Re:Rethinking the computer ‘desktop’ as a concept
by MereInterest on Monday May 31, 2021 @07:28PM
(#27349221)
I don't think those are the only options. For example, Linux Mint shows an icon in the system tray to indicate when repository updates are available. I fully own the computer, and it is my choice if/when to apply updates. However, that doesn't imply that each individual program needs to yell at me at startup to get updates.
Re:Rethinking the computer ‘desktop’ as a concept
by the_af on Monday May 31, 2021 @07:52PM
(#27349374)
Yes, that's why I mentioned it as the extreme alternative. An option more in the middle is a gentle, non urgent, non nagging reminder.
But what about security updates, though?
Re:Rethinking the computer ‘desktop’ as a concept
by KeepFlying on Monday May 31, 2021 @08:19PM
(#27349512)
For security updates it still depends on risk though.
A flaw in my browser is extremely high risk and I require it fixed and updated quickly. But a flaw in my SSH server that is only accessible from behind a VPN is lower. And the risk is lower still if it's a flaw in a feature which I do not use.
I don't see an easy solution of course, it's a hard problem. But I wish that I had more granular control over what and when I update, and was given a clearer way to see the impacts of the update so I could weigh risk.
The extreme alternative to "device, please don't ask me when you want to update something, just do it" is losing control of your computer. If you're comfortable, like the author mentions, having your digital "home" be away from your devices, to "live in the cloud", I guess this doesn't matter (at least, while your favorite cloud providers and services don't shut down taking all your data with them, decide to hike prices, or ban you for breaking some ToS rule).
If you want to fully own your computer, it matters. You don't want to give away all control over it.