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> OP, you might be interested in Android I think. It runs a Linux kernel, you can enable root access, On average, that's not really true. Android uses badly mo

> OP, you might be interested in Android I think. It runs a Linux kernel, you can enable root access, On average, that's not really true. Android uses badly modified and unmaintained versions of Linux (the kernel), and both root access and the ability to install a replacement operating system are immensely variable depending on the vendor and the exact model. Pine products typically maintain some degree of downstream patches, but they are trying to run mainline Linux and do actually keep up with kernel updates, while also giving the user root access out of the box by default, no caveats.

jhasse 3y ago
This has improved a lot with Android 12 and Google is working towards using a nearly unmodified Linux LTS kernel. See https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/09/android-to-take-an-upstream-first-development-model-for-the-linux-kernel/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/09/android-to-take-an-u... If you can enable root access depends on the boot loader though, which is a different story. If you want to be safe, get a Pixel.
- Aachen 3y ago
  Samsung is also a safe bet afaik, or Fairphone of course. For manufacturers where you need to apply for an unlock code, do it within the legal return window of the device (minimum 14 days in the EU (or EEA?) for online purchases), so then that's also a safe bet. Don't need to use the code straight away, though I'd recommend it as it typically (as an extra hurdle¹) wipes the device and you don't want to be doing that once all your data is on there ¹ user safety security blah blah yeah. If it were about my privacy, it could show the same consent prompt as it does for uploading my pictures and live location and rest of my life to a megacorp. If anything, that decision should have an unlock code you need to apply for and supply on a command line to avoid making a mistake in haste
Aachen 3y ago
Not sure I'm deep enough into Linux to understand why it matters to run an unmodified mainline kernel version. Everything I've tried to apt install inside the Linux Deploy Debian userspace either worked or ran into selinux restrictions (more and more in the latter category; RIP wavemon, for example, as a better alternative to rate-limited WiFi scanning apps as of around Android 9)
- yjftsjthsd-h 3y ago
  > Not sure I'm deep enough into Linux to understand why it matters to run an unmodified mainline kernel version. Updates. The closer you are to mainline, the easier it is to move to newer versions as they come out (and the more quickly, which especially helps with security patches).
  - Aachen 3y ago
    Ah, yeah okay but installing kernel updates not something I'd do myself anyway so that's the manufacturer's problem (and eventually my problem when I get pwned, sure). I thought you meant that it had some impact on the ability to run standard Linux software

jhasse 3y ago

This has improved a lot with Android 12 and Google is working towards using a nearly unmodified Linux LTS kernel. See https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/09/android-to-take-an-upstream-first-development-model-for-the-linux-kernel/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/09/android-to-take-an-u... If you can enable root access depends on the boot loader though, which is a different story. If you want to be safe, get a Pixel.

Aachen 3y ago
Samsung is also a safe bet afaik, or Fairphone of course. For manufacturers where you need to apply for an unlock code, do it within the legal return window of the device (minimum 14 days in the EU (or EEA?) for online purchases), so then that's also a safe bet. Don't need to use the code straight away, though I'd recommend it as it typically (as an extra hurdle¹) wipes the device and you don't want to be doing that once all your data is on there ¹ user safety security blah blah yeah. If it were about my privacy, it could show the same consent prompt as it does for uploading my pictures and live location and rest of my life to a megacorp. If anything, that decision should have an unlock code you need to apply for and supply on a command line to avoid making a mistake in haste

Aachen 3y ago

Not sure I'm deep enough into Linux to understand why it matters to run an unmodified mainline kernel version. Everything I've tried to apt install inside the Linux Deploy Debian userspace either worked or ran into selinux restrictions (more and more in the latter category; RIP wavemon, for example, as a better alternative to rate-limited WiFi scanning apps as of around Android 9)

yjftsjthsd-h 3y ago
> Not sure I'm deep enough into Linux to understand why it matters to run an unmodified mainline kernel version. Updates. The closer you are to mainline, the easier it is to move to newer versions as they come out (and the more quickly, which especially helps with security patches).
- Aachen 3y ago
  Ah, yeah okay but installing kernel updates not something I'd do myself anyway so that's the manufacturer's problem (and eventually my problem when I get pwned, sure). I thought you meant that it had some impact on the ability to run standard Linux software