Loose Parts by Dave Blazek for December 21, 2024

I hate that about software now.

I recently read an article about a company that does exactly that.

You will own nothing and you will be happy.

Santa’s adding these two to the naughty list.

If only the updates useful and bug free. Oh, how Windows 11 disappointed me. Just had to submit for an improve noise reduction for high speed photography.

Back in Tsarist times the Russian serfs would say ‘we own the land, but the master owns us.’

It will require parents to put down a deposit …

… which may be refundable upon return of the toys …

… depending on the condition of the toys upon their return.

exactly what streaming music is

Elfin’ ridiculous.

Those two just consulted BMW about their heated seats.

This is the first year the rogue elves approached Santa and he’s shocked!

Not all software subscriptions are bad.

Renting Office 365 is a good deal if you have multiple computers and need “real” office for the occasional freelance work that you do. If all you want is email, web browsing and “basic” word processing there are free options that will work for these functions.

I have a whole host of free applications that I use, but there are two that I am willing to pay for.

The first of these is MalwareBytes. Along with Windows Defender which you get as part of Windows, it provides a very strong defense against malware. It will clean up just about anything. The best defense is using your computer wisely, but it is nice to have backup. MalwareBytes has a free version. I recommend downloading it and running a scan once a week or once a month depending on how you use your computer.

The other application is Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs encrypt your traffic, something you definitely want to do if you are on a public network. So I have it on my phones and laptops. The version I have allows unlimited devices.

I even have VPN on my smart TV. Why? VPN also allows you to “spoof” your location. I have Paramount Plus that carries the local CBS affiliate. If the game I want to see is on CBS in Los Angeles, I can tell my TV to connect to the server in Los Angles. Some people use VPN to get around regional settings for other streaming services.

For the paranoid among us, VPN will also keep your ISP from monitoring what you are doing. It will know that your are using a VPN, but it won’t know what you are doing.

Have you ever thought that the computer virus are done by the software makers to get you to buy virus protection. Have you ever notice your computer runs slower and slower and locks because of all the ads and complexity of the ads? This is to get you to by a new and improved machine so they bombard with more ads.

I wrote a short story that I never published, back in the late ’90’s where part of the story was owning physical magazines violated copyright laws and were essentially outlawed. The gist was that some HS friends and one of their dads used some vintage magazines that the dad had collected with some inherited from his dad (i.e. they were legal to own when he bought them and when his dad bought them) to build a project in the magazine and when they went to use that project, the copyright holder had the local police arrest them because physical magazines were against the law. It’s not that bad, yet, but I saw this situation coming even back then. I had hoped I was wrong.

SaaS: Santa as a Service

Grandpa is upset, he wants them to mail him the movie on VHS.

Brought his own elf, I see.

You nor your children will own the software for their games. If they soon develop AI “companions” for children, you will not own those either – no matter how customized they have become through interaction with your child. The company may take them away at any time and, if you think losing an old teddy bear is a problem, “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet”.

Seems we went through the software ownership issue a few decades ago, especially with Microsoft. We didn’t own it but we did have exclusive use of it… for a fee of course.

I keep my subscriptions at a minimum, all those companies want you to subscribe so they make money each month. In February I will lose my basic cable which is provided by my HOA, the cable company they (HOA) said will not renew. Me: Bye

The used market is saturated and functionally obsolete. Contract termination should include a scrapping and dumping fee.

They autopay a fee for that.

We’re heading for a feudalistic economy.

A guaranteed revenue stream.

santa doesn’t really subscribe to that sort of approach…