"Right to repair" appliances.

mapj1:

. . .

And actually the financial position currently makes a total mockery of the trade secrecy that surrounds the circuit diagrams and so forth. What is going to happen - some one else nick the circuit and make it cheaper ?  Software can be copied for minimal outlay, hardware cannot.

When I used to augment my income by repairing TV and radio equipment in the 1980s and early 90s, circuits, assembly diagrams and all the rest were readily available - its not some new and strange idea. . . .

Yes, I remember when service sheets for audio-visual equipment were readily available, and I used them to good effect. Around 1991 I wanted to add a pre-amp socket to a music centre so that I could record vinyl records onto a medium other than compact cassette. My enquiry to the manufacturer was refused, with the reason: "It's illegal for us to provide them; the user could electrocute himself." If this was indeed the law and not just some protectionist arrangement then it is just another example of nanny-state interference.


I am not sure it is desirable for every type of appliance to be long lasting. Refrigerators and freezers seem to have very long lives and need little maintenance. However newer types are much more energy-efficient, so the economics of continuing to run old fridges are questionable. I'll be saying more about this in a post I have planned for the near future. Watch this space!

mapj1:

. . .

And actually the financial position currently makes a total mockery of the trade secrecy that surrounds the circuit diagrams and so forth. What is going to happen - some one else nick the circuit and make it cheaper ?  Software can be copied for minimal outlay, hardware cannot.

When I used to augment my income by repairing TV and radio equipment in the 1980s and early 90s, circuits, assembly diagrams and all the rest were readily available - its not some new and strange idea. . . .

Yes, I remember when service sheets for audio-visual equipment were readily available, and I used them to good effect. Around 1991 I wanted to add a pre-amp socket to a music centre so that I could record vinyl records onto a medium other than compact cassette. My enquiry to the manufacturer was refused, with the reason: "It's illegal for us to provide them; the user could electrocute himself." If this was indeed the law and not just some protectionist arrangement then it is just another example of nanny-state interference.


I am not sure it is desirable for every type of appliance to be long lasting. Refrigerators and freezers seem to have very long lives and need little maintenance. However newer types are much more energy-efficient, so the economics of continuing to run old fridges are questionable. I'll be saying more about this in a post I have planned for the near future. Watch this space!