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0 pointspaganel6y ago0 comments

> you wouldn't feel confident driving 400 miles in a 2019 German car because of software?

Because of software and electronics combined, yes.

> What do you envision going wrong?

One of my closest friends purchased a VW Tiguan last year and not two weeks into his ownership the car left him stranded at the side of the read because of a coolant hose or something similar. If VW cannot make a simple hose not break after only two weeks in a 30,000 euros car I cannot trust their software verification processes and I'm not willing to spend that much money in order to find out. In other words, if they cannot properly verify a simple hose I cannot trust them with properly verifying software.

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ulfw6y ago

"One of my closest friends purchased a Macbook last year and not two weeks into his ownership the notebook left him stranded at the side of the read because of a power cable breaking or something similar. If Apple cannot make a simple power cable not break after only two weeks in a 3,000 euros notebook I cannot trust their software verification processes and I'm not willing to spend that much money in order to find out. In other words, if they cannot properly verify a simple power cable I cannot trust them with properly verifying software."

I really tried following your logic but it still escapes me what a hose has to do with software.

paganelOP6y ago

You do know that there's a strong correlation between Apple's downward standards in how they physically manufacture their latest laptops and the quality (or lack of) of their latest OSes, don't you? I don't want to start an endless Apple-related flamewar but the links and discussions about this subject on this very website are countless.

Like I said, if you're not bothered anymore of doing basic quality testing for things like coolant hoses then how can I trust the same company with doing basic quality testing for their software?

> if they cannot properly verify a simple power cable I cannot trust them with properly verifying software.

Yes, one of the reasons why I told my boss that I don't want a 2,500 euros Apple laptop (I chose a Mini instead, they're more sturdy, less expensive and I gathered more difficult to fuck up) were articles like this one [1]. And yes, it does involve a cable fuck-up.

[1] https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/19/18271733/flexgate-display...

olivermarks6y ago

On new cars if a component is faulty they fail quickly. I had a tire blow out on a brand new car I was driving home from the dealers in the UK once. Tires and hoses are easy, it's the opaque systems that are a nightmare to troubleshoot, given lack of documentation and manufacturer rules forbidding removing plastic engine covers etc

robocat6y ago

Always a good read on the subject:

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/the-most-and-least-expe...

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