this post was submitted on 04 Sep 2025
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E: apparently it needs to be said that I am not suggesting you switch to Linux on your phone today; just that development needs to accelerate. Please don't be one of the 34 people that replied to tell me Linux is not ready.

Android has always been a fairly open platform, especially if you were deliberate about getting it that way, but we've seen in recent months an extremely rapid devolution of the Android ecosystem:

  1. The closing of development of an increasing number of components in AOSP.
  2. Samsung, Xiaomi and OnePlus have removed the option of bootloader unlocking on all of their devices. I suspect Google is not far behind.
  3. Google implementing Play Integrity API and encouraging developers to implement it. Notably the EU's own identity verification wallet requires this, in stark contrast to their own laws and policies, despite the protest of hundreds on Github.
  4. And finally, the mandatory implementation of developer verification across Android systems. Yes, if you're running a 3rd-party OS like GOS you won't be directly affected by this, but it will impact 99.9% of devices, and I foresee many open source developers just opting out of developing apps for Android entirely as a result. We've already seen SyncThing simply discontinue development for this reason, citing issues with Google Play Store. They've also repeatedly denied updates for NextCloud with no explanation, only restoring it after mass outcry. And we've already seen Google targeting any software intended to circumvent ads, labeling them in the system as "dangerous" and "untrusted". This will most certainly carry into their new "verification" system.

Google once competed with Apple for customers. But in a world where Google walks away from the biggest antitrust trial since 1998 with yet another slap on the wrist, competition is dead, and Google is taking notes from Apple about what they can legally get away with.

Android as we know it is dead. And/or will be dead very soon. We need an open replacement.

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[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 19 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I went with a Sonim XP3Plus flip phone

This is how I solved the modern tech problem.

You didn't solve any problems, you just opted out of a whole bunch of features.

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml 13 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Features that I really didn't give a crap about in the end. Also, my point still stands; smartphones are way too fragile and high maintenance.

So, I did solve the problem; by choosing not to bother with it. For the sake of my sanity. It was the only sane choice to make, given how stupid (and exploitative) modern smartphones have become. All this has done is set people back, wasting more time for absolutely nothing. Rather than being present, people are walking down the street with a phone in their face. It's a sad future for society. Thankfully, I was born long before smartphones were a thing. So, I know how to live without one.

At least I can say this; I am not crying about why Google or Microsoft is doing "this" or "that" to me all the time in a constant cycle. That's no solution at all. Cutting out the problem was the solution.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 15 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I did solve the problem; by choosing not to bother with it

Walking away does not solve the problem. It just makes it no longer your problem. Everyone else still has to deal with it. Not everyone has that privilege.

[–] jnod4@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

If we all stopped the world would adapt. The council let the street signs rot because everyone is on gmaps, restaurants stopped having menus just qr codes, places in England were you get kicked out if you insist to pay by cash.

All of it would be reversed if.. we reversed A pipe dream but weirder things happened

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If we all stopped

Okay well let me know when you get everyone to stop. Until then...

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

You keep on supporting it, then it will never change. Just like supporting the smartphone ecosystem still. It has way too much power over people's lives. Sorry, it's not healthy.

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Kicked out for using cash? You are serious? That is so backwards... What about old people who don't use smartphones and use the old school landline? And if a restaurant didn't have a paper menu, and wouldn't offer me one, I would just walk right out. Clearly, they don't want people's business. It should be accessible to anyone who is willing to pay. Not just smartphone users. What kind of dystopian fate is this? That's like discrimination for not owning... an algorithmic pushing slot machine. lol

Plus, people use their smartphones everywhere. Even in the bathroom. Then they bring it to the dinner table? That's so gross. Horribly unsanitary.

[–] jnod4@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

They did reverse the cash ting at the pub, every day a different customer would have a proper argument about it. Don't ask why I was there everyday tho

[–] jjlinux@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 day ago

It's a pub. I think there should be no questions 🤣

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago

For observing the chaos over that poor decision? 😂

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

People can change things if they really want to. The real issue is that most don’t want to because they are tied to a bunch of mainstream junk on their phones; thanks to those manipulative algorithms. And that is what you need to realize. Until then, you'll never be free.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Yes and no. Some of us actually need our phones to accomplish things. Work, primarily. As people mentioned elsewhere, simple things like accessing their banking accounts. I wish we didn't, but we do.

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I’d never do banking on a smartphone; not in a million years. One theft or hack in public, and all your money and data are at risk. Beyond that, people put far too much of their lives into their phones, and that’s the bigger problem. And that's the aspect you want to keep avoiding.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I’d never do banking on a smartphone; not in a million years.

They're not doing it by choice. The phone is used as mandatory authentication to access the account.

One theft or hack in public, and all your money and data are at risk

...and how do you suppose your laptop is immune from this? Or your desktop, even?

that's the aspect you want to keep avoiding.

I'm not avoiding anything. What you fail to understand is that not everyone's situation is the same as yours. For some of us, these things are outside of our control.

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)
  1. I have a separate flip phone with a number to get a verification code to access my bank account at home. It's only used for getting codes (and nothing else). So, no chance of a SIM swapping.

  2. I just said I do my online banking at home (with a local only encrypted password manager; KeePassXC). Why would I do online banking in public in general when I do my online banking at home? In public, that's taking a huge risk; regardless of the device you use. I just couldn’t dream of doing anything confidential in public; cafes, trains, anywhere. It’s a huge unnecessary risk, and I choose to avoid it entirely.

  3. And you are avoiding everything I am telling you, choosing to continue to make excuses for yourself. That's why you will forever be where you are.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

no chance of a SIM swapping

I don't think you understand how SIM swapping works but that's an irrelevant tangent, so I digress.

You are still not understanding what I'm saying: Many banks require an app to be installed on a mobile device (that is, iOS or Android) for account verification in order to access your account. Nothing at all to do with your SIM. You cannot access your account without this app being installed on a mobile device.

I just said I do my online banking at home.

Who said anything about doing banking in public?

you are avoiding everything I am telling you

No. You are.

We're done here.

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Keep on avoiding the issue then, and keep up the good fight with the smartphone ecosystem. It will never end for you. For as long as you defend the smartphone ecosystem, and that you want to avoid the fact that the smartphone controls your life. This is what I mean; tech, like the smartphone isn't serving the user anymore. Instead, the smartphone has become your master. And you, its slave.

Just look around; people walking down the street with their heads buried in their phones. It tells you all you need to know about who is the master and who is the slave.

PS: Use a different bank if they force you to only use an app. Just a thought? Just like restaurants forcing QR codes; walk away. You can make the choice any time you like. 🙂

[–] Kiloee@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Over here, banks aren’t allowed to do SMS codes anymore period. So tell me how I should solve the second factor required by law when all „dumb tech“ alternatives aren’t available anymore due to laws and regulations?

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

What a shitty law. Is this in the UK? If so, figures.

Well, if the bank apps only support Android and iPhone, you're pretty much hooped. Aren't you? A Linux phone won't help you.

So, the only option is to use the smartphone for nothing but the silly app. Or, do things the old way. Go to the bank and do your banking there.

Then just use the flip phone for the everything else.

[–] Kiloee@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

My bank does not have physical representation anywhere, since it is a digital bank. When I joined them they had a sheet of TAN numbers for us to use, but that is long since gone. And seeing how few and far between other banks are with theirs nowadays it would become extremely impractical to do physical banking only.

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml 1 points 8 hours ago

Well, that's silly. I'd never do business with a bank that doesn't have a physical location in the town or city that I live (or anywhere). That's way too fishy. Not to mention, scary and uncertain if you ask me.

[–] jjlinux@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

He did solve a problem, his problem. What's the deal with thinking everything that applies to you applies to others?

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] jjlinux@lemmy.zip -2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That's your best answer? "No problems we're solved because I said so"? 🤣🤣🤣

No wonder you sound so angry here, lol.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

No problems were solved because they weren't solved. I know that may be hard for you to wrap your head around.

[–] jjlinux@lemmy.zip 0 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml -5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Eh... Leave him. He was just looking for attention; pretty sure he has every social media app under the sun on his smartphone. And he wants to make excuses that it's for things like banking. Or work, apparently. Seems like a huge cop-out to avoid the real issue at hand; being held hostage on social media because of those addictive algorithms at play. 🙄

Simply put, he doesn't want to take the initiative to make any changes for himself. So, he'll defend that you can't go through life without a smartphone anywhere. That's how much smartphone users of today are held hostage by big tech. Again, the user is the slave, and the smartphone is their master.

Like, why don't I have this problem with banking? Where I 'MUST' use a smartphone? Sure, my bank has an app, but I am not 'forced' to use it. I can get along quite fine with just using a web browser at home.

Seems like many people who use smartphones at every waking hour, forget the whole concept of what freewill is about. 🤣

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 3 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Yeah, there ya go again. If it's not a problem for you, it must not be a problem for anyone else. Everyone faces the same obligations and challenges. Right?

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml -2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

You act like a typical social media addict (policing comments that weren't even directed to you; along with being unable to resist commenting). Guess it's clear why you can't bear to live without a smartphone, huh? Keep going. You'll only prove my (and youmaynotknow's) point more. But really, I thought you said you were done with me earlier. Isn't that what you said? Well, I said my piece as far as things one can do. Time for a block. You got enough attention from me.

Enjoy keeping up with the smartphone rat race! 😂

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml -1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

You act just like a typical social media addict. Now it's clear why you can't bear to live without your smartphone. 😂

[–] jjlinux@lemmy.zip -2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Reminds me of my drugs days. "I can control it, I use them because I want to, not because I need them. I can quit any time". 20 years later, no house, no family, no money, and half my recommended weight. And it's the same for every addiction. The only way to get rid of a problem is by first accepting there is a problem. Changing pushers never made it better, just saying.

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml 0 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

Given my time observing druggies, you are so on the mark on that one. What was I thinking bothering to tell that guy anything?

[–] jjlinux@lemmy.zip -1 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

Yeah man, I should know. But at the end of the day, we're better for it. This guy will be crying about not having privacy and stuff like that while doing everything in his power not to be able to get away from all those things.

Pretty similar to being hostage of a very toxic relationship. Oh well.

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml -1 points 15 hours ago

And it all just reinforces that people online are losers. That's all I am being reminded of; even on a decentralized platform like this. No wonder I took excessive steps to filter all big tech and mainstream social media on my home network by using things like Pihole, and also my own hosted SearXNG instance to filter search results. Because it's all designed to be just like a hamster wheel. That's all it ever can be.