Most serious developers I know have switched to Powerbooks running linux or windows on a virtual machines. If you're a professional developer, a chromebook whether the pixel or otherwise is useless. If you want to get your kid a computer -- buy them a Raspberry Pi and they'll get a gui and can learn to code while they're at it. Chromebooks are nothing more than another way for Google to get as much personal information from you as possible.
What, if anything can we do to stop pervasive surveillance (with the accompanying evisceration of our Constitutional rights).
1) We can't resign ourselves that this trend is irreversible (that's what they want).
2) If your personal circumstances permit, participate in organized protests (if a miracle happens and there are mass protests -- which I doubt -- there are strength in numbers and you are less likely to be arrested, fired, etc)
3) Switch to open source as much as possible. Nothing is 100%, but proprietary is completely opaque. This goes for OS, crypto, etc. In this vein, take the Electronic Frontier Foundation's advice and particularly stay away from Microsoft products. It appears that they've been the coziest with the NSA on several levels.
4) Abandon the 'cloud' and tell Google, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo, and assorted suspects WHY. Industry lobbyists literally write the laws and you'll see changes in a New York minute if these companies start losing significant money.
5) Don't use the major search engines -- use ixquick or GoGoDuck and continue (or start) to use TOR just to make the NSA's work a little more difficult.
6) Make a bunch of noise in the direction of your elected representatives. They're mostly douchebags but are still afraid of constituents if they get barraged with a ton angry correspondence.
7) If you have the coding skills, get involved in the open source movement or engage in creative civil disobedience (LULZ shouldn't be underestimated).
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Most serious developers I know have switched to Powerbooks running linux or windows on a virtual machines. If you're a professional developer, a chromebook whether the pixel or otherwise is useless. If you want to get your kid a computer -- buy them a Raspberry Pi and they'll get a gui and can learn to code while they're at it. Chromebooks are nothing more than another way for Google to get as much personal information from you as possible.
What, if anything can we do to stop pervasive surveillance (with the accompanying evisceration of our Constitutional rights). 1) We can't resign ourselves that this trend is irreversible (that's what they want). 2) If your personal circumstances permit, participate in organized protests (if a miracle happens and there are mass protests -- which I doubt -- there are strength in numbers and you are less likely to be arrested, fired, etc) 3) Switch to open source as much as possible. Nothing is 100%, but proprietary is completely opaque. This goes for OS, crypto, etc. In this vein, take the Electronic Frontier Foundation's advice and particularly stay away from Microsoft products. It appears that they've been the coziest with the NSA on several levels. 4) Abandon the 'cloud' and tell Google, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo, and assorted suspects WHY. Industry lobbyists literally write the laws and you'll see changes in a New York minute if these companies start losing significant money. 5) Don't use the major search engines -- use ixquick or GoGoDuck and continue (or start) to use TOR just to make the NSA's work a little more difficult. 6) Make a bunch of noise in the direction of your elected representatives. They're mostly douchebags but are still afraid of constituents if they get barraged with a ton angry correspondence. 7) If you have the coding skills, get involved in the open source movement or engage in creative civil disobedience (LULZ shouldn't be underestimated).