this post was submitted on 26 Dec 2025
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I do a lot of work setting up computers and laptops for people, mostly getting software they need installed and setting up ad blocking so I don't need to come back later on and clean up a million viruses.
Lately, I've been offering a discount to people that allow me to get rid of windows entirely and install Linux, with the option to reinstall Windows for free later. I've had several people take me up on the offer, especially once I explain what Recall is to them. Only 1 has had me switch it back, and they needed to use some super niche piece of software that I just absolutely could not get running with wine no matter what I installed, and I suspect that it has something built in to make it not run on non-windows systems.
Basically, just explaining Microsoft's security nightmare in a way that your average person can understand (and I mean a real average person, not the average person as people on Linux forums see them) has gotten over 2 dozen clients to switch over to Linux with minimal issues.
Also windows borking like 5 peoples SSDs certainly helped!
Do you mind sharing your "script" or bullet points how you tell people about the Recall thing?
Basically it goes like this -
Imagine a stranger is standing over your shoulder with a notepad and a camera. Every couple seconds, he takes a photo of what you're doing and writes down everything you've typed. Then, the man hands that information off to another person. When you ask what that person is going to do with the info, the stranger assures you that he's a friend and your information is perfectly safe.
You don't know what it's being used for, and you can't be certain that the second stranger will actually keep your information safe. What if he just tosses it into an unlocked file cabinet? Anyone can now just come along and grab your information. That could be something as simple as something you looked at on Facebook. Or, it could contain your banking login. You can't be certain what they're taking notes and photos of, and what they or the strangers they supposedly trust are going to do with your information...
So basically just explaining what Recall and data selling are using metaphor combined with a not insignificant amount of fear mongering. The best way I've found to explain 99% of computer concepts to lay people is to avoid mentioning a computer as much as possible. This varies depending on the age of the person, but most of the time I'm cleaning or setting up computers and laptops, I'm doing it for someone 50+
Will just add myself here for the script
I've posted the script!