A physical object these days, from a car to a camera, is more defined by software than hardware. For instance the gas pedal in your car is not actually attached to the engine. In the old days is was attached to a cable that controlled a valve in the carburetor – push is hard and the valve let in more gas and the engine ran faster. How it functioned was defined by the hardware components and their mechanical adjustments. Today your gas pedal controls a switch that feeds information into a computer which based on its programmed responses will tell different parts of the engine to react based on your input. It is possible to change the programming to make your car super gas-efficient or a race-ready speed rocket – still within the larger limits of the engine and other components, but there can be a considerable range of software variability possible. Other hardware has the same issues – for instance the shutter button on your camera isn’t actually attached to the camera shutter – again it triggers a stream of software cause and effect.
This change from a mechanical/hardware driven function to software control has been subtle, gradual, and I think largely unnoticed by most people unless something goes wrong – as the recent Toyota cars running out of control with suspected software malfunctions. For most consumers this change has been a good thing, resulting in cheaper, better functioning products – the iPad has certainly garnered plenty of attention. But as Richard Stallman pointed out almost 25 years ago, software is policy – and manufacturers will always favor their needs (control, earn a profit) over the end-user’s needs (make my stuff do what I want.) Hardware can be open source – like the Arduino controller – which is a supportable business model. Or manufacturers can ignore, or even actively encourage open source hardware hack projects to evolve – as with the Canon Powershot camera. Many will argue that we should let the marketplace reward and encourage these enlightened approaches (I will not longer consider iPod or iPad purchase due to the closed proprietary platform). And not use legislature to pressure the more closed, and outright hostile to end-user control (as with Apple) manufacturers to open up. I’m not quite sure what the answer is, but I do think an active, public debate is needed. I support calls for the US Department of Justice to open monopoly investigations into Apple’s practices around the iPhone and iPad apps support. There may not be enough there to justify prosecution, but it is worth the time to look.
CHDK – Unleash the POWER in your Canon PowerShot!
What is CHDK?
The need for Right to Repair legislation has become a necessity in order to protect the rights of car owners to decide where and how they have their vehicles serviced, whether at a new car dealer or an independent service facility.
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Randall Rode's online home for thoughts, notes, and experiments with a wide range of technology topics. Visit the about page for info on my recent projects and professional background. I welcome your comments!
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