More Advanced Processors, Greater Privacy Intrusions
by Diana
One thing that makes me happy is that a TI-99/4 emulator still exists for me to develop and explore privately; the ability to think of a game or even to write a simple random color abstract portrait maker. All without having to worry about viruses, pop-ups, and even snooping.
The abstract random color portrait program is:
This program is a simple program and when it runs on a TI-99/4, no data is sent to Google, no data is sent to Microsoft, no one else logs any time of information at all; it is private to you. Or, private to who you are showing the computer screen to at your home.
The TI was around from 1978 to the early 1980s. I actually had a TI-99/4 and like the 99/4 more than the 4A. It was a hybrid 8/16-bit processor with 16 MB of addressable memory via bank switching along with movable graphics called "sprites," the first computer to have it.
An advanced processor, but, no Wi-Fi or modem component that was built into the chip, which could be turned on by outside sources. So, if a computer was built like the TI-99/4, then you would not need to put a piece of paper over the camera to avoid outside images of you being seen without your permission; what you write or program is private, no world data log on a data farm for all of perpetuity (the right to be forgotten).
There was no price of admission for the TI-99/4 as compared to Web 2.0 and other advanced processors developed after 1995, the advent of Windows 95.
What is one to do? For me, when I heard about Linux in 1996, I jumped on and installed my first Slackware distribution into my 16 MB Leading Edge and always prefer Linux with my 64-bit laptops. The issue of privacy still remains.
With the TI-99/4 and my trusted Osborne 1, there was great privacy even up to 2005. The reason it was trusted was because the connecting modem was a separate component that was not part of the chip or the main computer board. By not being part of the chip or the main computer board, it meant that the only access by the outside world to your computer was by that box. You decided when and where; no one could access your computer from the outside world without the box. Also, the firmware of the TI-99/4 on system and on cartridges was such that it followed a privacy practice too. No embedded modem or Wi-Fi chips; so, again, total privacy without data logging or snooping. With the Osborne 1, the same thing.
In 2000, there was a short-lived TV series that discussed the fourth-generation of a chip which had a modem and Wi-Fi embedded on a chip and a group was trying to warn people about misuse. The misuse now is greater than in 2000; think about the aspects of social media.
In the 1990s up to the early 2000s, many of us participated in chat rooms and we knew that chat room logs were gone quickly. No permanence - you could chat. For many coming out, the privacy due to lack of permanence allowed many to first do this on the Internet. In many communities today, there are still harsh consequences for those who do come out.
Again, when faced with the question of privacy - older designs of computers that were made for fun and development while practicing full privacy in contrast to those made by advertisers and marketers who want to sell your information, I like the older design better. It is a reason why I have one laptop I compose and develop on that is not part of the Internet and why I use a "sneaker network" to transfer my data via flash drive (again never used on the Internet).
Isn't it time that we design computers, laptops, and games again where we have our privacy like the old retro systems? I feel comfortable and better using a system where I know that my keystrokes are not logged, even if it means I have to use a second system to access the Internet.
Given the amount of over-commercialization which has made others concerned about privacy and having their data sold, what about restarting the old BBS networks where no data-farming is allowed and no private data is kept?