Using a de-googled Android phone running Graphene IS A FUCKING PAIN IN THE ASS IN EVERY RESPECT FFS I HATE IT. But I love it too BUT I HATE IT SO MUCH
Discussion
O… shit. I wanted to change to that…
Bro it's so bad. Can't do ANYTHING easily on my phone.
The issue is finding a balance between security, privacy, and usability.
True, which means it'll never be truly secure, which begs the question why bother. I think I'm dunsky
One problem is terms like "truly secure." That's a meaningless term until you specifically define your threat model and what security actually means to you. Graphene can be as private as you want it to be (up to the technical limits of the OS and how you plan to use it).
You can use the same Google apps in a sandboxed manner if you want to. The main difference between stock Android is that apps aren't just given total control over the entire OS and everything you do in it (like Google Play Services).
You can still install Play Services if you want, it's just installed like any other app without special control of your device.
Security/privacy on mobile is easier than it's ever been in my experience with this stuff (since the beginning of Android). But there is a limit to everything. You have to put the time into learning tech or you'll indeed just have to throw your hands up and submit. It's your choice ultimately. Do whatever you want.
I agree with everything you said but why are there still no simple straightforward ways to quickly learn and implement this kinda shit without requiring a non techy person to peck and hunt around the internet by himself totally confused? The champions of this kinda thing and the companies involved aren't concerned AT ALL about average people not being able to implement their shit properly? It's because there not enough money in that, I'm sure. So many people championing privacy and decentralization but where the rubber meets the road it sucks. And normal non techy people like me, who aren't even doing anything shady, aren't gonna put up with it.
I do agree that good documentation and ease of use should always be a goal, but you're coming into this potentially not understanding where we are vs where we were (I'm guessing, correct me if I'm wrong). It's literally easier than ever, but that doesn't mean easy for everyone. I totally agree with that.
What is it that you're specifically struggling to get working? I'm curious as to the specifics. All I've seen so far seems to relate to apps more than the OS.
I'm not able use anything that requires a connection to the Google Play store like chatgpt, my fractal making app, etc. Also I'm not able to use speech to text. Also the keyboards suck. Lots of things are just an ass ache to do, or not doable. My friend said that Graphene isn't nearly as user friendly as other alternatives so maybe I couldntry switching to another OS. Buy mostly I'm tired bro.
Following ……
And I'm not sure there is a lot of money behind tech like this. Most of the money is made from the abuses that software like Graphene is attempting to stop. I think it's a self-fulfilling hell that is hard to escape. It takes forever for meaningful change to happen when relatively little funding goes into change. It doesn't help that most people are unwilling to pay for software. It's a tough cycle because you need good, easy software to attract buyers, but you need buyers to fund good, easy software. I won't pretend to have a quick and easy answer. I've just decided that I'd rather deal with the annoyances vs the abuses (as of now). It could be that a mixed approach is something you'd benefit from. I don't think it has to be all or nothing. I think that's where a lot of people get hung up.
For the record, UX for privacy/security tools is one of my top tech interests. I'm genuinely interested in learning how non-techy people can have better access to these tools (including Nostr and Bitcoin). I don't mean to negate your concerns when I say that it's easier than ever. My point there is that progress IS being made, but it can be hard to see that if you haven't spent almost 20 years screwing with this stuff like I have. But it does need to get better. 100%.
Privacy is by default a threat . So it will never be easy. Look at us : impossible to use BTC like fiat . Hence all my arguments with the Monero community.
That ain’t good :(
There are some in our group that uses it …
I'm sure if you really known how to use it, it's fine, but I'm not that techy and I have no desire to become a freakin' Graphene "expert"
Agree with you : just don’t have much time more to spend. The price for privacy is at ATH…
Apparently /e/OS is a much friendlier operating system so I'm gonna try that!
? What’s that ?
There's not ONE effing decently functional keyboard available FFS. This kinda shit is why decentralized hobby-level new freedom tech (which is ALL of it!) being easy to use IS SO MANY YEARS AWAY FFS
