Aaron Thomas wrote to Dr. What <=-

I've noticed that too. My computer hobby educates me, and I'm building something cool during the process. But when I see people wasting the
day away on videos that dis-educate them, it makes me realize that
their psych is being wasted and that they could and should be doing something creative as well.

Like any tool, it can be used for good or evil. I recall when computers were first introduced to schools. There were many opinions being thrown around.

But the bottom line is that, with the educational software available at the time, the "gifted" students could progress without being held back by the teacher who didn't want to work harder. So, of course, they had to "fix" that.

This is a good theory. I've heard about AI processors demanding more power, but I'm not sold on the reasons given for it, similar to how I'm not sold on the need for accelerated graphics in web browsing. I am
sold on the fact that the elite want as much information about us as possible, and it's perfectly logical to use that as a basis when trying
to decode their secretive behavior.

Another theory: Most operating systems today have lots of checks to make sure that the CPU isn't running anything malicious. But would those checks work on a GPU? A requirement for more GPU power potentially because it's running spyware that's not detectable today?

That's it. And this information they collect is surely going to be used
in their effort to control us.

Chekhov's gun:
"If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don't put it there".


... When choosing between two evils, select the newer one.
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--- Mystic BBS/QWK v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
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not sold on the need for accelerated graphics in web browsing. I am sold on the fact that the elite want as much information about us as possible, and it's perfectly logical to use that as a basis when tryi to decode their secretive behavior.

Another theory: Most operating systems today have lots of checks to
make sure that the CPU isn't running anything malicious. But would
those checks work on a GPU? A requirement for more GPU power
potentially because it's running spyware that's not detectable today?

This makes me realize that the Chrome/Edge developers are probably not targeting people with old hardware in an effort to get them to buy new hardware, because most people have already been conned into buying newer hardware and into using Windows. So they already have them where they want them.

It seems like this is an effort to target the smaller population of PC users who use linux and/or older machines. How are they victimizing the Windows/newer PC people already, and why do they care to get the smaller population on-board?

Maybe the newer GPUs (and I hope I 'm wrong about this) are releasing toxic chemicals, or something. Spying seems like a good guess too but I just don't see how it's possible through the GPU.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/04/30 (Windows/64)
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Aaron Thomas wrote to Dr. What <=-

This makes me realize that the Chrome/Edge developers are probably not targeting people with old hardware in an effort to get them to buy new hardware, because most people have already been conned into buying
newer hardware and into using Windows. So they already have them where they want them.

Probably. But I haven't used Windows for my personal computers for literally decades now. Work is the only thing that uses Windows and the IT dept usually dictates what versions of software we run.

Which is probably why I never see stuff like this myself. It's covered in a "Somebody else's problem field".

It seems like this is an effort to target the smaller population of PC users who use linux and/or older machines. How are they victimizing the Windows/newer PC people already, and why do they care to get the
smaller population on-board?

They already tried this with the TPM and "secure" boot stuff. But failed.

And while Linux is a smaller population than Windows, it's not a small population - as many hardware vendors found out fast when they made Windows-only systems for a short period.

But I think we are barking up the wrong tree when it comes to "force users to upgrade" idea.

That's been tried. It's failed (often horribly). So it must be something else.


... Wife to sleeping spouse: "Wake up! Who the hell is Tina!!?"
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

--- Mystic BBS/QWK v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi (1:120/616)

And while Linux is a smaller population than Windows, it's not a small population - as many hardware vendors found out fast when they made Windows-only systems for a short period.

But I think we are barking up the wrong tree when it comes to "force
users to upgrade" idea.

That's been tried. It's failed (often horribly). So it must be
something else.

Yea, and the possibilities are scary. The next thing to watch out for will be a large-scale effort to get people to keep their computers turned on at all times.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/04/30 (Windows/64)
* Origin: JoesBBS.Com, Telnet:23 SSH:22 HTTP:80 (1:342/200)

Aaron Thomas wrote to Dr. What <=-

Yea, and the possibilities are scary. The next thing to watch out for
will be a large-scale effort to get people to keep their computers
turned on at all times.

When that happens, we will know that they are using our computing/network resources without our knowledge/permission. That's treading on shaky legal ground, though.

So I would expect some sort of "user agreement" when you install Windows to cover it. I would also expect to see a larger move to Linux when that happens.


... I'm not spoiled...I'm not, I'm not, I'm not!
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

--- Mystic BBS/QWK v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi (1:120/616)

will be a large-scale effort to get people to keep their computers turned on at all times.

When that happens, we will know that they are using our computing/network resources without our knowledge/permission. That's treading on shaky legal ground, though.

So I would expect some sort of "user agreement" when you install Windows to cover it. I would also expect to see a larger move to Linux when
that happens.

They're already desensitized people to accepting their terms, so who knows what they're agreeing to these days.

So I would expect some sort of "user agreement" when you install Windows to cover it. I would also expect to see a larger move to Linux when
that happens.

People who are scared of Linux are like people who have TDS. They're also scared of saving money.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/04/30 (Windows/64)
* Origin: JoesBBS.Com, Telnet:23 SSH:22 HTTP:80 (1:342/200)

Aaron Thomas wrote to Dr. What <=-

They're already desensitized people to accepting their terms, so who
knows what they're agreeing to these days.

You got that right.

I'm starting to decline the user agreements if they aren't easily readable.

People who are scared of Linux are like people who have TDS. They're
also scared of saving money.

Or have another agenda.

At a previous company, they complained about the price of Microsoft Office and their license terms. I asked why they didn't go with OpenOffice (Libre Office wasn't out at the time). I was met with quiet stares but no answer.

Over the years, when they complained about the price, I told them "OpenOffice is still free" and asked where the cost/benefit analysis was for Microsoft Office (which they are supposed to do when deciding any product). Again, silence.

Something was up behind the scenes there.


... I'm not afraid of heights; I'm afraid of widths.
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

--- Mystic BBS/QWK v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
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At a previous company, they complained about the price of Microsoft
Office and their license terms. I asked why they didn't go with OpenOffice (Libre Office wasn't out at the time). I was met with quiet stares but no answer.

Maybe Microsoft has a rebate system with CEOs. "Waste the company's money on our crap, and we'll send a check to your house."

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/04/30 (Windows/64)
* Origin: JoesBBS.Com, Telnet:23 SSH:22 HTTP:80 (1:342/200)

Aaron Thomas wrote to Dr. What <=-

At a previous company, they complained about the price of Microsoft
Office and their license terms. I asked why they didn't go with OpenOffice (Libre Office wasn't out at the time). I was met with quiet stares but no answer.

Maybe Microsoft has a rebate system with CEOs. "Waste the company's
money on our crap, and we'll send a check to your house."

That's what it looked like to me. We did find out that the company did had a large chunk of Microsoft stock for the pension plan. But that's all we could really find out.

So we were never sure if it was a "No one ever got fired for going with Microsoft" or something more unethical.


... I may be wrong, but I'm never in doubt!
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

--- Mystic BBS/QWK v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi (1:120/616)