• deadkennedy@lemm.ee
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    2 days ago

    gaslighting

    Bro, i cut my teeth on FreeBSD 2.2.x and served in the Great Linux / Windows wars of 95 and 98…

    but im not so sure MS ever gaslit anyone. everyone seemed to have a pretty solid perception of reality.

    Maybe the term gaslighting means something new to you 🤷

    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works
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      15 hours ago

      I use it in the sense that Microsoft is changing what you perceive to be ownership. They’re essentially gaslighting you into believing that they actually own your PC, and that you need to upgrade to be compatible with Windows, instead of Windows being compatible with your hardware.

      • deadkennedy@lemm.ee
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        12 hours ago

        I use it in the sense

        right, like i figured, you’ve got your own definition 👍

        They’re essentially gaslighting you into believing that they actually own your PC

        can you share some examples of this behavior?

        • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works
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          11 hours ago

          Here’s the definition I see:

          psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one’s emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetrator

          My use is a bit hyperbolic, sure, but it’s in the same vein.

          Microsoft has slowly been taking more control:

          • Microsoft Store w/ UWP apps - attempt at lock-in
          • secure boot - makes some sense kn corporate devices, little sense on consumer devices and just forced Linux distros to scramble to support it
          • Windows login - first optional, then default, then you need a workaround to avoid it
          • Windows 11 essentially forcing a hardware upgrade, not for performance reasons, but “lock-in” reasons (need TPM because… security?)

          They’re really trying to take the “personal” out of “personal computer,” all in the name of “security,” implying that other approaches are “insecure.”

          In other words, they’re trying to alter what we see as “reality” when it comes to control over our own devices.