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I have not used Librem, but I own a Pinephone. Anecdotally, while the initial impression of community edition was not great ( I personally blame ubuntu as defau

I have not used Librem, but I own a Pinephone. Anecdotally, while the initial impression of community edition was not great ( I personally blame ubuntu as default OS ), I eventually tried PostmarketOS ( on HN recommendation actually ) and I am now going through side by side testing with my work phone as a backup. For basic stuff ( phone, text, light net use ) it works. It is not polished. It is very much underpowered.. but there is something to be said for having that level of control over a machine. I think I agree with you; it will take take time the same way it did with desktop linux. Still, I am more optimistic now.. we are starting to have real options outside of the duopoly forced down humanity's throats. And.. even if you are not ready to jump onto new hardware, you can install Kali linux in Android now[1]. [1]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxOGyuGq0Ts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxOGyuGq0Ts

squarefoot 4y ago
> you can install Kali linux in Android now This solves some problems (running Linux UI and apps) but leaves some very important others unaddressed (security). The point isn't just installing Linux but also removing from devices every piece of non free -as in not open, therefore non auditable and by extension not trustworthy- piece of firmware/OS/software. The hardest part is achieving that goal and many initiatives are struggling to get as close as possible to that point. As a Linux guy, I would love being able to turn a spyware ridden phone into a 100% open Linux platform, but if someone said like that it can be done, but they're using *BSD, or Haiku, or whatewer 100% open OS out there, that would be great anyway.
- A4ET8a8uTh0 4y ago
  I don't disagree, but it is important to have options to match various use cases. Even few years ago, it would not be feasible just in terms CPU power to run another OS on top of Android. So while it does not address some issues ( and one could argue create some new ones ), it is overall a positive development. We want more people looking at it from different angles and saying something along the lines of: "God damn it. The current status quo is not working for me. Let me change it." I applaud such effort in that space. Fake Android/Apple choice aggravates me.

squarefoot 4y ago

> you can install Kali linux in Android now This solves some problems (running Linux UI and apps) but leaves some very important others unaddressed (security). The point isn't just installing Linux but also removing from devices every piece of non free -as in not open, therefore non auditable and by extension not trustworthy- piece of firmware/OS/software. The hardest part is achieving that goal and many initiatives are struggling to get as close as possible to that point. As a Linux guy, I would love being able to turn a spyware ridden phone into a 100% open Linux platform, but if someone said like that it can be done, but they're using *BSD, or Haiku, or whatewer 100% open OS out there, that would be great anyway.

A4ET8a8uTh0 4y ago
I don't disagree, but it is important to have options to match various use cases. Even few years ago, it would not be feasible just in terms CPU power to run another OS on top of Android. So while it does not address some issues ( and one could argue create some new ones ), it is overall a positive development. We want more people looking at it from different angles and saying something along the lines of: "God damn it. The current status quo is not working for me. Let me change it." I applaud such effort in that space. Fake Android/Apple choice aggravates me.