this post was submitted on 04 Sep 2025
223 points (98.7% liked)

Linux

12951 readers
229 users here now

Welcome to c/linux!

Welcome to our thriving Linux community! Whether you're a seasoned Linux enthusiast or just starting your journey, we're excited to have you here. Explore, learn, and collaborate with like-minded individuals who share a passion for open-source software and the endless possibilities it offers. Together, let's dive into the world of Linux and embrace the power of freedom, customization, and innovation. Enjoy your stay and feel free to join the vibrant discussions that await you!

Rules:

  1. Stay on topic: Posts and discussions should be related to Linux, open source software, and related technologies.

  2. Be respectful: Treat fellow community members with respect and courtesy.

  3. Quality over quantity: Share informative and thought-provoking content.

  4. No spam or self-promotion: Avoid excessive self-promotion or spamming.

  5. No NSFW adult content

  6. Follow general lemmy guidelines.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Thought of this the other day. I bet a lot of us are like this, because in today's world a lot of things we used to tinker with are gone (electronics are made to be single use and unfixable, cars are proprietary and can rarely be modified or worked on without many many thousands of dollars now, etc).

Sure, there are still hardcore electronics projects going on and people doing massive restoration projects and such, but i consider them basically geniuses, not just tinkerers who enjoy messing around and learning in their spare time while working 50 hours a week.

Im glad linux gives us a space to exist!

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] BCsven@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Open source hardware is the bigger issue

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Open source hardware is the bigger issue

We have more open source hardware today than has ever existed. Prior to RISC-V boards you can buy right now every single CPU available was closed source. Further, RISC-V is cheap which means it is a good foundation for future growth and scaling.

[–] BCsven@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

RISC is not fully developed yet, people are working on it, but we don't have mainstream purchasable stuff yet

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

As I said, "good foundation for future growth, but even then you can buy boards and even a couple of laptops right now with RISC-V CPUs:

[–] BCsven@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago

Let's hope it takes off

[–] MudMan@fedia.io 2 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Is it?

I mean, you can "tinker" just fine on commercial, proprietary hardware. That's the point of programmable computers in the first place.

[–] BCsven@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Microcode that runs the chip: what does it do? Is it back doored? Closed source chip architecture means we can't develop for it or know the operation

[–] MudMan@fedia.io 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

So just to be clear, OP is here saying owning a Raspberry Pi goes beyond tinkering and is for engineer nerds and you're jumping in to propose that you want to develop your own microcode or you riot?

You may be in the wrong thread, friend. If you want to chat about how afraid you are of what AMD and Intel are putting in your morning cereal you may want to start your own conversation about it instead.

[–] BCsven@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago

Yeah you might be right. I dont like microcode locked down.

Already burned by 2017 null password vulnerable on IME.

MS and government will use proprietary crap to become more invasive.

[–] bridgeenjoyer@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Try modifying a tesla and get remotely locked out when it phones home (actual scenario)

Thats the future of all electronics corps want!

[–] MudMan@fedia.io 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Yeah, no, but that's my point. Cars, and particularly certain cars, have become less accessible and more locked down.

But a bunch of other stuff has popped up that wasn't there before, too. Try home automation, self-hosting, 3D printing or energy self-generation back when you remember servicing your own car or modifying the exhaust on your motorcycle (teenagers here didn't have cars in the first place, actually).

That's why I'm saying you're mixing up two things. It's one thing that corpos are closing down mainstream consumer products, it's a very different thing to claim there is no tinkering left outside of... installing Linux in your old laptop and having to troubleshoot it constantly or whatever that scenario is.

It's just not true. There's plenty of tinkering left, new and old, in a bunch of spaces. Which is not connected to whether or not you get to upgrade the RAM in your Mac Mini. Different things.

[–] MalReynolds@piefed.social 3 points 1 day ago

servicing your own car or modifying the exhaust on your motorcycle (teenagers here didn't have cars in the first place, actually)

Today's equivalent is building your own ebike, and it's awesome and way easier than rebuilding an engine.