The coffee analogy breaks down though because there are plenty of options for refillable pods for the "senseo" style pod machines. And Kurig (and others) sell a refillable K-cup for those style machines. Where there is a demand for something, someone will fill it.
Re:The freedom to drink coffee
by icebraining on Monday March 12, 2012 @02:36PM
(#3694761)
Well, that still as an analogue: jailbreaking.
Additionally, the hippie could start fabricating his own pods that replicate the originals sufficiently to work in the manufacturer's machines. The equivalent in software is fast becoming untrue, as platforms increasingly take on tight control by the platform maker, enforced with cryptographic protections.
I'll go a bit further saying that, while nobody's a loser, I also understand the hippie's cry for a change: Everyone around him is buying espresso machines with pre-formated coffee capsules. The hippie gives away his capsules as whole grains; theoretically, it's the best way of distributing it. However nobody knows what to do with whole grains anymore. People chose the convenience of the capsule, and nobody cares to even try to appreciate this hand-made, fine grained, home grown coffee the Hippie wants to give away for free.