There are SOOOOOO many ways to implement age verification checks. And this is one of the worst. What is wrong with people
this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2026
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It's because the goal is surveillance
... and I'm grateful for that but maybe we can finally decouple from OEM for OSes? Maybe could JUST buy a computer and not be forced an OS on it?
Sure I admit it feels nice to unwrap a new device, turn it on, set up few options and use it. Yet, the alternative it to turn it on, plug a USB drive on it, turn it on, set up few options, wait for 15min tops for installation to proceed and use it.
It's actually a ~15min difference but it could bring so many good practices.
You can buy computers without an operating system installed on it but most consumers barely understand what a computer is and would think that a computer without an operating system was broken. So there never was much of a market and then Microsoft came along and paid the OEMs to install Windows.
Quite a few website will let you untick the windows 11 licence if you want to go your own way.
Unfortunately the Linux market is so fragmented that your average user is overwhelmed. This is not helped by the Linux community who in a general rule are not particularly accommodating towards novices.
This is not helped by the Linux community who in a general rule are not particularly accommodating towards novices.
Luckily this trend is shifting! More and more linux distros oriented towards users new to linux, and helpful communities.
Most people today think computers like toasters, they don’t mind what OS they use or how to setup it. They want it to be ready to use right after they get it to the home. Similar as toasters or microwave ovens, you don’t expect to have to do any setup work for them. I don’t think it’s a good way to start using the computer, but unfortunately most people are that kind of people. That’s why Linux will never be the mainstream OS, no matter how hard you try to convince people to install and use it.
But then people would have to learn. That's scawy 🥺
Learn about a tool that is basically in the middle of some of the most crucial interactions in their lives? From receiving an email to vote, to booking an appointment to get a passport, to working, to dating, to browsing an encyclopedia, to entertainment broadly, to creating music, to ...?
I'll stop there but yes, even though learning is scary I think if the safety net is clear enough (namely you just can't mess up so badly your brand new computer won't work) then it's worth investing in.
You don't need to convince me. I'm all for people having a basic understanding of the tools they use on a daily basis.
But my observation is that people seem predominantly opposed to the idea.
That's like saying that everyone should become an electrician. It's just not a practical expectation.
No. But everyone should have a basic understanding how electricity works, so they're not surprised that they better switch it off when working on the wiring and can at least make a guess of how it'll behave once powered.
They don't need to get into the dynamics of capacitors, diodes, transistors or other electronic components, but having heard of them certainly wouldn't hurt.
Linux for personal use can be undependable. I have a use case where I don’t mind configuring stuff, but once setup I need that shit to mf work every time all the time and it not working results in direct loss and depending on when potentially substantial loss. I say this as an avid linux user.
Although in fairness Windows is not being particularly reliable in that regard as of late.
if you run into stability issues on Linux the problem is either your distro or you.
Does this mandate include OS's with no GUIs? Are the asshats writing this aware that there's more than just Windows and Apple?
I think these laws are written with focus on Mobile where such os and app/website signalling is more prevalent
Probably. But they also aware that most of people use only apple or windows. Sadly, but in personal computers segment Linux is not very popular.
Whats up with these sudden age check laws being introduced everywhere?
It’s part of the tech bro mass surveillance oligarchs and Israel tightening the freedom of speech noose worldwide
Governments wanting to identify and regulate speech under the guise of protecting children
The California law does not require age verification. Only attestation. From what I have heard the Colorado one is basically identical.
The NY one I have heard is more stringent. But I have not read that or the Colorado one.
Still a 1st Amendment violation, no? Compelling speach
While I can't comment on any case law surrounding compelled speech. I don't thing that this would qualify as compelled speech.
Just based off a quick web search it seems that compelled speech is more about the government telling news organizations to report what they tell them.
Hit everything at once, cause confusion and anger, distract from Epstein files and rising prices.
it's a checkmark on a politicians career without them having to do anything real
there's many issues politicians will rally under if they see that it's minimal work + huge virtue signaling potential (think of the children ! )
Just a coincidence, don't worry about it!
Facebook is lobbying them so they don't have to do age checks on Instagram and can maximize the revenue
Fucking raise hell and cause chaos. Age checks are bullshit. All while our government is filled with corruption and pedophiles. Maybe stop listening to such an immoral entity.
This is the way. Come to the anarchist side. We have less cookies and a lot of FOSS
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