Hey Adison,

No, its not a proprietary version of linux, we 're running standard raspbian/debian as used on raspberry pi's. Users can access the standard desktop, where the only thing we have done is add in orca and brltty for screen reading, and setup keyboard macros for easier access. On the multiuser side, we run our own software, with customised editors, book readers, music/radio & podcast players, etc but the system is not locked down in any way, and users are free to write/run their own software, or just apt install anything they like. Some of our customers have even provided software for free for other customers to use. We ship with all the libraries that we use to write software on the machine, and we're working on developer documentation to make it easier for those that want to write their own apps in python or C, or customise the apps that we provide (as most of them are written in python, with all the source provided). Just load them into an editor and go to town. Or apt install a package, or git clone & compile something. I do all my development directly on the machine, using the built in tools. Can you do that on devices you own?

How is this being elitist or stupid? Would you prefer that we use Windows or Android? Those platforms are far more locked down.
We want this device to be the best that it can be, and we have developers (yes, including me) working on improving the software every day, fixing bugs, writing new apps, and improving existing apps. We don't have the large teams that other companies have, but we work hard at this. This costs money, and hey, I have two children that I have to keep fed and clothed, and can't afford to develop for free. Is it elitist to want to get paid for working?

@averlice @cubic @alexchapman @J3317 @GraceTechNerd @BlazieTech

@bigsimon @averlice @cubic @alexchapman @J3317 @GraceTechNerd @BlazieTech Just for your information, I live in a country where the company that originally released a product has to fulfill a mandatory 2 years warranty for any product flaws that existed from the start. Security vulnerabillities and bugs count as such product flaws. So security and bugfix updates are mandatory for 2 years, whereas you can of course sell feature updates just fine.

I of course assume you don't sell in such countries.

As for costs - obviously the solution is to consider those support costs in the product price.

I'm just a programmer, and it's up to the management at Blazie Tech to decide how and when to charge consumers: whether its upfront costs or in subscriptions or other payments down the track. When the idea of subscriptions was explained to me, the idea was that all users would still get bug fixes, and subscription users would get new features. And, this last release was also released to all customers too (subscribed or not). Oh, and linux updates are not gated in any way.
I have no idea what countries receive our devices... and FYI I'm based in Sydney, Oz (along with another of the devs), and from what I've seen the support of blazie products is far and away better than other companies products I've used. Everyone who works at the company including the owners are active on the mailing lists, customers get to speak to real people when they have a problem, and we're all working to constantly improve the product.

@divVerent @averlice @cubic @alexchapman @J3317 @GraceTechNerd @BlazieTech