General Discussion

hunter

(40,394 posts)

21. It's a good reason to use Linux.

Thu Dec 11, 2025, 02:00 PM

Dec 11

I quit a very stripped down version of Widows 98SE for Linux and have never looked back. With Linux I have full control over what gets upgraded and what doesn't. New "features" are not installed automatically. The computer belongs to me, it's not some extension of the Borg.

Unfortunately the fascists are probably going to lock down all new computers and force people to pick their poison: Microsoft, Apple, or Android.

I'm still resisting smart phones, having given up on my quest to avoid cell phones entirely, but my choices are being limited. At the moment I have a dumb old 4G LTE flip phone. I recently got a replacement battery for it so it should be good for a few more years.

I'll be sad if I ever have to buy a car with built-in tracking devices and other "smart" features. My 20+ year old car has a computer that controls the fuel injectors and ignition. That's as smart as it gets.

For now, the "artificial intelligence" features of duckduckgo can be turned off. I'll find another search engine if they become intrusive.

Resistance is possible.

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Highlight:

I think tech is going to force us to use AI [View all] mysteryowl Dec 11 OP

I'm having a hard time seeing how AI is a good thing cyclonefence Dec 11 #1

ChatGTP is like the very tip of the iceberg. milestogo Dec 11 #27

AI should be illegal, imo. SheltieLover Dec 11 #2

append -ai to your searches and that gets rid of it... dwp6577 Dec 11 #3

I use DuckDuckGo for internet searches mysteryowl Dec 11 #8

DDG search makes ai-results opitional (at least in the desktop version) but some sneaks through. usonian Dec 11 #15

I never see any AI recommendations/summaries from DDG mysteryowl Dec 11 #17

I use it. I meant image search. Looking for an ai result block on the main page. usonian Dec 11 #19

I don't see what you are seeing mysteryowl Dec 11 #23

Tor is Firefox inside. usonian Dec 11 #24

Check out Chris Titus Tech on YouTube. cayugafalls Dec 11 #4

Thanks, because I fight with windows11 mysteryowl Dec 11 #9

You're welcome! ;-) cayugafalls Dec 11 #31

A.I. Is for Shareholders OC375 Dec 11 #5

AI is coming for your kids dweller Dec 11 #6

The Disney buy of 1B of open AI is why I posted this mysteryowl Dec 11 #10

OpenAI partnered with at least one toy company, too - Mattel. Not sure if there've been others. highplainsdem Dec 11 #29

21st century needs require 21st century tools... anciano Dec 11 #7

I know there are believers, I am not one. mysteryowl Dec 11 #11

It just steals all our art and creativity LostOne4Ever Dec 11 #13

There are reports... Chemical Bill Dec 11 #30

Yesterday I needed to call AAA because I had a tire problem kimbutgar Dec 11 #12

PayPal IMO is 90% AI mysteryowl Dec 11 #14

Got lost and needed a ride recently berniesandersmittens Dec 11 #25

The future is open source, for example linux. usonian Dec 11 #16

Let us know on DU when you reinvent the internet mysteryowl Dec 11 #18

DU will be the first to know! usonian Dec 11 #20

It's a good reason to use Linux. hunter Dec 11 #21

Absolutely KT2000 Dec 11 #22

AI will give us advice that Putin and orange fatso want us to get nt wolfie001 Dec 11 #26

Most of my office are gleeful adapters. maxsolomon Dec 11 #28