Post #4083052

2026-07-25 07:48 UTC

RE: https://infosec.exchange/@david_chisnall/116931490270096063 Some truth in this, and then the extrapolations go a bit far for me. I agree that much of original Free Software equates 'users' with (advanced) software engineers. One of the underlying realities that's hard for technologists is that a lot of people don't want to fiddle with their software. We all have things we care about, and things we don't. Heck, I don't even want to put my own winter tires on or have to upgrade my TV remote. Even if I have the capacity I may not have the desire.

Replies (1)

@david_chisnall@infosec.exchange 2026-07-25 07:58

@futurile@mastodon.social One of the underlying realities that's hard for technologists is that a lot of people don't want to fiddle with their software. You are missing the point. Software is unique in that it is the component that allows a general-purpose machine to emulate a special-purpose machine. If software perfectly fits your requirements, you have no need to modify it. People don’t want to modify software, they want software to make their computer into a machine that solves the problem that they have. No piece of off-the-shelf software will ever precisely solve every user’s problems because every user has unique problems. Is it easier for a user to work around this mismatch or to adjust the software to properly address their problems? If it’s the former, you have not exposed the power of a computer to them, you have built an appliance.

Open ##4083051