What operating system do you prefer to run your browser and wallet on?
IMO it is this one (or derivative works).. Far from perfect, but it really is a necessity. Ubuntu seems to be the path of least resistance and keeps the core principals intact. I think any average awake individual will have to come to some sort of conclusion like this especially when they see their freedom and rights just slipping away due to corporate greed taking advantage of lazy people just looking for a easy fix. I intend to keep my privacy and freedom even if takes up some of my time to learn how to use it... Ultimately I became a console "power" user and I'm glad, I am confident this investment will pay off for the rest of my life and perhaps even then some.
http://www.ubuntu.com/about/about-ubuntu/our-philosophy
Ok, so you don't need to be a console power user.. But you know how to type. The console is full of great ideas... nothing to run from... At least with Ubuntu you can defer using it when necessary until you have the time and mindset to learn it... Let me know if I can help. I think we will be safer here in terms of security and privacy.
Is this question simply targeting on the philosophy of OSes or do you draw conclusion for the development process from this thread? Is it of Importance on which OS the wallet is run?
Thanks and Regards,
Matthias
It has a lot to do with a program running on a local machine and being available to trust it. The important thing is that you don't have lurking bugs or intentional back-doors. These can surface later when more people are relying on the software. Terms of service can't protect from this or may allow it entirely. With some new agreements is just puts is in plan open ended english: we can upload your personal information legally.
If you protect the layer closest to you you have a lot more to work with when it comes to interacting with remote services. We all know there are tricks that can be done to make these more trustless. This only works if your brain is capable of intense computational power or if you have a device that you can trust to do this. Stuff on my radar are: cars, phones, personal computers and in the future personal robotics (you have seen iRobot right?) ..
It is very hard to audit the insides of a compiled program you can mostly observe it. Observing encrypted data that leaves your machine on a regular basis is equally difficult. The more popular or valuable a piece of software the more of a target it is... Software updates have been uploading data and suspected of uploading operating system file searches without the user's consent for many years. I expect that activity not covered by terms of service is wide-spread. If you can't audit it their is no other rational way to look at it: Guilty until proven innocent.
What would also help is if the public demands it. No good gaming platforms? I say put get a group effort going. Put the pressure on hardware and software creators to fix it. One individual's rants are likely a wast of time. But a large group can really make a difference in a hurry. Coordinate with in-expensive block-chain voting. In the mean time, run games on a dedicated machine but be aware that the machine may have eyes and ears (at least it does not have legs ...).