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From: Rich <rich@example.invalid>
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.misc,alt.os.linux.mint
Subject: Re: smart plugs???
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:55:46 -0000 (UTC)
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In comp.os.linux.misc Phillip <nntp@fulltermprivacy.com> wrote:
> On 1/16/25 3:07 PM, Rich wrote:
>> In comp.os.linux.misc D <nospam@example.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, 16 Jan 2025, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 16/01/2025 09:33, Mike Scott wrote:
>>>>> On 15/01/2025 20:31, Pancho wrote:
>>>>>> I think you have to be careful that they are not controlled by a
>>>>>> cloud service.  If you have a cloud service you need a working wan
>>>>>> connection and you are exposed to the cloud service provider
>>>>>> disappearing.
>>>>>
>>>>> (Thanks to all for replying)
>>>>>
>>>>> This is the rub.  tp-link clearly /want/ the consumer to use their
>>>>> "cloud" service - which is usually just a fancy codeword for 'we
>>>>> want your data'.  There's no actual /need/ that I can see in this
>>>>> case.
>>>>>
>>>> Actually there is.
>>>>
>>>> It is the simple way to solve 'remote access' to your 'behind NAS'
>>>> network connected gadgets
>>>>
>>>> Now *we* can organise that because we are geeks, but te average
>>>> coinsumer?  Doan mak me larf!
>>>
>>> I use tor to give me a globally unique name where I can access my
>>> stuff behind NAT as a Tor hidden service.
>> 
>> 99.1% of the total users would be incapable of achieving what you are
>> doing with Tor, even if given infinite time to set it all up.
> 
> I don't disagree that most users are not likely to be able to set up 
> complex things, but realistically, companies should always make it 
> possible to bypass their cloud service.

Full agreement.  Sadly the commercial entities don't seem to provide 
that ability except in rare cases.

> Offer users the option, if they want it. But never force it or make it 
> mandatory. Philip's Hue does not require an account at all to use their 
> smart hub and lights/devices. In fact, their app can operate without any 
> internet connection at all. (You can disconnect your internet cable from 
> your router and turn off data on your phone and set the entire thing up 
> locally with the app, without any internet or online account creation.)

Which is how all the other IoT stuff should be too.  Sadly, too many 
companies don't even think to offer the "non-cloud" option.