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Dutch governments builds alternative for Microsoft based on NixOS

1021 points · 583 comments · fjfaase

  1. askonomm · · focus · HN ↗
    Any move away from the abusive big tech that exists in USA is a good move in my book. Microsoft just recently made a new patent where they will monitor you via camera and microphone to block your program/game to show you ads, and per ads viewed, you then earn credit to be able to use your program/game. It is absolutely wild to me how a corporation can be so toxic and abusive to its users and still be in business.
    1. DrBazza · · focus · HN ↗
      My pet peeve is changes in 'user agreements' for paid services that add increasing amounts of adverts and tracking, but if you decline, you can't use the service, but the service continues to charge you. For the service they're no longer supplying.

      Just the kind of thing that the EU could regulate if it chose. Decline -> Your subscription will be terminated, no further monies will be debut from your account, are you sure?

      1. rkuodys · · focus · HN ↗
        I'm more interested in the cases where you buy your phone, for example, and after purchase you are asked to agree with terms and conditions. Money is paid already. If you do not agree, you cannot use the device. Worse still, if 2 days after thre is mandatory update that forces you to agree to new version. If you don't like them, you should be compensated for it, as it is hidden information from you as a buyer.
        1. ishouldnotbutk8 · · focus · HN ↗
          >Money is paid already. If you do not agree, you cannot use the device

          Well, you can always return the phone. For online purchases you have 14 days to return it just because (you don't need to provide a reason).

          1. pseingatl · · focus · HN ↗
            Where in the UCC does it say that? There may be a State regulation or a company policy, but I don't recall anything in the UCC about a "free" 14 day return policy. I can return a used car, no questions asked, after 14 days? Good luck with that.
            1. mopsi · · focus · HN ↗
              That's an European thing. Anything bought remotely (mail, phone or the internet) can be returned up to 14 days for a full refund.

              Some minor exclusions apply, eg hygiene products can't be returned after they've been opened.

              1. rkuodys · · focus · HN ↗
                Well, not really. If you have unpacked the iphone - I'm pretty sure it's not gonna be easy to return even within the 14 day window. You can return unpacked though, which is not the point of what I'm saying. Also for the benefit of the argument, change 2 days to 15 and you end up at the same place- you cannot legally return the device, User agreement has changed in ways you don't accept and you are forced to use device, for which you have paid or accept loss and buy another device. Oh and also, you cannot change OS to the alternative one for which terms might be more acceptable to you. How is this not a subject of investigation- I don't know.
                1. microtonal · · focus · HN ↗
                  You can absolutely return it within the 14 day window, even unpacked.

                  During the reflection period, you may open the packaging. You may try or fit the product, just like in a normal store. But you are not allowed to do more than what is needed to judge the product. For instance, you can try pants. But you cannot wear the pants for several days and then return it. If you do this anyway and the product loses value? Then the seller may charge you the damage. The seller needs to inform you of this before you buy the product.

                  <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;consument.acm.nl&#x2F;aankoop-dienst-annuleren&#x2F;bedenktijd" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;consument.acm.nl&#x2F;aankoop-dienst-annuleren&#x2F;bedenktijd

                  I have sent back products within the 14 days, including smartphones that I tried and decided that I don&#x27;t like it. Some sellers also extend the 14 days to 30 days.

                  Changing the terms later is a completely valid point though and it should be possible to reject any updated terms IMO.

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