I've long used rsnapshot for automated incremental backups, and manually run a script to do a full rsync backup with excludes for /tmp, /sys and the like to an external drive.
In any discussion of Windows privacy a load of posts about Ubuntu "spyware" appear, suggesting an equivalence between Win 10's myriad issues and that short-lived much criticised easily disabled feature of Unity on one release of Ubuntu.
In the time of fake news and alternative facts, it is quite difficult to discern who is telling the truth and who isn't. After the revelations of programs like PRISM and XKeyscore it has become undeniable.
I think the general population is beginning to realize this. Obviously it takes time for people to understand things, but this information is years old at this point.
Since this is HN, I'm guessing you are asking about technologists and founders. I would say they should end surveillance on their users. Stop using ad-tech and analytics that tracks users. Log as little as you possibly can. Stop with the excessive rights grabs over your user's data.
But HN is also a lot of people like me - typical users. To them I would say use ad-blockers every where. Use HTTPS everywhere. When you are asked to give up privacy, consider what you are getting in return. For me, I'm comfortable with using Google services because it feels like I'm getting a lot. But with Windows 10, I'm giving up a lot of privacy for nothing in return.
I have no idea what to say about people like my parents. They have no problem with universal surveillance. Privacy is important only for protecting themselves from fraud. Same goes for my kids. They care even less about privacy than my parents.
re: windows 10... for most people it was a free major OS upgrade, increased security, modern browser with more frequent updates. I feel it was worth it as a free (as in direct monetary cost to me) upgrade.
I've got mixed feelings about the amount of telemetry data they collect.. I don't use cortana, and have disabled most of the options I can disable regarding this. That said, I mostly like the new UI/UX, and would prefer to have friends and family on a version of windows that is clearly better supported moving forward.
I wouldn't say that is nothing ... I also run a mac laptop, and my most used home PC, is the htpc connected to my tv running Ubuntu. Android phone and tablet... I'm not only using windows, but can appreciate what it does offer in trade for that privacy concern.
I too like Windows 10. I just wish Microsoft would charge what they need to charge and make sharing optional. At first the enterprise edition had switches to turn off the data sharing but as I understand it, even enterprise edition users have to let Microsoft watch them work now.
You're right though - lots of people did get it as a free upgrade. I'm not sure I'd like Microsoft off the hook though since a significant number were tricked into it. Plus I think my point applies even more aptly to users that didn't upgrade to W10. Microsoft added the data sharing features into Windows 7 and 8. So they literally were essentially forced into sharing private data with Microsoft for nothing in return.
edit: in the context of your comment, yeah there's no mistaking the headline is about american football.