Journey to Open Source

[radtech91]

Trying to work my way off of big tech. I bought an old HP Elite X2 to try different Linux distros and to do some trial runs and see if I can replace my iPad and MacBook with that. Currently using Fedora 42 KDE, its been my favorite so far.

Will be getting either a Pixel 9A and putting Graphene OS on it or waiting till they get their new phone out with their new partner in early 2027. Using a iPhone 13 mini right now that I've deleted almost everything off of. It's been great not being as distracted and really just using it what it is for.

Setting up a raspberry pi 5 with open media vault for my own NAS and media center to get off cloud storage. Using Jellyfin to stream to Apple TVs at the moment. Going to set up PiHiole to block ads on the network. Thinking of using nextcloud for back ups.

Trying to replace most applications I use with open source, or more privacy/security options.
Already using Proton mail for email.

I wanted to see what applications others are using to replace standard Apple iOS applications that are pretty close or better?

 

[97prizm]

Trying to work my way off of big tech. I bought an old HP Elite X2 to try different Linux distros and to do some trial runs and see if I can replace my iPad and MacBook with that. Currently using Fedora 42 KDE, its been my favorite so far.

Will be getting either a Pixel 9A and putting Graphene OS on it or waiting till they get their new phone out with their new partner in early 2027. Using a iPhone 13 mini right now that I've deleted almost everything off of. It's been great not being as distracted and really just using it what it is for.

Setting up a raspberry pi 5 with open media vault for my own NAS and media center to get off cloud storage. Using Jellyfin to stream to Apple TVs at the moment. Going to set up PiHiole to block ads on the network. Thinking of using nextcloud for back ups.

Trying to replace most applications I use with open source, or more privacy/security options.
Already using Proton mail for email.

I wanted to see what applications others are using to replace standard Apple iOS applications that are pretty close or better?

Check out zdnet and itsfoss both are great with forums and Interesting helpful articles.

 

[The_Eric]

Trying to work my way off of big tech. I bought an old HP Elite X2 to try different Linux distros and to do some trial runs and see if I can replace my iPad and MacBook with that. Currently using Fedora 42 KDE, its been my favorite so far.

Will be getting either a Pixel 9A and putting Graphene OS on it or waiting till they get their new phone out with their new partner in early 2027. Using a iPhone 13 mini right now that I've deleted almost everything off of. It's been great not being as distracted and really just using it what it is for.

Setting up a raspberry pi 5 with open media vault for my own NAS and media center to get off cloud storage. Using Jellyfin to stream to Apple TVs at the moment. Going to set up PiHiole to block ads on the network. Thinking of using nextcloud for back ups.

Trying to replace most applications I use with open source, or more privacy/security options.
Already using Proton mail for email.

I wanted to see what applications others are using to replace standard Apple iOS applications that are pretty close or better?

I'm of the same mindset as you and am considering Graphene as well - not having read much on it, why are you wanting to use a Pixel 9A? Is it a preference for you personally or does Graphene respond better on that model? I have a 7 that I want to install it on..

 

[radtech91]

I'm of the same mindset as you and am considering Graphene as well - not having read much on it, why are you wanting to use a Pixel 9A? Is it a preference for you personally or does Graphene respond better on that model? I have a 7 that I want to install it on..

Mainly because of price and had good reviews. I’m going to wait till Black Friday and see if google does any crazy deals. If the price is right I may pick up one of the pros. Did you see that google put in so you have to have google services now to use the pixel camera app? A lot of graphene users used it because it gave you the same camera benefits as you would if you were using the stock pixel but could do it without google, but now it won’t work after this last app update. You can downgrade to an earlier version and it will still work but just won’t get any new updates or features added.

 

[radtech91]

I just came across Passbolt. It’s open source. You can self host it and it looks like it has a nice interface. I’m thinking of using it as my new password manager.

 

[dogememe]

iCloud/Google Photos alternative: https://immich.app/

 

[BornSlippy]

Mainly because of price and had good reviews. I’m going to wait till Black Friday and see if google does any crazy deals. If the price is right I may pick up one of the pros. Did you see that google put in so you have to have google services now to use the pixel camera app? A lot of graphene users used it because it gave you the same camera benefits as you would if you were using the stock pixel but could do it without google, but now it won’t work after this last app update. You can downgrade to an earlier version and it will still work but just won’t get any new updates or features added.

I have a Pixel 7 on GrapheneOS. You can install a sandboxed version of Google Play Services on GrapheneOS that gives you most of the functionality of a regular Pixel. You can setup different profiles that can be switched on the fly. Depending on the level of paranoia, you can have a separate profile that runs Google Play Services and associated apps that need it.

I'm looking forward to what hardware GrapheneOS is coming with but it won't be till late 2026 or early 2027.

 

[radtech91]

iCloud/Google Photos alternative: https://immich.app/

Yep that's the one I'm going to use. It's a nice service

 

[radtech91]

I have a Pixel 7 on GrapheneOS. You can install a sandboxed version of Google Play Services on GrapheneOS that gives you most of the functionality of a regular Pixel. You can setup different profiles that can be switched on the fly. Depending on the level of paranoia, you can have a separate profile that runs Google Play Services and associated apps that need it.

I'm looking forward to what hardware GrapheneOS is coming with but it won't be till late 2026 or early 2027.

I like that feature being able to keep things all in their own profiles. I was thinking about doing a profile with just Google Maps and android auto for the rare times I need it. One just for finance apps and then my main profile.

I can't wait to see what company they partnered with. I would just keep my iPhone 13 mini because I love the size of it, but my battery health was getting close to the 60s, so I did the kit from iFixit and I messed up my screen. must not have been careful enough. So I found a local place and they put a new screen in for me. (Closest Apple Store is 1.5 hours away). They used a cheap display and it's not that great anymore, and auto brightness is all screwed up now as well. So I'm going to watch for a good price on one of the Pixel 9's.
My wife has a iPhone 13 and she's trying to decide if she wants to go the graphene route or just go back to a flip phone. I think she'll be going towards the graphene route. I already set her up with a Surface Go 3 with Zorin OS on it and she really likes that.

 

[radtech91]

Anyone using signal for their messaging application?

 

[BornSlippy]

Anyone using signal for their messaging application?

Yes. Told all my contacts on WhatsApp to switch to Signal if they want to get a hold of me then I promptly deleted it.

 

[BornSlippy]

I like that feature being able to keep things all in their own profiles. I was thinking about doing a profile with just Google Maps and android auto for the rare times I need it. One just for finance apps and then my main profile.

I can't wait to see what company they partnered with. I would just keep my iPhone 13 mini because I love the size of it, but my battery health was getting close to the 60s, so I did the kit from iFixit and I messed up my screen. must not have been careful enough. So I found a local place and they put a new screen in for me. (Closest Apple Store is 1.5 hours away). They used a cheap display and it's not that great anymore, and auto brightness is all screwed up now as well. So I'm going to watch for a good price on one of the Pixel 9's.
My wife has a iPhone 13 and she's trying to decide if she wants to go the graphene route or just go back to a flip phone. I think she'll be going towards the graphene route. I already set her up with a Surface Go 3 with Zorin OS on it and she really likes that.

The Xa phones from Google are pretty much just as good as the regular Pixels. I have a 7 and my wife has a 7a. I really can't tell the difference between the two.

$500ish for 9a is a pretty good deal for a new phone. I'm not a huge fan of used/refurbed phones but that is another option.

 

[radtech91]

Yes. Told all my contacts on WhatsApp to switch to Signal if they want to get a hold of me then I promptly deleted it.

I have 2 group chats on WhatsApp. The rest I just use the iMessage app that comes on the iPhone. I’m thinking of going completely to Signal and doing what you did.

 

[The_Eric]

What is the benefit of using Signal?

 

[BornSlippy]

What is the benefit of using Signal?

Open source end to end encrypted messaging app.

 

[Hall]

Anyone using signal for their messaging application?

As you're in the US, good luck having much "participation" with it. In the US, pretty much everyone uses iMessage or Android. Even WhatsApp can't get any traction here.

Yes. Told all my contacts on WhatsApp to switch to Signal if they want to get a hold of me then I promptly deleted it.

How did that work ? How many have continued texting you via Signal ?

 

[dogememe]

As you're in the US, good luck having much "participation" with it. In the US, pretty much everyone uses iMessage or Android. Even WhatsApp can't get any traction here.

How did that work ? How many have continued texting you via Signal ?

I mean it’s one way to make everyone leave you alone haha. I don’t think I know a single person with Signal?

 

[Hall]

I mean it’s one way to make everyone leave you alone haha. I don’t think I know a single person with Signal?

I mean, you literally can't stop people from texting you. I'm not even sure you can remove the core messaging app from Android. On iOS, you can remove the "UI" but messaging functionality is built into the core of iOS. Call your mobile provider and have them disable it there ?

 

[JGmazda]

Trying to work my way off of big tech. I bought an old HP Elite X2 to try different Linux distros and to do some trial runs and see if I can replace my iPad and MacBook with that. Currently using Fedora 42 KDE, its been my favorite so far.

Will be getting either a Pixel 9A and putting Graphene OS on it or waiting till they get their new phone out with their new partner in early 2027. Using a iPhone 13 mini right now that I've deleted almost everything off of. It's been great not being as distracted and really just using it what it is for.

Setting up a raspberry pi 5 with open media vault for my own NAS and media center to get off cloud storage. Using Jellyfin to stream to Apple TVs at the moment. Going to set up PiHiole to block ads on the network. Thinking of using nextcloud for back ups.

Trying to replace most applications I use with open source, or more privacy/security options.
Already using Proton mail for email.

I wanted to see what applications others are using to replace standard Apple iOS applications that are pretty close or better?

Very cool! I've grown very tired and weary of modern "tech". Most everything is about data collection and privacy issues. Not even remotely worried about Microsoft as I've been a Linux user for awhile now. Don't even get me started on all the Google nonsense. FOSS and Open Source is such a wonderful aspect of what technology can really be.

I'd love to set-up a Raspberry Pi (Piehole) for the home network. It's amazing the data that is always being transmitted. There's a great YouTube channel that really dives into Open Source stuff - "Awesome Open Source" where lots of reviews on software are provided.

I'm really hoping a decent Linux phone comes to market soon. I'd be all over that!

 

[radtech91]

Very cool! I've grown very tired and weary of modern "tech". Most everything is about data collection and privacy issues. Not even remotely worried about Microsoft as I've been a Linux user for awhile now. Don't even get me started on all the Google nonsense. FOSS and Open Source is such a wonderful aspect of what technology can really be.

I'd love to set-up a Raspberry Pi (Piehole) for the home network. It's amazing the data that is always being transmitted. There's a great YouTube channel that really dives into Open Source stuff - "Awesome Open Source" where lots of reviews on software are provided.

I'm really hoping a decent Linux phone comes to market soon. I'd be all over that!

Very cool! I'll check out that channel.

Have you seen the Liberux Nexx phone? I hope it gets through funding. It looks really cool