Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.
— Richard P. Feynman
I think the same is true for a lot of folks and self hosting. Sure, having data in our own hands is great, and yes avoiding vendor lock-in is nice. But at the end of the day, it’s nice to have computers seem “fun” again.
99% of people want computers to serve them, not to be fun. My SO couldn’t care less how much fun I have setting up home assistant. They just want to turn on the lights.
Well, yes, most people want computers to be unnoticable and boring. I agree, we need more boring tech that just does a job and doesn’t bother us. That said, plenty of people find self-hosting to be fun - your SO and mine excepted, of course.
For me it’s not even about better or worse, but about different. For them it’s a nice iteration after many years, but for be it is one of the dozens of apps I use irregularly that suddenly behaves and works different and forces me to relearn things I don’t have any gain from. Since each of the different apps get that treatment every once in a while, I end up having to adjust all the damn time for something else.
I would really like we could go back to functional applications being sold as is without forced updates. I do not need constant changes all the time. WinAmp hasn’t changed in 20 years and still does exactly what it is supposed to. I could probably spin up an old MS Word 2000 and it would work just like it did 20 years ago.
Many modern apps however change constantly. No wonder they all lean towards subscriptions if they “have to” work on it all the time. But I, as a user, don’t even want that. I want to buy the thing that does what it’s supposed to and then I want it to stay that way.
I’ve set up my SO with adfree alternative clients for Youtube 3 times now, and she always defaults back to the adinfested youtube app - and she’s at least a competent user. i cannot wrap my head around it, but it’s her time and attention she’s wasting, not mine.
If they’re on android, try revanced. It’s a patched YouTube apk, so the interface is the same (unless you change stuff, like, for example, disabling shorts - but by default, it’s the same).
— Richard P. Feynman
I think the same is true for a lot of folks and self hosting. Sure, having data in our own hands is great, and yes avoiding vendor lock-in is nice. But at the end of the day, it’s nice to have computers seem “fun” again.
At least, that’s my perspective.
This same argument goes for Linux as well. Linux allows you to turn the computer into anything you want it to be!
Recently getting back into Linux, it’s like choose your own adventure in computing. It’s been fun.
Self-housing, Linux, vim; hell, even gardening – they all fit this saying?axiom? pretty well.
Personally I don’t enjoy setting things up. I do enjoy not being tied down to evil corporations.
I do like setting things up.
Then I realise I need to fuck around with DNS to get it working nicely.
hardcode all the ip’s!
99% of people want computers to serve them, not to be fun. My SO couldn’t care less how much fun I have setting up home assistant. They just want to turn on the lights.
Sure, but did your SO set up home assistant?
No. They just want to buy an Apple home thingy 🥹
Yeah that kinda enforces their point.
Well, yes, most people want computers to be unnoticable and boring. I agree, we need more boring tech that just does a job and doesn’t bother us. That said, plenty of people find self-hosting to be fun - your SO and mine excepted, of course.
professional UI designers don’t seem to agree. they always feel the urge to come up with the next worst design
For me it’s not even about better or worse, but about different. For them it’s a nice iteration after many years, but for be it is one of the dozens of apps I use irregularly that suddenly behaves and works different and forces me to relearn things I don’t have any gain from. Since each of the different apps get that treatment every once in a while, I end up having to adjust all the damn time for something else.
I would really like we could go back to functional applications being sold as is without forced updates. I do not need constant changes all the time. WinAmp hasn’t changed in 20 years and still does exactly what it is supposed to. I could probably spin up an old MS Word 2000 and it would work just like it did 20 years ago.
Many modern apps however change constantly. No wonder they all lean towards subscriptions if they “have to” work on it all the time. But I, as a user, don’t even want that. I want to buy the thing that does what it’s supposed to and then I want it to stay that way.
My SO watches free tier youtube.
Edit: please stop with the alternative youtube client suggestions. I’ve tried. She likes the YT app and the ads. This hill is not worth dying on.
Nothing wrong with that on ad block. Intro them to pipepipe if they watch it mostly on mobile.
She refuses to use pipepipe. IDK why.
I’ve set up my SO with adfree alternative clients for Youtube 3 times now, and she always defaults back to the adinfested youtube app - and she’s at least a competent user. i cannot wrap my head around it, but it’s her time and attention she’s wasting, not mine.
If they’re on android, try revanced. It’s a patched YouTube apk, so the interface is the same (unless you change stuff, like, for example, disabling shorts - but by default, it’s the same).