intertwingly

Jim Stogdill: The automobile went through a similar evolution. From eminently hackable to hood essentially sealed shut. When the automobile was new, you HAD to be a mechanic to own one. Later, being a mechanic gave you the option of tinkering and adapting it to your specific interests. In fact, that’s how most people up until about 1985 learned to be mechanics.

• How many people out here have changed an alternator?  (I have, twice) Replaced spark plugs (ditto, several times) or spark plug wires? (once).  Not to mention batteries and other parts.  As a teenager in the 70’s, this was not unusual.  See this picture.  Look familiar to anyone?
• My daughter works part time at Best Buy.  Some of her co-workers were amazed that I had wiped the virus off of my wife’s computer.  They charge big bucks for this service.
• Tinkering skills will always be in demand.  I, for one, and pleased to see that hacking skill have progressed from here to here.