Haven’t checked my low level sound drivers in a long time - I’m using pipewire and wireplumber to control it all. Is ALSA still there at the bottom/as a dependency? Arch btw.

I also remember using DC++: https://dcplusplus.sourceforge.io/webhelp/index.html

Bittorrent is probably better for anonymity/privacy, though, right?

Penguins are birds too 🥹

Yeah it had some rough edges, which made me stop using it when I was still on Windows.

To think that I’d live to see somebody with cookie knowledge! Hats off!

The general attitude is that you are required to be digitally literate and that you have the “required” equipment. Just like many businesses nowadays take it for granted that you have a card to pay with.

Yeah, I’ve had my eyes on a Pixel for a few months now. Maybe I could even keep my Samsung an compartmentalize shit: pixel for private use, Samsung for google shit

Running Linux since 2019. ;)

Getting rid of gapps on my phone will take some more tinkering, since certain apps that required to get by in my society rely on Play Services. But I’m getting there!

In my country, that’s a hard bargain, as we need certain apps that rely on gapps to identify ourselves in formal dealings with nation, county and city actors. But yeah, Graphene’s sandboxed Google Play Services would be a good start for me.

Nice! Especially the Liberux, as it seems like it’s going to have “jailed” Android for apps that need that environment. Maybe that’s similar to what Graphene does with their sandboxed Google Play Services?

If my Samsung is shot (and shut) down during this year, I’m leaning toward a Liberux, Jolla or a Fairphone with Ubuntu Touch, in that order.

I agree, I tried to shove two themes into one. Samsung’s decision to disable bootloader unlocking from OneUI 8 just kind of puts more weight on Google’s decision on disallowing unauthenticated apks. For Samsung users, that is.

Forget it. Check out fossuser 's response!

+1

Also, WiFi can also be used to track users: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poaqwozBqHY

Try resetting your access point settings. Connections -> Mobile Networks -> Access Point Names -> reset to default

If your VPN app/settings provide an option to turn off IPv6, try that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu7LvnxV6N0

I agree! But to be honest, pre written, essay like, high paced presentations like this one are sometimes hard to follow for nonnatives like myself. Even if his witty expressions really are a nice touch when I do get them!

I just wish there was an open source alternative to my BIOS on my ASUS motherboard. Coreboot and Libreboot only work with laptops, if I’m not mistaken.

Also, some proprietary blobs are unfortunately still more performant than their open source counterparts, such as WiFi NIC drivers.

I guess one just has to decide whether to prioritize performance or to take a stance and a stand✊

That’s absolutely right. Haven’t used wireless debugging in a long time.

Totally agree! Samsung, which I use, allegedly intends to - or has maybe already - blocked bootloader unlocking in their latest OS update, One UI 8. To be on the safe side, I intend to stay on version 7. Still, it does “punish” me with a warning screen at ever boot, saying YOU’RE NOT USING THE OFFICIAL SOFTWARE BLABLABLA.

On another note, I remember the good old days when there were small businesses around the corner in my city that specifically did bootloader unlocking, gaming console modding and some other stuff that today is either unfeasible, finable or just straight illegal and punishable. Sad.

I also remember having successfully setup a raspberry pi for the first time ever in order to use it as a media hub. The first thing I did was to fire up Netflix - which I since have parted ways with - only to be greeted by a message that said that they don’t allow usage of their services on open platforms. Mmmm the rage that builds up inside of me as I’m typing this. Sorry, this last one didn’t have to do with bootloader unlocking and relocking.