3 ms·

> One of the neatest things about it, and I still have to wrap my head around it, is that it can do anything you can do on a desktop. SSH? No problem? Dev envir

by zepto 5y ago

> One of the neatest things about it, and I still have to wrap my head around it, is that it can do anything you can do on a desktop. SSH? No problem? Dev environment? "apt install build-essentials". Want to install XFCE? Knock yourself out! You can do all these things with a $10 raspberry pi-w. It’s not obvious why it helps with having security and privacy.

kop316 5y ago
Respectfully, I think you missed the point of my reply. The person asked: "Would love to hear if anyone is actually using a Linux phone and enjoying it." ...so I responded about what I enjoy about using a "Linux Phone". A "$10 raspberry pi-w" is not a Linux Phone. The question didn't address "security and privacy", so I didn't add it. Though, since you brought it up, I will answer how the Pinephone "helps with having security and privacy". - I have hardware (cut physical power) switches to kill the Microphone, cameras (independent for front and back), and Wifi/Bluetooth. - I am running a full GNU/Linux distro that I have a lot more confidence in their want to protect users security/privacy. - I can run software of my choosing on it (the Pinephone actually defaults to booting on an SD card! so it encourages you to experiement with OSes). - There is serious effort to run the mainline Linux kernel on it, so it will not be artifically obsolete in 3-5 years (or be sutck on running some ancient swiss cheese kernel in 5 years like my old Pixel/Nexus devices). - I don't have to install/link to some opaque binaries to even boot the system. I'm sure I can think of more, but that's all I have for now.
- zepto 5y ago
  Fair enough - I fully agree it would be enjoyable for a Linux enthusiast. I have had one on my shopping list for some time, but I want to use it as a daily driver and since most people say it isn’t ready for that, slightly lower level projects keep winning out.
  - kop316 5y ago
    > I want to use it as a daily driver What I have encountered is the requirements for it being a daily driver are user specific. I have seen a fair amount of users say "I need $FOO app to work", where $FOO is some an app only developed for Android/iOS (a common one is a banking app, there is almost no way that company will support a Linux phone). So I guess I would ask what your requirements are before I can say if it is daily driver ready or not. My threshold for it being a "daily driver" is if I can fully replace the "phone" features of my Android phone, which for me, is: Calling, SMS, MMS, Voicemails. MMS is not yet UI functional, but will be sooner than later. The good news is I am seeing the Linux Phone movement be a positive feedback loop: the more features add, the more users, and the more folks helping to add features.
    - zepto 5y ago
      Sure - for me (and likely >99.9% of people), from what I have read, it is clearly not ready. I’m a heavy phone user in most respects. For me it would have to start as a hobby project.

by zepto 5y ago

kop316 5y ago

Respectfully, I think you missed the point of my reply. The person asked: "Would love to hear if anyone is actually using a Linux phone and enjoying it." ...so I responded about what I enjoy about using a "Linux Phone". A "$10 raspberry pi-w" is not a Linux Phone. The question didn't address "security and privacy", so I didn't add it. Though, since you brought it up, I will answer how the Pinephone "helps with having security and privacy". - I have hardware (cut physical power) switches to kill the Microphone, cameras (independent for front and back), and Wifi/Bluetooth. - I am running a full GNU/Linux distro that I have a lot more confidence in their want to protect users security/privacy. - I can run software of my choosing on it (the Pinephone actually defaults to booting on an SD card! so it encourages you to experiement with OSes). - There is serious effort to run the mainline Linux kernel on it, so it will not be artifically obsolete in 3-5 years (or be sutck on running some ancient swiss cheese kernel in 5 years like my old Pixel/Nexus devices). - I don't have to install/link to some opaque binaries to even boot the system. I'm sure I can think of more, but that's all I have for now.

zepto 5y ago
Fair enough - I fully agree it would be enjoyable for a Linux enthusiast. I have had one on my shopping list for some time, but I want to use it as a daily driver and since most people say it isn’t ready for that, slightly lower level projects keep winning out.
- kop316 5y ago
  > I want to use it as a daily driver What I have encountered is the requirements for it being a daily driver are user specific. I have seen a fair amount of users say "I need $FOO app to work", where $FOO is some an app only developed for Android/iOS (a common one is a banking app, there is almost no way that company will support a Linux phone). So I guess I would ask what your requirements are before I can say if it is daily driver ready or not. My threshold for it being a "daily driver" is if I can fully replace the "phone" features of my Android phone, which for me, is: Calling, SMS, MMS, Voicemails. MMS is not yet UI functional, but will be sooner than later. The good news is I am seeing the Linux Phone movement be a positive feedback loop: the more features add, the more users, and the more folks helping to add features.
  - zepto 5y ago
    Sure - for me (and likely >99.9% of people), from what I have read, it is clearly not ready. I’m a heavy phone user in most respects. For me it would have to start as a hobby project.