The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source We have a right to repair! (Interview)
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Mar 15, 2024 Kyle Wiens, Founder and CEO of iFixit, passionately discusses the Right to Repair movement. He details Oregon's recent legislation that empowers consumers to fix their devices and highlights challenges from corporations like Apple that limit repair options. The conversation dives into the history and implications of the DMCA, the environmental impact of non-repairable devices, and the importance of standardized repairability scoring. Wiens also shares how iFixit funds advocacy through tool sales, making a case for the consumer's right to repair and innovate.
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iFixit Origin Story
- Kyle Wiens's iFixit began when he couldn't find a service manual for his iBook online.
- Apple used DMCA takedowns to remove manuals, so he created his own.
Parts Pairing
- Oregon's Right to Repair Act bans parts pairing, a practice where device components are linked by serial numbers.
- This limits repairs and prevents combining parts from multiple broken devices.
Apple's Motivation
- Apple's parts pairing is motivated by profit through AppleCare and control over customer experience.
- Wiens disagrees, arguing localized repair options offer better experiences.