[Bug 59695] Re: High frequency of load/unload cycles on some hard disks may shorten lifetime

[Ryan Waldroop]

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I've been trying to keep my personal opinions in this matter to
myself, as this is not a forum for discussion but rather a place for
work.  Instead of work being done to actually *fix* the problem, all
I've been reading are thinly veiled "threats" against Ubuntu...people
wanting to leave because of this.

This is outrageous!  This bug affects me, yes, but it does *NOT*
affect all users.  How would each of you propose that Ubuntu "fix"
this problem?  There's been multiple solutions provided in this
thread...Do they throw a dart at them while they hang on the wall?
Some people here have reported that certain "fixes" dramatically
increase temperature.  This causes problems not only for the HDD but
also for other components that could succumb to the added heat.  Some
people require an hdparm 254, others a 255.  Some need 192, others
128, others somewhere in between.  What would you propose as the
default?  You can't *possibly* pick just one, because you could
destroy someone's computer that way.

No, instead, the Ubuntu developers are trying their hardest (I'm sure)
to find and write a fix that is a safe and viable solution for
/everyone/.  As of now, it's a simple matter to fix for the users that
it most directly impacts...It's much easier for 1 person to see which
of 3 or 4 fixes works on 1 machine than for many devs to see what
works across the board on thousands of machines.

Now for my pet peeve: several people have posted that they "work" in
IT or Tech Support, and they seem to imply that they are constantly
helping non-linux-literate people switch to Ubuntu and other OSS, and
this one bug is keeping them from doing that.  This is a MAJOR red
flag to me.  Tech Support is all about a *personal* touch.  You are a
branch, a lifeline, between the user and the rushing river of
technology.  You have to be able to sit down and spend time with each
person.  Sure, some people are like you and I...able to sit down and a
computer and click at things until we figure it out.  Others NEED
HELP.  That's why we get paid what we do to *help* them.  I have
successfully switched many people to Ubuntu, but ONLY because I took
the time to install it and configure it to their needs first.  Could
you imagine a brand new, scared to click and look around, user trying
to install flash from the Adobe website?  Or attempting to download
MSN or AIM because they didn't know what Pidgin was?  No, when someone
first switches it's necessary to show them the basics and make sure
everything works.  The last user I switched was a French girl studying
in America.  When I installed Ubuntu, she had a DPI problem that
involved editing in a terminal to fix.  Once that was done, I checked
this bug (which didn't affect her), and took the time to show her the
ropes--installing programs, switching from english to french, using
firefox, pidgin, and an "MS Office" (compatible) suite.

In closing, if you are going to switch, fine.  If you are going to use
Ubuntu, great!  If you want to help, then please fix bugs or spread
the word or make artwork...THANKS!  If you have a problem, then just
remember that this is OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE.  That means you can fix
bugs, file bugs and wait for other VOLUNTEERS to fix them, and most
importantly you are free to *modify* it to your needs...you are given
the tools to fix your hard drive Load Cycling if need be.  If you
choose NOT to exercise these rights, then please don't complain!  (And
if you choose to work in Tech Support, then please spend a little
quality [and quality assurance] time with your users!)

Sorry for the long post,
Ryan

PS--signed, because I think this is a VERY important post :P
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High frequency of load/unload cycles on some hard disks may shorten lifetime
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/59695
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