Look at Slate Auto if you are in the usa. I heard about this on the Privacy Guides forum. There is a possibility of them moving into Canada, which has got me interested.

You are 100% correct. It’s just where apps can be installed from. Nothing to do with installing GOS or any other OS.

Any reduction in the data going to big tech is a good thing. Don’t worry, You’ll get there.

I have Sandboxed Google Services on my GOS for push notifications for Signal and Protonmail.

I use Freetube to watch Youtube videos.

I update a few apps through Aurora Store.

Otherwise, I’m Google free.

That takes me back. Been several years for me. Congratulations

I bookmark the Environment Canada page for my area. Weather warnings has been added to my RSS reader.

I’ve encrypted my external hard drives but I’ll have a look at the link. Much appreciated.

I don’t know enough about Linux to even start messing with the system. 🙂

Thanks for including resources on how to do all of that. /s

“carrier locked” does include Verizon phones.

It’s a good plan. OP needs to make sure the phone isn’t carrier locked.

I use Fedora Workstation. I do use the terminal, each morning I install my updates by typing “sudo dnf upgrade” and enter the password. When that is done I type “syncthing” to start that service. The rest of the day I don’t touch the terminal.

I could install the updates through the “software store” but terminal is faster and no reboot is required, afaik.

Once in a while I do update an app which is almost as easy. Download the rpm file (typically there is a link in the app that needs updating) open terminal, cd Downloads, ls, sudo dnf install “package name”, password, exit.

For context, I started on Linux last April. Previous “laptop” was an android tablet with a physical keyboard and mouse. I did buy a used Thinkpad and install Fedora myself which was very easy.

My 75 year old father, who isn’t a techie, can handle this. Your Window buds should be able to as well.

Yes it is. No AI results by default.

I know a Pixel isn’t available everywhere, some folks can’t afford them, and giving Google money just feels wrong but a Pixel with GrapheneOS will cut off both the USA and Chinese governments.

I hate AI being shoved into everything. I’ve been using https://noai.duckduckgo.com/ and am very happy with it.

If I’m zoomed in on my region the app should be searching that area first.

Street Complete is kinda fun to use. I tend to drive everywhere so I seldom get a chance to use it.

As someone who doesn’t leave locations services turned on all the time, I find both Co-map and Organic annoying. Each time I open the app they ask multiple times for me to turn on location services. If I’m searching in the for a store, I don’t need to know where I am. The only time I need to show my location is when setting a route.

For this reason, I continue to use OSMAnd. I do like the simple UI of Co-map and Organic but detest apps throwing unnecessary popups at me.

A vpn on a phone is useless if the other methods of location tracking aren’t dealt with.

That’s why it wouldn’t work for me - I never turn off my vpn. Syncthing works through a vpn so I use that.

I don’t have Local Send installed but if/when I do, I’ll check that. Thanks.