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Reader Comments • Jump to last comment |
1 • Linux Phone (by Sam Crawford on 2020-08-03 03:52:15 GMT from United States)
The survey asked if I run a linux phone. While I own one, running UBports, I use an iPhone as my daily driver.
I purchased an old phone from Ebay and installed UNports just to see if it worked. It's not ready for prime time by a long shot.
2 • TempleOS (by Dr. Darius Esktorp on 2020-08-03 03:53:42 GMT from United States)
Our research team uses TempleOS to research Bioluminescence.
None of us have Linux-powered smartphones, but we are working to port TempleOS to 20 year old Nokias.
3 • PinePhone (by Trevor McKnight on 2020-08-03 04:20:39 GMT from United States)
I am amazed that you didn't mention the PinePhone by Pine64 when talking about Linux phones. They've managed to ship thousands of handsets. I use mine as a daily driver with the Mobian operating system. It's much cheaper and generally-speaking more ready for mainstream use than the Librem 5. I recommend you look into it.
4 • The Pinephone. (by R. Cain on 2020-08-03 05:51:31 GMT from United States)
I am very much interested in pure, unvarnished objective facts on this subject, and *NOT* personal opinion, which is what the subject--unfortunately--turns into on most open forums.
Rather than have this turn into a free-for-all (which it could very easily become, and sometimes does in other venues), why don't we let the powers-that-be at DistroWatch--who are much more privvy to 'insider' information than almost all of us--comment on the lack of mention of the PinePhone in this issue of DistroWatch.
5 • Sailfish (by Michael Shigorin on 2020-08-03 05:56:09 GMT from Russia)
I know that Sailfish OS isn't free software (a set of critical components are still proprietary) but that's what at least works for me; an older Jolla 1 handset, a newer INOI R7 one and INOI T8 tablet. And I know some guys who make it (or made it back in Maemo days).
The primary one is still S40-based Nokia with SFOS providing me with a (Firefox-based) browser, 4G/wifi router, GPS/maps and the "out-of-band" channel (different cellular operator). It's usable enough for me and new releases tend to bring in improvements (running 3.2, don't even remember what came with Jolla 1 originally, some 1.x IIRC).
6 • Haiku & Version (by Sondar on 2020-08-03 06:48:38 GMT from United Kingdom)
Been keeping a watching brief on Haiku since it's rebirth was announced. Always impressed by speed and clarity, albeit severe limitations in early alphas (like instructions!). Intend to swap to it entirely if/when the crooks & clowns intercept or otherwise hobble present distros (MX & Mint). [Notwithstanding, developers of Mint seem to have pressed self-destruct button on v.20 with so many things not working, drivers missing, limited hardware swapabilty - long list.] What version? Hardinfo: top line.
7 • Haiku (by Man D. Tory on 2020-08-03 07:04:54 GMT from United States)
I'm glad that the new Haiku release got a thorough review here. Of all the non-Linux systems, this is the one that interests me the most. Perhaps I'll have to give it a real go when systemd-linuxd launches in 2025 and everyone will be forced to use snap packages for all applications "for your own safety." @2 I have to thank you for your very important research. I remember when the findings came out about the correlation between individuals in intelligence agencies and bioluminescence. Fascinating stuff. Keep up the good work.
8 • Caprice Linux (by Joseph on 2020-08-03 08:10:25 GMT from Iran)
Although the project seems YALD (Yet Another Linux Distribution), but they had some cool ideas. In their website, they talked a lot about their BSD influences. I don't know why DistroWatch limited explanation to one line and told people this is only a Debian stable with XFCE?
9 • This weeks opinion poll, linux powered phone (by ChrisRG on 2020-08-03 08:21:47 GMT from United Kingdom)
Currently running ubuntu touch OS on pine64 pinephone. Not as daily driver. and eOS on two other phones, both as daily drivers
10 • Opinion Poll (by penguinx886 on 2020-08-03 10:58:16 GMT from United States)
I love these Opinion Polls. Keep them coming! I have a Firefox OS phone that I bought on eBay a few years ago. It's sad that Firefox OS never had a chance. The OS itself is pretty good, but the app store was lacking most mainstream apps. Of course the app store is gone now and there are no more Firefox OS updates. The phone hardware is very outdated with a 1ghz processor, 256mb of RAM and only 4gb of storage. The 3.5 inch screen is tiny by today's standards and the camera is horrible. It's amazing Firefox OS can run so well on such low spec hardware. I think it will be difficult for any alternative OS phone to compete with the Android and Google Play. Amazon Fire tablets are a good alternative to Android tablets, but Amazon gave up on the Fire Phone long ago. Ubuntu Touch phones are history too. When I go shopping for a new smartphone, most stores only carry Android phones and possibly a few iPhones. When I ask about alternative OS smartphones at a phone shop, they buy behind the counter usually has no idea what I'm talking about.
11 • Haiku - great for old netbooks (by Uncle Slacky on 2020-08-03 11:08:50 GMT from France)
Haiku runs really well (and fast) on my Asus eeePC 701 4G, although the screen resolution is less than the "offically supported" quoted minimum. Even the wifi works!
12 • Haiku (by MikeOh Shark on 2020-08-03 11:58:08 GMT from France)
I tried the original BeOS back in the 90's and was impressed that it supported my external Microcomm 28.8 modem out of the box. The lack of a then intuitive interface and poor documentation caused me to look into Linux. Even the QNX boot floppy seemed superior.
Now I consider Luks, iptables, firejail, and Conky as essential. It seems that everyday I find more about Linux to love. It's likely that with the competition for attention and ideas and rapid improvements, Linux will always have a big lead.
13 • Linux phones (by ego on 2020-08-03 12:44:21 GMT from Netherlands)
I have two phones that meet your description.
Ubports on a Nexus 5, which I use to play around with. I like it quite a lot as a phone with limited distractions. It has almost everything I need as I'm not big on apps and has a way to run android apps (via Anbox) and desktop apps (though highly limited because of the CPU architecture). The structure is there for something great if it were more powerful (Anbox is slow) and a different architecture (so more native apps). Skeptical about security though.
The other is along the Lineage or /e/ lines, Graphene OS, effectively degoogled stock android massively hardened. If you have a Pixel 2-4 series, it is amazing. Top of the line security and privacy, all android apps available, incredible battery life because you have no google services running in the background. And ability relock the bootloader so banking apps etc work. Unbelievably good.
14 • @Jesse Haiku Review: (by dragonmouth on 2020-08-03 12:51:15 GMT from United States)
How does Haiku handle system security? Anti-virus, anti-malware, firewall, etc.
15 • Haiku (by Otis on 2020-08-03 13:42:09 GMT from United States)
I'm glad it's there, but I won't use it. I don't listen to Oingo Boingo anymore either, but I'm glad they were there.
16 • Phones (by Dave Postles on 2020-08-03 14:03:04 GMT from United Kingdom)
I bought a ZTE FirefoxOS phone when they were first available. Unfortunately, the internal parts are disintegrating. It will no longer support a SIM card or a micro-usb. Basically, the ZTE build was poor. I basically use it now to listen to the radio or play chess. My other phone is a WileyFox Cyanogen. I do not access Google for apps as I regard Alphabet as a cheat (Double Irish tax avoidance). Instead, I use F-Droid.
17 • Linux phone (by Mark E on 2020-08-03 14:04:22 GMT from United Kingdom)
Got a UBports Nexus 5 and a Nexus 9 tablet with Lineage - both great and make good use of older hardware that would otherwise be unsupported by their makers. On Lineage you can install the Google apps too, if you want. Not bothered about those on the Ubuntu phone, though, as it does everything I need.
18 • linux phones (by dogma on 2020-08-03 14:08:09 GMT from United States)
Omitting mention of PinePhone — and postmarketOS, IMO — seems quite odd.
19 • toughest security ever (by Ram on 2020-08-03 16:02:00 GMT from India)
+ "GRUB security update renders Red Hat and CentOS systems unbootable"
What is more tough security than this !!
if you can not boot, you can not write or steal data from the system, also can not damage other systems from that system ;)
Red Hat (IBM) -- the most security focused company in this world,
anyway, GNOME3 is good enough to prevent anybody to use the system unless he/she is being payed good enough ... +
20 • Huawei Android Phone (by Roy on 2020-08-03 16:08:06 GMT from United States)
Huawei protects me from Google and Google protects me from Huawei. I find that hilarious since remembering when first using Microsoft and it telling me that it uses cookies but collecting no data from me. I like how Android handles apps. After getting the Chromebook and running Beta Linux and it telling me I could use my Linux apps it made me wonder what Linux apps were.
21 • Pinephone (by Tim on 2020-08-03 16:28:06 GMT from United States)
I've been using the Pinephone since the UBPorts CE phones shipped in June. It's not my daily driver, but I do use it as a mini tablet. The furthest along system for phone use appears to be the Mobian blend of Debian. I'm mostly interested in it as a convergence device, and the Fedora offering is nice for this: you can choose librem's phosh or GNOME on login so it can be phone or tablet. I don't like GNOME on the desktop but it is nice on a touchscreen.
22 • PinePhone? (by James on 2020-08-03 17:48:39 GMT from United States)
You can't seriously just NOT mention the PinePhone in a Q&A about Linux on phones. AFAIK they've sold and shipped more handsets than Purism. Their first "Braveheart" batch came without an OS, but their recent Community Editions (CEs) featured UBPorts and postmarketOS.
On that note, how can you NOT mention pmOS? It's the premier Linux distro for previously-Android phones besides UBPorts.
Perhaps it would be a good idea to start listing mobile-focused OSes on Distrowatch? UBPorts, PostmarketOS, Mobian, PureOS, SailfishOS, Maemo Leste, Nemo Mobile, Sxmo, AVMultiPhone... There are even ports of Fedora, Arch, OpenSUSE, and Manjaro for the PinePhone!
23 • Linux Phone (by nanome on 2020-08-03 18:56:03 GMT from United Kingdom)
My 3G Doro "feature phone" runs Linux [I think], and I trust it: it has never crashed, never been attacked with malware. I suspect there will never be 4G and 5G feature phones.
I wouldn't trust an Apple iOS or Android smart phone further than I could throw it [bin]. However, the Linux powered phones out there do not inspire confidence. I would expect a phone to be at least as secure as my Linux laptop. Am I wrong?
24 • Haiku (by Roger on 2020-08-03 20:10:36 GMT from Belgium)
I used BeOS in 1998 for the first time and was really impressed with the quality of the OS. There was no problem with my hardware and I was able to go on the internet thou a dial-up modem. It was visually a lot better than Win98 and ran quicker on the same hardware and important no blue screens. Computer used was a Celeron 300 with 128MB SDRAM and a 8MB PCI video card.
25 • KaiOS (by K.U. on 2020-08-03 20:31:10 GMT from Finland)
KaiOS is an interesting choice for low end phones ("smart feature phones"). KaiOS has Firefox OS inheritance and there are some cheap KaiOS based phones in the market. https://www.kaiostech.com
26 • KaiOS (by K.U. on 2020-08-03 21:51:35 GMT from Finland)
I should have mentioned that KaiOS has closed source for the most part. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KaiOS
27 • @25; @26--KaiOS (by R. Cain on 2020-08-04 00:01:26 GMT from United States)
Thanks very much for the information on KaiOS. I just purchased a smart 'feature-phone' after a VERY long and painful search. Got a good one, but I wish I had had this information you just provided; it would have saved me an immense amount of time. KaiOS is *very* impressive group, with a lot of partnerships. I didn't know, for example, that the Nokia 8110/4G 'Banana Phone' is a KaiOS device. Am waiting for the JioPhone 2 smart featurephone with qwerty keypad to become available in the US; its USD price is 39.87 (2999 Rupees).
28 • @13, Phone privacy (by Angel on 2020-08-04 07:07:47 GMT from Philippines)
"Top of the line security and privacy, all android apps available." Privacy is relative. If hiding from Google makes you feel private, that's great! But, as many on this side of the world are finding out, the only way to be acceptably private on a cellphone is to remove the sim card and connect on WiFi through a VPN.
29 • Mobile phones... (by OstroL on 2020-08-04 10:39:37 GMT from Poland)
Nexus 5 for UBPorts, to check on the development of Linux distro. Too small to use. Nexus 6 with the lovely Colt OS (Android 10) with security updates every month for daily use. Colt OS is created and maintained by highly energised youngsters from India. Colt OS for N6 is done by Nitin Chobhe from Pune. The N6 was manufactured in 2014, and still doing well with the original battery -- battery health at 92.3%! With its stereo speakers, N6 is still the best. :)
30 • KaiOS and GerdaOS (by K.U. on 2020-08-04 13:07:20 GMT from Finland)
Here is bit more information on the open source status of KaiOS including link to GitHub page:
https://support.kaiostech.com/en/support/solutions/articles/35000078432-can-i-access-your-source-code-
May be, there is more open source than I thought after reading the Wikipedia article I referred above @26.
Then, there exist GerdaOS, which claims to "liberate the heart of Kai" for KaiOS phones. Gerda is currently in alpha development stage.
https://gerda.tech
31 • screenfetch / neofetch for finding out distro name info (by Jimbo on 2020-08-05 08:18:02 GMT from New Zealand)
Hi Jesse, I like the colourful / ASCII art approach provided by screenfetch and neofetch. Works well in most popular distro's (I use in both debian and Arch at home)
32 • regret buying a phone (by fonz on 2020-08-05 13:30:52 GMT from Indonesia)
after doing a quick search of ubports, there were actually quite a bunch of stuff in the works like postmarket os (pmos) and stuff. after a week of miui 12 i got bored and straight up rooted and rommed it to cm (ill always remember it as cm instead of los). found out it was only a shadow of its former glory thanks to gulag. after about another week i got bored of rekting my phone trying to port pmos and hoping someone else can make magic.
its now collecting dust while i search for a newish used phone supported by pmos and co. hopefllyi can find something within reach...
33 • Pinephone (by Bo Meson on 2020-08-05 13:56:17 GMT from United Kingdom)
Another happy user of Mobian on the Pinephone, here, daily driver.
34 • Android is not exactly Linux (by CS on 2020-08-05 20:54:07 GMT from United States)
Saying an Android phone is a Linux phone is quite a stretch, the Android kernel is Linux plus tens of thousands of lines of mobility features like the energy aware scheduler.
You can't just slap Linux on a phone and expect it to be anything other than a trainwreck relative to current state of the art.
35 • Fully functional Linux phone (by woodydewar on 2020-08-05 21:42:13 GMT from United States)
I need a privacy phone that can run Craigslist, Snapchat, Tinder and other social networking apps to hook me up.
36 • Defining Linux (by M.Z. on 2020-08-05 22:33:33 GMT from United States)
@34 "Saying an Android phone is a Linux phone is quite a stretch..."
I'd argue that very much depends on how you define Linux, which given it's open nature can easily get very messy. The core component of anything that could be called Linux is very much the Linux kernel, which is entirely core to how Android works even if it has been forked & modified in various way. It's also of note that there have been efforts underway at Google for some time to make the Android kernel more like the mainline version of the Linux kernel. At any rate if you take away all the Linux bits out of a Droid phone you basically get a useless paperweight, so It's far harder to claim that Android is definately not Linux than it is to admit that Android is a type of Linux. Thus it's more reasonable to say Droid phones are Linux than to say they are not.
All that being said desktop versions of Linux based on the GNU project are a very different thing, so Android is not GNU/Linux even if it is a different sort of Linux. Given the huge gap in privacy expectations between most GNU/Linux distros & Android/Linux I can certainly see the appeal of wanting a phone based of more traditional forms of Linux over a Droid phone.
37 • Linux (or such) phones (by Vakkotaur on 2020-08-06 09:53:34 GMT from United States)
I'd LOVE to have a *useful* *stable release* Linux (or at least non-Android, no-Google.... sheesh sounds like non-A non-B hepatitis...) phone.
What I fear is not being able to run a few apps (my bank is likely NOT properly Linux-friendly, damnit). De-Googling and non-Apple-ing both seem quite desirable. I feel Google seeks to spy on my and Apple seeks to lock me in. Linux just.. *is*.
But I've been bit a time or two going for 'bleeding/cutting' edge (I have a not-a-laptop meant to be a smartphone-adjunct that ALMOST works... and I'm one of the lucky ones who got hardware!).
The future? A right proper LINUX phone.. running a DESKTOP distribution that can do/emulate phone form-factor AND when 'dropped in' to a laptop/desktop dock acts JUST LIKE a regular full install because that is what it is. That day is NOT today... but I can see it happening.. alas "Real Soon Now." (RSN: Obvious as all get-out, but will take far too long to happen for real. ESR saw this AGES before I did).
38 • "Safe" OS for ... (by Otis on 2020-08-06 16:26:20 GMT from United States)
... banking? Are you kidding? I'll get disrespected out of here, but I have to say it: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING DEALING WITH YOUR BANK ON YOUR PHONE OR COMPUTER?
Or any other security sensitive dealings. I can't believe my eyes when I see, "my bank is likely NOT properly Linux-friendly.." etc. What?! Why are you banking on your phone or computer?
Put on a mask and go to your bank, or have someone you trust do it for you.
39 • alt phones, 2 try or ! 2 try... (by yrotadnam on 2020-08-06 22:50:55 GMT from New Zealand)
I've been eager to try an alternative to Android. I run into several roadblocks: i) supported models. Never the one I have, always some other model number, usually not available. Information is scarce to sketchy. ii) would it even work with one of our locked networks - Vodaphone, 2 degrees, Chorus? Especially if you have a phone that is network locked. Even for completely unlocked phones, would it work? Information on this is rare to non-existant. iii) the install guides I've seen are a cowboy programmers No.8 wire job, it shows. Not reassuring. So why would I risk even $100 on a used phone if it bricks up and goes in the landfill after that? I need more assurance of all this working. Importing a Pinephone or something to NZ is out, Customs slap you 30% including the shipping cost. And then you still face the hurdle of "will it even work here?"
40 • @38, OS for banking. (by Angel on 2020-08-07 01:52:28 GMT from Philippines)
Sorry! Had to laugh at that one. In normal times I could go mask-less to the bank/investment house where I keep my funds, but it would take over 30 hours and cost maybe $2000 or so. Now, masked or not, assuming I could get passage, which is not yet in the cards, I would probably spend over a month in assorted quarantines. Get the picture? Without online banking, I would be SOL.
I've been doing online banking and other transactions online for 15 years or more. Today I have 3 banking apps on my Android phone, plus other apps where transactions are made. While I prefer to use my home PC, I have no problem using those apps. I bank online to transfer funds, pay credit cards, pay my ISP, load my cellphones, etc.
I have traveled extensively. I had a phony charge put on a credit card about 18 years ago in Colombia. That was when they were still using those slide thingies that copied the card. A hotel employee did it. It was quickly resolved. I have more concern about being pick-pocketed or mugged on the way from the bank, or going though Customs with wads of cash, or dishonest bank employees here and in other countries, or about any of the banks where I do business being hacked because of some desk jockey's carelessness, than I have about online banking.
41 • @38 offline/online? (by Monroe on 2020-08-07 04:42:02 GMT from United States)
When you visit your bank offline, in person and ask for any transaction, where does the teller go; to a ledger? No, she/he goes online at your bank to complete your transaction. You trust her server more than your online access? Might as well do it in the comfort of your home. Been doing it that way for decades. I can count on one hand how many times I visited a bank in person. Never been hack, or robbed.
42 • Banking (by Otis on 2020-08-07 13:23:23 GMT from United States)
@41 Don't bank online. I think you understand why.
43 • Online banking, etc.. (by Friar Tux on 2020-08-07 13:53:56 GMT from Canada)
@38, Otis, you're way off on this one. @40 and @41 are spot on here. Online banking is no more 'dangerous' than in-person banking. I do ALL my banking and bill paying online. About the only thing I do not do online is buy stuff. While I like the idea, I also like actually going to the store and physically checking out the article I want to buy. This usually leads to finding something better on the next shelf. As for mobile phones, linux-based or otherwise, I'm with @39 (yrotadnam) on this one. I do not own a cell/mobile phone as I find they are WAY over-priced for what you get. I would, maybe, pay $75.00, tops, but then it better do my dishes, my laundry, and wash my car, too.
44 • online banking (by dmacleo on 2020-08-07 17:29:45 GMT from United States)
@38 one way to bank (credit union in my case) is 28 miles and 25-30 minutes. thats just the drive one way. its also one of the closer institutions to me, closest is 20 miles one way.
45 • Online banking .. (by Otis on 2020-08-07 21:21:44 GMT from United States)
It's just very strange seeing for so many years linux enthusiasts talking about the nuances and tweaks to more security in the OS. And THEN to see that some are actually arguing FOR banking online and on phones!
Hello.
Why are we worrying about systemd and now homed and firewalls and on and on if we're going to give away our private info to the world by (trumpets) ONLINE AND PHONE BANKING.
Jeesh!
46 • Banking (by Cheker on 2020-08-07 21:29:55 GMT from Portugal)
I half agree with Otis here. Banking online, yes, but only on a desktop linux. Phones, absolutely not.
47 • Bank security (by Angel on 2020-08-07 23:57:59 GMT from Philippines)
Privacy, security and anonymity are not the same. You can be public and secure, private and not secure; or you can be anonymous, in which last case you'll be private and secure, but you can't do anything pertaining to your identity. Some people are so concerned with online privacy, that they overlook worse offline security holes such as ATMs, point of purchase and bank employees.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/nyregion/bank-tellers-with-access-to-accounts-pose-a-rising-security-risk.html
As far as privacy, the Equifax hack affected more than half of Americans whether or not they banked online. Don't be lulled into believing you are private because you don't bank online. Your information will still be out there in hackable databases. (google Exactis)
I ran a business which provided computer services to some local businesses, and I know what appalling security practices are kept. Yet many people who are afraid on online banking use credit and debit cards in local business outlets. Ironic that one piece of advice on keeping debit cards secure is to get an online account so you can keep daily track of your activity and balances. I will not use a debit card. I keep a prepaid no fee, zero balance card for rare use. I also will use credit cards sometimes. Less risk.
Most malware aimed at end users banking online is not that sophisticated, and can be kept away with a modicum of common sense. Linux users, who tend to verge on the paranoid, should have little problem. I have no fear of Android phones. I also don't install or side-load any shiny app I see, and I don't let kids download games, or anyone except my wife touch my phone. As it is: If a withdrawal is made on any local account, I get a text. From US accounts, I get a daily email with transactions and balances, and a call if any large amounts are asked for. Sure, I can be hacked. I can also be hit by lightning, run over by a car, or maybe there could be some viral pandemic which will not let me go anywhere. Sh*t happens.
48 • I use a BSD-based smartphone OS + smartphone privacy (by Nono on 2020-08-08 16:51:30 GMT from France)
Once upon the time i used to use an Android smartphone. But it progressively failed after 18 month : it overheated and éventually crashed each time i plugged it for power recharge. The same problem affecting my acquaintances with different brands, i decided to give up Android. Not its Linux-derived kernel's fault. It's just that Android smartphone manufacturers have tended to compete at the expense of hardware quality (at least at the time).
So 7 years ago, i swith to an iPhone, that still runs. AFAIK, iOS like macOS uses a FreeBSD-derived OS. Like Google did with Android, Apple modified it and it certainly is not open source. But Apple just sells something that works. And it's a bit more secure and privacy-respectful than Android.
Yet i do not expect much more form iOS than from Android when it comes to smartphone privacy : - The first weakness is the ability to download third-party apps. The smartphone may be delivered with the best privacy protection, it doesn't matter much because of the apps the user downloads from app stores. And even worse, lots of apps are just web-service renderers, with just add another-level of privacy weakness. - When you sign Google or Facebook usage conditions, you explicitly accept that all your data be salable to third parties cxalled partrners or clients (privacy parameters are only relative to other free users), Cambridge Analytica being a famous caricatural example - but most companies buy their data (how do you thing those companies can thrive with free users, but if the free users are the product ?). - Since George W. Bush's PATRIOT act and all horrors of this kind that followed, states legally spy everyone. NSA monitors all network traffic crossing USA borders, and has the right to monitor every communication traffic from and to any device connected to a terrorist's by up to 7 indirect coimmunications links. That means they can monitor almost all the planet, since - mind you - almost all of us are connected to terrorist by just 2 indirect communication links (the one between the terrorist and Google/Microsoft/Apple/Facebook/Amazon/eBay..., and the one between these companies and your device, and these companies traffic ignores borders. Others are not better and can do worse. Russia and China demand that all Internet/Web service deploy a tap for their secret services, this concerns servcies like Yandex, RT, Telegram, Kaspersky, AliBaba/AliExpress, TikTok, GearBest and so on).
For real privacy, go off-grid and move and clandestinely to the North Sentinel Island (but immigrant life expentancy there is usually quite short - look up for 'North Sentinel Island' in Wikipedia).
49 • OhNo, NoNo! (by Somewhat Reticent on 2020-08-09 01:04:44 GMT from United States)
@48 Invading any prohibited district is a suicidally-foolish criminal & hostile act. The Sentineli learned the hard way about foreign diseases and defend themselves. … Just as Linux was not Minix, iOS is not BSD. … As long as all our hardware is secret, we're all insecure. But then, wasn't the internet designed for sharing data … including with the government?
50 • Android security flaw (by Angel on 2020-08-09 10:45:17 GMT from Philippines)
In case there are people still here, and in the interest of fair play after my posts, here's a new tidbit from Ars about flaws on Snapdragon.
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/08/snapdragon-chip-flaws-put-1-billion-android-phones-at-risk-of-data-theft/
Seems I've dodged that bullet, since my phone has a Media Tek-Mali combo. I still only have to share my data with the PLA. Whew! :-)
Number of Comments: 50
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• Issue 1096 (2024-11-11): Bazzite 40, Playtron OS Alpha 1, Tucana Linux 3.1, detecting Screen sessions, Redox imports COSMIC software centre, FreeBSD booting on the PinePhone Pro, LXQt supports Wayland window managers |
• Issue 1095 (2024-11-04): Fedora 41 Kinoite, transferring applications between computers, openSUSE Tumbleweed receives multiple upgrades, Ubuntu testing compiler optimizations, Mint partners with Framework |
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• Issue 1092 (2024-10-14): FunOS 24.04.1, a home directory inside a file, work starts of openSUSE Leap 16.0, improvements in Haiku, KDE neon upgrades its base |
• Issue 1091 (2024-10-07): Redox OS 0.9.0, Unified package management vs universal package formats, Redox begins RISC-V port, Mint polishes interface, Qubes certifies new laptop |
• Issue 1090 (2024-09-30): Rhino Linux 2024.2, commercial distros with alternative desktops, Valve seeks to improve Wayland performance, HardenedBSD parterns with Protectli, Tails merges with Tor Project, Quantum Leap partners with the FreeBSD Foundation |
• Issue 1089 (2024-09-23): Expirion 6.0, openKylin 2.0, managing configuration files, the future of Linux development, fixing bugs in Haiku, Slackware packages dracut |
• Issue 1088 (2024-09-16): PorteuX 1.6, migrating from Windows 10 to which Linux distro, making NetBSD immutable, AlmaLinux offers hardware certification, Mint updates old APT tools |
• Issue 1087 (2024-09-09): COSMIC desktop, running cron jobs at variable times, UBports highlights new apps, HardenedBSD offers work around for FreeBSD change, Debian considers how to cull old packages, systemd ported to musl |
• Issue 1086 (2024-09-02): Vanilla OS 2, command line tips for simple tasks, FreeBSD receives investment from STF, openSUSE Tumbleweed update can break network connections, Debian refreshes media |
• Issue 1085 (2024-08-26): Nobara 40, OpenMandriva 24.07 "ROME", distros which include source code, FreeBSD publishes quarterly report, Microsoft updates breaks Linux in dual-boot environments |
• Issue 1084 (2024-08-19): Liya 2.0, dual boot with encryption, Haiku introduces performance improvements, Gentoo dropping IA-64, Redcore merges major upgrade |
• Issue 1083 (2024-08-12): TrueNAS 24.04.2 "SCALE", Linux distros for smartphones, Redox OS introduces web server, PipeWire exposes battery drain on Linux, Canonical updates kernel version policy |
• Issue 1082 (2024-08-05): Linux Mint 22, taking snapshots of UFS on FreeBSD, openSUSE updates Tumbleweed and Aeon, Debian creates Tiny QA Tasks, Manjaro testing immutable images |
• Issue 1081 (2024-07-29): SysLinuxOS 12.4, OpenBSD gain hardware acceleration, Slackware changes kernel naming, Mint publishes upgrade instructions |
• Issue 1080 (2024-07-22): Running GNU/Linux on Android with Andronix, protecting network services, Solus dropping AppArmor and Snap, openSUSE Aeon Desktop gaining full disk encryption, SUSE asks openSUSE to change its branding |
• Issue 1079 (2024-07-15): Ubuntu Core 24, hiding files on Linux, Fedora dropping X11 packages on Workstation, Red Hat phasing out GRUB, new OpenSSH vulnerability, FreeBSD speeds up release cycle, UBports testing new first-run wizard |
• Issue 1078 (2024-07-08): Changing init software, server machines running desktop environments, OpenSSH vulnerability patched, Peppermint launches new edition, HardenedBSD updates ports |
• Issue 1077 (2024-07-01): The Unity and Lomiri interfaces, different distros for different tasks, Ubuntu plans to run Wayland on NVIDIA cards, openSUSE updates Leap Micro, Debian releases refreshed media, UBports gaining contact synchronisation, FreeDOS celebrates its 30th anniversary |
• Issue 1076 (2024-06-24): openSUSE 15.6, what makes Linux unique, SUSE Liberty Linux to support CentOS Linux 7, SLE receives 19 years of support, openSUSE testing Leap Micro edition |
• Issue 1075 (2024-06-17): Redox OS, X11 and Wayland on the BSDs, AlmaLinux releases Pi build, Canonical announces RISC-V laptop with Ubuntu, key changes in systemd |
• Issue 1074 (2024-06-10): Endless OS 6.0.0, distros with init diversity, Mint to filter unverified Flatpaks, Debian adds systemd-boot options, Redox adopts COSMIC desktop, OpenSSH gains new security features |
• Issue 1073 (2024-06-03): LXQt 2.0.0, an overview of Linux desktop environments, Canonical partners with Milk-V, openSUSE introduces new features in Aeon Desktop, Fedora mirrors see rise in traffic, Wayland adds OpenBSD support |
• Issue 1072 (2024-05-27): Manjaro 24.0, comparing init software, OpenBSD ports Plasma 6, Arch community debates mirror requirements, ThinOS to upgrade its FreeBSD core |
• Issue 1071 (2024-05-20): Archcraft 2024.04.06, common command line mistakes, ReactOS imports WINE improvements, Haiku makes adjusting themes easier, NetBSD takes a stand against code generated by chatbots |
• Issue 1070 (2024-05-13): Damn Small Linux 2024, hiding kernel messages during boot, Red Hat offers AI edition, new web browser for UBports, Fedora Asahi Remix 40 released, Qubes extends support for version 4.1 |
• Issue 1069 (2024-05-06): Ubuntu 24.04, installing packages in alternative locations, systemd creates sudo alternative, Mint encourages XApps collaboration, FreeBSD publishes quarterly update |
• Issue 1068 (2024-04-29): Fedora 40, transforming one distro into another, Debian elects new Project Leader, Red Hat extends support cycle, Emmabuntus adds accessibility features, Canonical's new security features |
• Issue 1067 (2024-04-22): LocalSend for transferring files, detecting supported CPU architecure levels, new visual design for APT, Fedora and openSUSE working on reproducible builds, LXQt released, AlmaLinux re-adds hardware support |
• Issue 1066 (2024-04-15): Fun projects to do with the Raspberry Pi and PinePhone, installing new software on fixed-release distributions, improving GNOME Terminal performance, Mint testing new repository mirrors, Gentoo becomes a Software In the Public Interest project |
• Issue 1065 (2024-04-08): Dr.Parted Live 24.03, answering questions about the xz exploit, Linux Mint to ship HWE kernel, AlmaLinux patches flaw ahead of upstream Red Hat, Calculate changes release model |
• Issue 1064 (2024-04-01): NixOS 23.11, the status of Hurd, liblzma compromised upstream, FreeBSD Foundation focuses on improving wireless networking, Ubuntu Pro offers 12 years of support |
• Issue 1063 (2024-03-25): Redcore Linux 2401, how slowly can a rolling release update, Debian starts new Project Leader election, Red Hat creating new NVIDIA driver, Snap store hit with more malware |
• Issue 1062 (2024-03-18): KDE neon 20240304, changing file permissions, Canonical turns 20, Pop!_OS creates new software centre, openSUSE packages Plasma 6 |
• Issue 1061 (2024-03-11): Using a PinePhone as a workstation, restarting background services on a schedule, NixBSD ports Nix to FreeBSD, Fedora packaging COSMIC, postmarketOS to adopt systemd, Linux Mint replacing HexChat |
• Issue 1060 (2024-03-04): AV Linux MX-23.1, bootstrapping a network connection, key OpenBSD features, Qubes certifies new hardware, LXQt and Plasma migrate to Qt 6 |
• Issue 1059 (2024-02-26): Warp Terminal, navigating manual pages, malware found in the Snap store, Red Hat considering CPU requirement update, UBports organizes ongoing work |
• Issue 1058 (2024-02-19): Drauger OS 7.6, how much disk space to allocate, System76 prepares to launch COSMIC desktop, UBports changes its version scheme, TrueNAS to offer faster deduplication |
• Issue 1057 (2024-02-12): Adelie Linux 1.0 Beta, rolling release vs fixed for a smoother experience, Debian working on 2038 bug, elementary OS to split applications from base system updates, Fedora announces Atomic Desktops |
• Issue 1056 (2024-02-05): wattOS R13, the various write speeds of ISO writing tools, DSL returns, Mint faces Wayland challenges, HardenedBSD blocks foreign USB devices, Gentoo publishes new repository, Linux distros patch glibc flaw |
• Issue 1055 (2024-01-29): CNIX OS 231204, distributions patching packages the most, Gentoo team presents ongoing work, UBports introduces connectivity and battery improvements, interview with Haiku developer |
• Issue 1054 (2024-01-22): Solus 4.5, comparing dd and cp when writing ISO files, openSUSE plans new major Leap version, XeroLinux shutting down, HardenedBSD changes its build schedule |
• Issue 1053 (2024-01-15): Linux AI voice assistants, some distributions running hotter than others, UBports talks about coming changes, Qubes certifies StarBook laptops, Asahi Linux improves energy savings |
• Issue 1052 (2024-01-08): OpenMandriva Lx 5.0, keeping shell commands running when theterminal closes, Mint upgrades Edge kernel, Vanilla OS plans big changes, Canonical working to make Snap more cross-platform |
• Issue 1051 (2024-01-01): Favourite distros of 2023, reloading shell settings, Asahi Linux releases Fedora remix, Gentoo offers binary packages, openSUSE provides full disk encryption |
• Issue 1050 (2023-12-18): rlxos 2023.11, renaming files and opening terminal windows in specific directories, TrueNAS publishes ZFS fixes, Debian publishes delayed install media, Haiku polishes desktop experience |
• Issue 1049 (2023-12-11): Lernstick 12, alternatives to WINE, openSUSE updates its branding, Mint unveils new features, Lubuntu team plans for 24.04 |
• Issue 1048 (2023-12-04): openSUSE MicroOS, the transition from X11 to Wayland, Red Hat phasing out X11 packages, UBports making mobile development easier |
• Issue 1047 (2023-11-27): GhostBSD 23.10.1, Why Linux uses swap when memory is free, Ubuntu Budgie may benefit from Wayland work in Xfce, early issues with FreeBSD 14.0 |
• Issue 1046 (2023-11-20): Slackel 7.7 "Openbox", restricting CPU usage, Haiku improves font handling and software centre performance, Canonical launches MicroCloud |
• Issue 1045 (2023-11-13): Fedora 39, how to trust software packages, ReactOS booting with UEFI, elementary OS plans to default to Wayland, Mir gaining ability to split work across video cards |
• Issue 1044 (2023-11-06): Porteus 5.01, disabling IPv6, applications unique to a Linux distro, Linux merges bcachefs, OpenELA makes source packages available |
• Issue 1043 (2023-10-30): Murena Two with privacy switches, where old files go when packages are updated, UBports on Volla phones, Mint testing Cinnamon on Wayland, Peppermint releases ARM build |
• Issue 1042 (2023-10-23): Ubuntu Cinnamon compared with Linux Mint, extending battery life on Linux, Debian resumes /usr merge, Canonical publishes fixed install media |
• Full list of all issues |
Star Labs |
Star Labs - Laptops built for Linux.
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Random Distribution |
Ekaaty Linux
Ekaaty Linux was a Brazilian community distribution based on Fedora. Its single-CD releases are geared towards desktop use in business and home environments, with KDE desktop, Smart package manager, BrOffice.org office suite, Kontact personal information management suite, and antivirus/antispam tools forming the backbone of the distribution. Ekaaty Linux supports English and Portuguese languages only.
Status: Discontinued
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TUXEDO |
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Star Labs |
Star Labs - Laptops built for Linux.
View our range including the highly anticipated StarFighter. Available with coreboot open-source firmware and a choice of Ubuntu, elementary, Manjaro and more. Visit Star Labs for information, to buy and get support.
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