a few months in a high-crime area, you would quickly understand why they have to be hyper-aware/careful/defensive.

Please keep in mind I was replying to someone saying he/she is "afraid to visit the USA." Which is pretty ridiculous.

But still, you give people zero agency. It doesn't matter where you live, you still can choose to be law abiding and respectful and usually choose not to associate with others who are not. I know in some circumstances that can be difficult....

Being raised by toxic people can make it very difficult; if you are a minor and forced to live with someone who is not law abiding and respectful that might be insurmountable. Especially if you weren't taught good morals/manners. My hope would be schools, and that is where more focus should be placed. Stressing strong discipline/control coupled with respect and reward for good behavior.