The hottest Repair Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Thinking through Linear With Threshold

Gordian Knot News • 65 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🔬 Science Radiation Models Repair
  1. Linear No Threshold (LNT) is criticized for over-predicting harm in low dose rate situations like nuclear power plant releases.
  2. Linear With Threshold (LWT) models have variations where the threshold is on dose or dose rate.
  3. LWT models, although an improvement, still have flaws in considering the repair period after radiation exposure.

Why Monopolies Hate Repair

Fight to Repair • 118 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Monopolies Repair Market Power Right-to-repair Competition
  1. The fight for the right to repair is closely tied to the fight against monopolies. Companies like Apple use control over repairs to limit competition and maximize profit.
  2. Monopolies can hinder a circular economy by prioritizing profit over repairability. The push for a real circular economy requires challenging traditional capitalist notions.
  3. Legislation like the Digital Markets Act can help combat the restrictive practices of monopolies and create a more repair-friendly future. Advocating for right to repair policies and regulations is crucial in this fight.

"Buy, Don't Repair" Is Subtle Message of Google Ad Campaign

Fight to Repair • 138 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Data Privacy
  1. The Google ad campaign conveys the message of 'Buy, Don't Repair' by promoting replacing products over repairing them, highlighting the impact of consumer culture and convenience.
  2. There is a significant focus on increasing the longevity of products through right to repair initiatives, emphasizing the importance of repairing, reusing, and reducing waste before resorting to recycling.
  3. Various issues related to repair and longevity, such as companies limiting repair resources, the spread of 'Deere disease' affecting maintenance, and the impact of support policies on vintage products, are highlighted in the text.
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DRM Gone Wild: The Polish Train Liberation Controversy

Fight to Repair • 78 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Repair Manufacturers Software Hardware
  1. Polish hackers faced legal pushback after repairing a train that a manufacturer attempted to render inoperable remotely, highlighting the risks of DRM and anti-competitive behavior.
  2. DRM controls extend to various devices like farm equipment and cars, restricting repairs to authorized technicians and limiting consumer choice, highlighting the need for right to repair laws.
  3. Companies use DRM and legal threats to control products, emphasizing profit over consumer rights, leading to the rise of the 'landlord economy' where users pay for ownership and usage rights.

The Big Question: What Comes After Right-to-Repair?

Fight to Repair • 78 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Legal Advocacy Repair Product Design
  1. Several states have been passing comprehensive right-to-repair laws, indicating that the movement is gaining traction and popularity.
  2. The concept of the Overton window helps understand how companies like Apple are adjusting their stance on repair due to legislative and consumer pressure.
  3. The focus is shifting towards challenges beyond just access to parts and information, with emerging concerns surrounding software restrictions and product design in the right-to-repair movement.

🚀 1,000 Subscribers and Beyond!

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Repair Community Ecology Global Economics
  1. Right to repair is a common sense issue that is supported by the general public as it is a fairly simple concept that people can relate to.
  2. The right to repair movement goes beyond just fixing phones and computers; it touches on labor, ecological systems, and technology, providing a critical lens to view larger societal problems.
  3. Repair is a global concern that transcends national and cultural boundaries, highlighting its universal importance as a human activity.

On International Repair Day: Much To Celebrate

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🌐 International Repair Environment Legislation Recycling Sustainability
  1. International Repair Day is an occasion to celebrate repair skills, promote sustainability, and advocate for a more circular economy worldwide.
  2. Significant progress has been observed globally with the adoption of repair laws in various regions, including the US, Canada, India, and the EU.
  3. The movement for the right to repair is growing, aiming for repair accessibility for all, with events, advocacy, and initiatives globally to support a shift towards a more repairable world.

Golden: California Becomes Third State To Enact Broad Right To Repair

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Repair Legislation Tech Giants Digital technology Competition
  1. California became the 3rd state to enact a broad electronics right to repair law, following New York and Minnesota.
  2. The California Right to Repair Act expands repair protections for consumers, guaranteeing access to repair materials for a wide range of products and setting minimum support periods.
  3. State right to repair campaigns are gaining momentum, with more states considering similar legislation to improve repair access and combat planned obsolescence.

The $800 Billion Secret Inside Your Car: Data

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Data Collection Repair IOT Digital Rights
  1. California is investigating how car companies collect data, emphasizing the importance of data transparency and ownership for vehicle owners
  2. Vehicle data is projected to be worth $800 billion by 2030, highlighting the lucrative nature of data collection from cars for companies
  3. Consumers often lack awareness of the data being collected from them, leading to potential privacy concerns and issues with car companies' practices

Empty Promises of Circularity

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Repair Environmental Impact Corporate Power E-Waste
  1. Overconsumption is pushing Earth Overshoot Day earlier each year, highlighting the urgency to change consumption habits.
  2. Repairing tools like bicycles promotes self-reliance and community, resisting corporate control over repair and parts.
  3. The push towards a circular economy needs careful consideration; ending ownership doesn't automatically address corporate power, and repairability is key to combating 'enshittification'.

Citing Danger of “Ink Spills” Epson Programs End of Life for Some Printers

Fight to Repair • 157 implied HN points • 27 Jul 22
🕹 Technology Hardware Legal Environment Consumer Rights Repair
  1. Epson printers have a pre-determined 'end of life' programmed into their software without clear disclosure at purchase, pushing customers to replace or service their printers.
  2. Users encountering the 'end of life' message can temporarily reset it using an Epson utility for Windows, but Mac users must seek service or replace the printer.
  3. Epson designed their printers to stop working to prevent potential property damage from ink spills or safety issues, leading to concerns about electronic waste and right-to-repair practices.

It's a Trap? Deere Signs Repair MOU With Farm Bureau

Fight to Repair • 78 implied HN points • 09 Jan 23
💼 Business Repair Legislation Industry Advocacy Agreements
  1. Deere signed an MOU with the American Farm Bureau Federation to provide some repair tools, but it may not give farmers complete access to necessary repair resources.
  2. Although the MOU is seen as a positive step, there are concerns about its enforcement and whether farmers will truly have all the tools needed for repairs.
  3. Despite the MOU, there are lingering questions about whether farmers will still require help from authorized providers for certain critical repairs.

Bicycles: An Antidote To Throw-Away Culture

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Repair Sustainability Right-to-repair Electronics Environment
  1. Bicycles can serve as a model for repairing and reusing items, fostering community connections, and resisting over-consumption.
  2. Understanding how to repair objects we rely on makes us more self-reliant, teaches us to help others, and deepens our respect for the materials and work that go into creating these objects.
  3. Promoting intentional ownership and repair of items, like bicycles, can help shift our global consumption habits, build community through repair organizations, and reduce waste in our society.

Are Bicycles Becoming Less Sustainable?

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Repair Recycling Emissions Circular Economy
  1. Some argue the sustainability of bicycles is decreasing with the introduction of e-bikes and resource-intensive materials, prompting a need to return to simpler designs and materials.
  2. Not all bicycles have the same environmental impact, especially when considering their lifecycle, repairability, and the materials they are made of.
  3. Repairing bicycles is a crucial way to extend their lifespan and combat the disposable culture in the cycling industry, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing repair over constant innovation.

More than six billion smartphones on Earth, but who will fix them? Week in Repair

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Legislation E-Waste
  1. Over 6.92 billion people own smartphones worldwide, making up 86.34% of the population. These devices typically last 2-3 years before adding to the growing e-waste crisis.
  2. Apprenticeships for device repair are crucial to address the demand for repair professionals. Establishing industry standards and training programs can create sustainable careers in tech.
  3. State legislatures are advancing Right to Repair bills for agricultural equipment and electronics, aiming to provide consumers and independent repair shops with parts, tools, and information to fix their devices.

Our Picks For The Top Repair Stories of 2022

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 15 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Regulation Repair Sustainability Hardware E-Waste
  1. State-wide laws are crucial for the right to repair movement to succeed, as seen in 2022 with wins in New York and Colorado.
  2. Companies like Apple's self-repair program may offer solutions, but without clear legislation, it can fall short in truly empowering consumers.
  3. Governments are taking steps towards standardization, like the EU mandating USB-C, to reduce electronic waste and increase sustainability.

Report: 86% of Appliance Makers Withhold Repair Manuals - Week in Repair

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Consumer Rights
  1. 86% of appliance makers do not provide full repair instructions, making it difficult for consumers and repair professionals to fix appliances.
  2. Manufacturers often restrict access to repair information and require expensive subscriptions to software tools, limiting owner and independent repair options.
  3. Investigations have revealed that manufacturers may discourage repair to promote new product purchases, but there are efforts like the FTC considering regulations to strengthen consumer rights to repair.

At FixFest: Growing a Movement Post-Pandemic

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 03 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Repair Sustainability Education Community Advocacy
  1. Teaching repair skills in schools and establishing networks of Repair Cafes are key ideas discussed at FixFest to promote repairability and reuse.
  2. Advocates highlighted the need for a legal right to repair, pointing out the barriers individuals face when trying to repair items.
  3. Efforts to promote repair independently of regulations post-COVID were emphasized at FixFest, showcasing the resilience and growing interest in repair events.

The Week in Repair: June 5 - 11

Fight to Repair • 78 implied HN points • 14 Jun 22
🕹 Technology Repair Regulations Standardization Consumer Electronics
  1. New York's Fair Repair Act is a significant step in the right to repair movement, potentially paving the way for other states to follow and reducing electronic waste.
  2. Kyle Wiens of iFixit emphasizes the importance of right to repair laws in extending the lifespan of gadgets and promoting local repair economies.
  3. The FTC is prioritizing rooting out illegal repair restrictions, especially in the face of rising car repair costs for consumers.

Fight to Repair Weekly: Week of November 21, 2022

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 24 Nov 22
🕹 Technology Repair Podcast News Events Social media
  1. When discussing Right to Repair with family, focus on personal connections and positive experiences rather than getting into politics right away.
  2. Different approaches to talk about repair with different people: car lovers, tech enthusiasts, politically-minded individuals, environmentalists, or those seeking cost-efficient solutions.
  3. Interesting news like Apple potentially removing iPhone ports due to EU regulations, India creating an online repair portal, and barriers to repairable products in Canada are noteworthy updates in the fight for repair rights.

Fight to Repair Daily: Wednesday October 19, 2022

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 19 Oct 22
💼 Business Repair Automotive
  1. Actor was stuck in Tesla for 24 hours due to key fob issues, highlighting a potential flaw in the system.
  2. The FTC is considering new rules requiring appliance repair info, but access to firmware and software is crucial for effective repair.
  3. Rising aftermarket auto part prices are impacting consumers, leading to less focus on auto care and softer industry revenue forecasted for 2023.

The Week In Repair: May 29 - June 4

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 06 Jun 22
🕹 Technology Repair Laws Environment Automotive Design
  1. New York Assembly passes first electronics right to repair bill, becoming the first state in the nation to do so. This is a milestone achievement for right to repair advocates after years of unsuccessful attempts.
  2. A report highlights the importance of a legal right to repair for wheelchair owners to ensure prompt, high-quality service at an affordable price. This emphasizes the need for a fair market for repair and service.
  3. An overload of lawsuits against John Deere regarding right to repair issues is being consolidated in a federal court in Illinois. This illustrates the ongoing legal battles in the fight for right to repair.

Fight to Repair Daily: Monday, September 26, 2022

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 26 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Repair Antitrust
  1. Big tech companies like Apple are being criticized for their superficial support towards the right-to-repair movement, with issues like inflated costs and limitations in repair programs being highlighted.
  2. Modern cars and tractors are becoming increasingly complex and expensive to repair due to advanced technology and proprietary repair software, leading to challenges for users in fixing minor issues and high repair costs.
  3. Efforts to promote right-to-repair legislation globally are gaining traction, with scholars and legal experts advocating for better access to repair information and parts to empower consumers and reduce electronic waste.

“It Just Struck Me As Wrong.” Kyle Wiens on Apple’s War on Customer Repair and the Birth of iFixit

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 15 May 22
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Apple Podcast
  1. Kyle Wiens founded iFixit after being inspired by Apple's restrictive behavior towards repair information, leading to a global right to repair movement.
  2. Wiens saw the need for individuals to have access to repair information not provided by manufacturers, sparking the creation of iFixit's platform for user-generated service manuals.
  3. The journey towards establishing the right to repair involved challenges, learnings about the influence of corporations, and ongoing efforts in various states to pass right to repair laws.

Fight to Repair Daily: Friday, September 16 2022

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 17 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Repair Legislation Recycling Sustainability
  1. Several Right to Repair bills are stalled in Congress, impacting access to repair information and options for consumers and independent repair providers.
  2. The New York Right to Repair Act aims to change the repair landscape by giving independent repair providers access to diagnostic and repair information previously limited to OEM-authorized providers.
  3. Reusing old phones and gadgets is more beneficial than recycling, as current methods do not efficiently recover all materials. Finding ways to repurpose old devices is encouraged for environmental sustainability.

Customers Revolt After Arlo Announces Premature End of Life for Cameras - Week in Repair

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Security Internet of Things Legislation Repair
  1. Companies facing backlash for prematurely ending support for products is becoming a common trend in the tech industry, leaving consumers frustrated and stranded.
  2. There is a growing movement advocating for the 'right to repair' which includes legislation efforts in various states and countries to empower consumers to fix their own devices.
  3. The trend of internet-connected devices reaching 'end of life' stages, with limited support and updates, highlights the potential waste and security risks associated with smart products.

Liberate the appliances! Washing machine hacker outsmarts anti-repair measures - Week in Repair

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Repair Hacking Legislation Software Enforcement
  1. ChuxMan successfully hacked his washing machine to fix it after the manufacturer refused to share firmware information, showcasing the challenges consumers face in repairing home appliances.
  2. Enforcement is crucial in ensuring the right to repair, as highlighted by the ChuxMan incident where legislation alone was not enough to facilitate repairs.
  3. The link between software access and repair restrictions is evident in various cases, such as Apple intentionally slowing down iPhones and John Deere using software locks to impede repairs.

Tesla is a Vocal Opponent of the Right to Repair. Now we know why.

Fight to Repair • 98 implied HN points • 19 Jul 21
💼 Business Tech Automotive Repair Consumer Rights Economics
  1. Tesla's repair costs can be significantly higher due to limited service options, as seen in a $16,000 vs. $700 repair scenario.
  2. Tesla's reluctance to offer part replacements and focus on assembly replacements can lead to inflated repair costs for consumers.
  3. Tesla's opposition to right to repair laws highlights the importance of independent repair shops for affordable maintenance and repair options.

Fight to Repair Daily: July 18, 2022

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 19 Jul 22
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Legislation Consumer Rights Electronic Devices
  1. Microsoft's Surface Laptop SE marks a significant moment where big tech is starting to take the right to repair seriously, offering repairable and available parts.
  2. The US is moving towards self-repair with bipartisan bills introduced in Congress to protect consumer rights to repair their products and vehicles, amid issues of warranty voiding and data ownership concerns.
  3. College campuses, including the students, are criticized for being unaware and uninvolved in countering corporate power and abuses, focusing more on other issues like diversity and politically correct speech.

Repair-flation? Apple Continues Cost Increases of Battery Replacements - Week in Repair

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 04 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Environmental Impact
  1. Apple is increasing the costs of battery replacements for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, making it more expensive for users to get their devices fixed.
  2. Apple strategically makes repair difficult and expensive by limiting third-party repairs through software locks and pricey authorized service, pushing users towards upgrading instead of repairing.
  3. In a market where competition is scarce, like smartphones, rising repair costs will likely drive more people to repair by necessity rather than choice, showcasing the need for affordable repair options.

The Week In Repair: May 8 - 14

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 16 May 22
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Apple Microsoft Automakers
  1. Efforts are being made to protect the medical right to repair by hospitals, repairers, and public health groups to ensure competition in the industry.
  2. Caterpillar is pioneering the practice of refurbishing old engines, thereby promoting sustainability, reducing costs, and boosting revenue from services.
  3. Microsoft's closure of physical stores has impacted its repairability efforts, showing the importance of accessible repair centers for customers to learn, seek help, and fix devices.

Apple Grants Repair Indulgence for iPhones

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 17 Nov 21
🕹 Technology Hardware Repair Legislation Market Software
  1. Apple's new Self Service Repair program is a significant shift for the company, signaling a change in their stance on repair by allowing customers to access genuine parts and tools.
  2. The program, while a step in the right direction, falls short of a true 'right to repair' legislation, as it is limited in scope to specific iPhone models and doesn't offer support for independent repair shops.
  3. Apple's Self Service Repair program, akin to an 'indulgence,' is discretionary, controlled by Apple, and may still impose barriers like limited parts access and software restrictions on repairs.

The Week in Repair: April 3 - 9

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 11 Apr 22
🕹 Technology Repair Legislation Antitrust Hardware Environment
  1. Google teams up with iFixit to offer Pixel phone repair parts, underlining a shift towards consumer repair options in major tech companies.
  2. Nebraska agricultural right to repair bill gets filibustered, preventing farmers from accessing repair materials for farm equipment, despite industry support.
  3. European Union votes in favor of Right to Repair laws, including extending warranty periods, marking a significant step towards repairability in consumer electronics.

Fight to Repair Weekly: Week of November 14, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 16 Nov 22
🕹 Technology Repair Circular Economy Right-to-repair Electronics Recycling
  1. France is offering cash bonuses to consumers to repair their electronics, leading the way towards a circular economy.
  2. Washington D.C. has launched an interactive map to promote repair, reuse, and second-hand shopping, showing a commitment to reducing waste.
  3. Repair initiatives like these show a shift towards prioritizing sustainability and waste reduction over convenience and consumerism.

Video: Can Repair Short Circuit Our Tech-Enabled Dystopia?

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 25 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Repair Dystopia Monopolies Rights Security
  1. In our current reality, device makers use various tactics to maintain monopolies on repair services, which can lead to a less secure ecosystem and poorer service for consumers.
  2. The 'right to repair' movement aims to combat these monopolies and create a circular economy that reduces waste and enhances security and privacy for technology users.
  3. Experts at the DEF CON Conference discussed how dismantling repair monopolies can help prevent a 'Brazil' style dystopia and promote a more sustainable and secure tech landscape.

Fight to Repair Daily: Friday October 21, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 22 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Repair Software Legislation Right-to-repair
  1. High tech cars are becoming complex with sensors and computer chips, making repairs more difficult and expensive for consumers.
  2. New Jersey is considering a law to ban subscriptions for car hardware features, preventing automakers from charging extra fees for using built-in hardware.
  3. The FTC is proposing an initiative to require companies to provide repair instructions with household appliances, aiming to strengthen consumers' right to repair products and potentially reduce repair costs.

Debugging my daughter’s broken e-reader

The Technically Challenged Newsletter • 4 HN points • 07 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Repair Troubleshooting Hardware DIY
  1. Initial troubleshooting steps included charging the e-reader, performing soft and full resets, and checking the charging port and battery.
  2. Hardware debugging involved attempting to fix the charging port and then replacing the battery when the issue persisted.
  3. The repair process required creative solutions like using a different battery and making adjustments to ensure the e-reader was functional.