So #Apple just announced their plan to kill general purpose computing.
They're switching to their own ARM-based SoCs and while I have no love for Intel or x86 in general, Apple's solution is designed to ensure you won't be able to run anything but #Apple signed images on the hardware you supposedly own.
Native #Linux? Forget it. But don't worry, you'll still be able to run it in a VM for those pesky containers you're using at work.
#Linux is going to be a permanent second stringer there.
@isagalaev They won't kill it completely, they won't kill it for you or me, there's always going to be options, but that's not the goal.
It's about how easy it will be to try Linux for the ever increasing number of Apple customers. Right now it's still fairly simple and so it is an option to at least try on an existing Mac HW when macOS frustrates and optionally transition fully if they like the experience, (personal experience with dozens), however if it doesn't boot because of a T3 chip etc.
@isagalaev A lot more people will simply give up.
It's not a problem for me, but am already here. If however back when I first tried Linux I couldn't simply plug in a live USB to try it, I don't know if I will be on Linux today, but at least I wouldn't be on it for as long as I am now, because the barrier to entry would've been so much higher.
Repurposing your existing hardware to try things you're unfamiliar and uncertain about is a great way to discover #Linux with minimal investment.
@MatejLach @isagalaev , I think Ivan is right here. Consumers have the choice to buy an Apple Fun Machine or general purpose computers.
I agree Matej that going from general purpose to specific purpose appliance (because that's what it'll end up being in the end) is not nice, but I think Apple can only go so far until they start shooting their feet.
I'm not defending Apple, just giving an observation. I'm a diehard Debian user.
@indirection
I don't disagree per se, but I also think this underestimates the power of "default", Windows has majority market share because it's the "default". Many get Macs at work by "default" and as an extension end up with personal machines also being Macs.
Many buy Mac as a fashion/status symbol etc. too.
The realization that you now have a special-purpose machine vs a general purpose computer will take a while to sink in, maybe a good while.
@MatejLach @indirection "The realization that you now have a special-purpose machine vs a general purpose computer will take a while to sink in, maybe a good while."
I think it's pretty well understood already by consumers, and they do want it. We should agree that "general purpose computing" is a historical phase when having a computer meant understanding it. Progress always goes towards closed-off appliances. Most people don't fix their cars and don't darn their socks anymore.
Right, but just because something is happening doesn't mean it's a good thing or nothing could/should be done to stop/slow it etc.
I mean the trend you described is exactly why you now have a whole new "right to repair" movement, which wasn't needed even 30 years ago.
You now have coffee machines and even tractors with built in DRM and the like.
While many don't fix their cars, there's still a vibrant class of people that do and who complain that's getting harder.
The trend has been well described in the classic by Tim Wu, The Master Switch, which describes the evolution of the radio from an open, almost internet-like platform to a closed ecosystem.
But one of the things I don't want to do is know about this and just sit here, awaiting the outcome. That's not what RMS and many others of FLOSS pioneers did either.
@MatejLach @isagalaev , well the outcome seems to be that HAM is the equivalent to FOSS, no?
Also, for what it's worth, you can build your own 8-bit computer. *Also* for what it's worth, turing completeness is kind of hard to stop. It almost doesn't matter how locked down a CPU is, if any software exposes a turing complete language, the system is "open".
There are a lot of workarounds 😛
@indirection
Well, I think FLOSS is a lot more "mainstream" than HAM is, but my point is precisely that worst case it could end up just like HAM.
@indirection I am not part of that community, so don't know, but I'd assume they've come to terms with it by now rather than being outright "happy".
I am sure they're happy that the hobby exists at all, sure, but am fairly certain they'd be more happy if it was more "visible", more accepted, more marketable, more vibrant if you will. If it was an actual, viable competitor to commercial radio.
I assume that simply because of the fact that many more people would appreciate their work then.
Matej Ľach ✅
Ivan Sagalaev 
LenFalken