iOutlet Closed
MLA Citation
Anonymous. “iOutlet Closed.” BGSU COVID-19 Stories. BGSU University Libraries, 21 Dec. 2020, lib.bgsu.edu/COVID19stories/items/show/450. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Title | iOutlet Closed |
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Description | With little explanation, iOutlet closed in late February of 2020. The man who founded it, Michael Oberdick originally of Luckey Ohio, is a fascinating individual, and he may have had a positive effect on how the COVID-19 pandemic plays out. The following notes are my personal findings, albeit well sourced, so take this with a grain of salt. Michael Oberdick was a noted proponent of Right To Repair legislation. While he certainly can’t be credited with the movement as a whole, or necessarily as a hugely prominent figure, his role was not insignificant either, having testified to the Nebraska Legislature in favor of Right to Repair (Source: 1). He had also collaborated at times with Louis Rossmann and iFixit in media promoting Right To Repair legislation. (Source: 2) In 2017 he published a piece in the BG Independent Media explaining his views, and noted that such legislation could have benefits for maintaining medical equipment. (Source: 3) Three years later, he was vindicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As manufacturers are unable to keep up demand for critical medical supplies, people are likely suffering because hospitals are less able to turn to local technicians for repair of existing equipment due to artificial restrictions created by companies seeking to protect their intellectual property. (Source: 4) Had the right to repair movement been weaker, I speculate that these problems would only be exacerbated. Doing some digging, I was able to figure out why these iOutlets closed. They were not being scuttled, but simply joining a franchise of Mobile Phone repair shops. (Source: 5) However COVID-19 seems to have placed that on hold. - Only slightly related note, many local techies were well aware that there would likely be supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19. The very same day that iOutlet closed LinusTechTips, a major technology YouTube channel from Vancouver Canada which had recently surpassed 10 million subscribers, uploaded a video talking about supply chain issues. The video urged it’s viewers to make any urgent or critical purchases while they were still able to. (Source: 6) - PS: Kudos to those who won't let their rights be trashed! Hack the planet! [Source 1](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/105/PDF/Transcripts/Judiciary/2017-03-09.pdf , https://web.archive.org/web/20200312192606/https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/105/PDF/Transcripts/Judiciary/2017-03-09.pdf) [Source 2](https://youtu.be/DUYq_mLasQ8) [Source 3](https://bgindependentmedia.org/right-to-repair-would-be-good-for-consumers/ , https://web.archive.org/web/20200224182023/https://bgindependentmedia.org/right-to-repair-would-be-good-for-consumers/) [Source 4](https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/a32144222/hospitals-ventilators-right-repair-covid-19/ , https://web.archive.org/web/20200425131912/https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/a32144222/hospitals-ventilators-right-repair-covid-19/) [Source 5](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cpr-cell-phone-repair-announces-140500455.html , https://web.archive.org/web/20200504215125/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cpr-cell-phone-repair-announces-140500455.html) [Source 6](https://youtu.be/SPoPwrQwm_g) |
Creator | Anonymous |
Date | 2020-04-30 - 5:48PM |
Place | Bowling Green (Ohio) |
Text | To assist with readability and accessibility, below is a human made transcription of what is printed on the posted closure sign, with minimal modifications made for formatting purposes. - iOutlet is no longer in operation. We would like to thank you and the wonderful community for your continued loyalty and patronage. . . . Our last day of operation is Friday 29th, 2020. If you have questions regarding warranties or anything else, please email contact@ioutlet.net - |
Rights | |
Language | eng |
Coverage | North Main Street |
Format | image/jpeg |
Identifier | https://lib.bgsu.edu/COVID19stories/items/show/450 |
Type | Text |