Sorry, “google blobs”? A lot of work went into MicroG, and I think it’s a shame that you’d minimize so much good work to reimplement the lynchpin of Google’s control on your devices.

At this point I’ll presume you’re just misinformed, as no proprietary google code operates within microG unless you decide to run with device attestation, and there it’s running as a sandboxed service. At any other time, you are able to run open source code which spoofs your device details to Google, and spoofs google to all these other closed source apps in a reliable and readable, much smaller codebase.

Honestly, the irony of running blobs, when one is completely closed source vs the other which is fully open. Hahaha.

All your points are true, yet still depend on Google in sandboxed form. That negates everything else for me, who wants a reasonably secure device that works out of the box and also respects my privacy.

If a nation-state wants into my phone, it’s delusional to believe even graphene can hold them off, you need real opsec for that, and unfortunately all I’ve seen thus far from graphene guys is cosplaying that the NSA wants your porn selfies.

Graphene and micro g? Cool. Sandboxed Google? Nope.

Agreed, it shouldn’t be their problem. But, I am using applications just fine that are sensitive to root, even device attestation, but I don’t recommend attestation just out of principle.

Even pokemon go seem to run ok with just micro g and aurora.

There’s also CalyxOS, low drama and very reliable. Https://www.calyxos.org

Same same, cdot is nice and clear

I’ll mention that a pixel with CalyxOS works great as well, no google code code other than AOSP which helps battery life a lot.

Some things like voice controlled companion or android auto are being implemented, but I never really gave a fuck about that stuff, being on bicycle or motorcycle only.

I don’t care how nice the sports car is, if it’s not going where I want it to, I’m not getting in.

I saw the same when I lived in OC. It’s pretty lively up here in Seattle too.

Same, I’ve been team calyx for several years now, the dev rocks and I’m very happy to donate to them for keeping my pixel 3 running.

I so love the diversity of life here on this planet, it is truly magnificent.

I got to pet one once, he closed his beak on my fingers but because of how long the break is, he couldn’t apply real pressure. It was pretty interesting to feel a bird play with your fingers who couldn’t actually hurt you.

This is compared to my little conures who instinctively nip out of fright if my partner pulls back the shower curtain in the other room haha. Ah… My poor fingers.

I think you’re right, and maybe add a modification. As a fellow engineer, I’ll suggest there’s a third option that’s more realistic when it comes to knowledgeable and lay people having a discussion:

• as mentioned in the meme, scientists can and do learn stuff that improves overall understanding.
• the quest for improved understanding is usually sparked by a strange or unique observation, sometimes by scientists, sometimes by the much larger population of regular folks
• Provided there is good intent and respect from both parties, I believe it’s critically important that people who have observed something unique be able to discuss it somehow with people who have particular skill related to that phenomena

What seems to be missing out of a lot of these misinformation tikTube fights is precisely that fundamental lack of respect. I’ve observed it’s very easy to destabilize a calm discussion with small amounts of inconsiderate speech by people within or outside the discussion. Sometimes it seems purposeful, but the result is a much slowed ability to communicate. That’s bad for us all.

I love both of mine, but damn do they not quit hahaha

Agreed, but is there a directory to find alternatives that are both reputable and reasonable in their pricing?

A bit dark humor-wise lol… Heady, the defanged headcrab 😬

I was a long-time Xubuntu fan, tried Ubuntu directly from canonical for my new laptop.

It’s been a bit rocky, all things considered. I think I’m trying something else next time, maybe mint or whatever. Maybe Xubuntu, but only if this snap shit has been cut out.

They sort of tried at my last job… There’s portable, non admin installs of Firefox available. The tricky part was ssl inspection certificates, but even that is easier than it used to be.

Same here, even my newly issued work PC always gets the Firefox treatment. Annoyingly, some sites that I need for work (almost, but not quite, zero) just do not work with Firefox, but do with chrome.

Meh, no.

That was hilarious lol