cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/3405817

Have to use Windows for work (I’ve asked), the ads have been getting worse and worse on my work laptop. Today got a game ad notification… That’s clearly too far, right? Like I have to clear notifications, so I have to see it

  • @pollocks@lemmy.mlEnglish
    87•1 year ago

    When Windows started getting pre installed bloatware is around the time I made my full switch to Linux. When Samsung phones started doing the same, I switched away from them too. Srsly, I will become a luddite before I use any devices that force apps I don’t want on me. It’s abusive and shouldn’t be legal.

    • @kyub@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      8•1 year ago

      Yes. Even though not using all this crap may sometimes feel like you’re missing out on certain stuff, it is still the right thing to do. I don’t support abusive behavior, bloatware and spyware, so companies doing that will not receive any money from me if I can help it.

      We’re basically just one step ahead of the general population, who basically (still) eats up anything that’s being served by big tech corporations, without any second thoughts or hesitations. The general population IMHO is currently at the stage that nerds were like 25 years ago, in that they tend to be naively enthusiastic about every new piece of tech. But nowadays, tech can be abusive towards their users, and so it’s important to choose the right tech. The general population hasn’t made that realization yet (or they don’t care, which also must change).

      The media is also partly to blame for this, for example almost every new review of any Samsung or Apple phone is usually very positive, usually just reporting about the advancements in hardware and UI, without even mentioning any of the downsides these have on the software side. And so when reviews don’t even mention downsides anymore, there’s a lack of information available.

      And it’s not even that regular users don’t like the alternatives. For example I convinced a friend to move from a regular spyware-infested Samsung Galaxy phone (which he was using all the time, and he even wanted to buy a new one) to a Pixel with GrapheneOS. He’s not missing anything, even though his transition wasn’t super smooth, overall he’s happier now, and he mentioned that he likes the OS being so clean and unencumbered. He doesn’t particularly care about the privacy and security improvements which he now also enjoys, which is a bit sad, but at least he’s happy with the lean and unmodified Android (open source) experience.

      So, as usual, information/knowledge is power. People need to know that alternatives exist and that some alternatives are actually really, really good. And they need to know what the problems are with the “default stuff everyone uses”, so that they can make better informed decisions in the future. They also need to become less dependent on big tech companies. The alternatives have little to no PR and thus little public visibility in comparison, except via word of mouth, so we need to make the most out of that.

      • RichardEnglish
        2•1 year ago

        Very good statement, although I disagree with the claim that “nerds” were naive 25 years ago, as the GNU Project and the free software movement exist since the 80s already, meaning that at least some intelligent and tech literate people already realised the destructive potential of closed-source and unfree software!

      • @neonred@lemmy.worldEnglish
        8•1 year ago

        Not OP but I switched to a FairPhone 3 as soon as it came out after my Samsung experiences. Also wanted MicroSD and Dual-SIM, replacable batteries, easy to fix, longtime support.

        Still loving it ❤ FairPhone️ 3.

        Back then it shipped with Android 9 and recently got Android 13. That’s support.

        • RichardEnglish
          2•1 year ago

          Yeah and you can easily put custom ROMs on these, much more easily than on Samsung phones, though it is quite possible for older models of those (I am running Android 12 on my Samsung Galaxy Note II that is by now 11 years old lol)

      • brianorcaEnglish
        1•1 year ago

        Many preinstalled app can’t be uninstalled but can be disabled. Go to settings-apps and find the disable button for that app.

            • SokathHisEyesOpenEnglish
              2•1 year ago

              Thanks! I’ll give it a shot. I wish I could just have YouTube links open in the browser. I hate the app. I have to close it 3 times before the stupid video window goes away.

              • @viking@infosec.pubEnglish
                2•1 year ago

                You should be able to uninstall it using adb commands, if you’re willing to give it a try.

                Else, Newpipe is really neat. Background playback, no ads, sponsored segments automatically skipped.

                It’s basically youtube premium plus extra features.

                • SokathHisEyesOpenEnglish
                  1•1 year ago

                  I installed Newpipe yesterday, but I haven’t had a chance to use it yet. I hope it’s safe.

                  • @viking@infosec.pubEnglish
                    2•1 year ago

                    Been using it for >7 years now since one of the earliest alpha versions, perfectly safe :-)

              • brianorcaEnglish
                2•1 year ago

                Try pausing the video before you close it. Then it shouldn’t persist.

    • SenexEnglish
      2•1 year ago

      Just out of curiosity what phone did you switch to? My Samsungs getting a little old and I’m thinking about buying a new phone.