I’ve been trying to get rid of my cellphone for awhile now. I switched to JMP.chat, I have Pidgin set up to make calls/texts, etc.
I use Trisquel GNU/Linux on my Libreboot laptop, my boss is fine with it.
My strategy looks something like this:
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Use earpiece that’s connected via Bluetooth, have narrator software read out notifications (notifications from Microsoft Teams, Thunderbird, etc.)
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Put laptop into sleep mode, maybe use a script to put it into a special sleep mode to make sure I’m connected to WiFi while walking around warehouse so I can receive calls/texts timely.
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Forward all notifications from Teams to my email, so that I’m not relying on the web-based version to be open.
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For travel on the road, I have a USB modem that’s connected to my LibreCMC router. I also have my laptop set up in my car on a stand.
Any suggestions?
TIA!
may I ask why? Different hardware is designed for different tasks, and using even a Linux phone will beat out most laptops for energy efficiency to make the same call using the same apps
I’m only using hardware that allows the Intel Management Engine to be fully disabled (e.g., ThinkPad X200, T400, etc.).
The PinePhone seems nice, but its firmware cannot be freed to the same extent as that of one of the older ThinkPads.
The reason why is because I want to escape from non-free software.
How about Purism Librem 5?
PS: I do have a PinePhone and PinePhone Pro, used both with a USB-C adapter to have screen, mouse and keyboard and was a quite convenient solution but I understand that some of the firmware limitations might go against your goal. I hope they’ll be fully open if they do a newer model.
I was just about to say: “Yeah, I don’t need a desktop” and then I read what you said. I can see myself going to a “dumbphone” aka a phone-only phone, but this is a bit too much for me tbh.
Unfortunately, I can’t go that route. I use many different phone numbers through Pidgin, so I don’t think the flip phone would do.
It is convient, but I’m trying to avoid using proprietary software as much as possible. Those phones tend to use proprietary operating systems. Thanks for the suggestion though!
How do I use a laptop for navigation when walking around the city?
If you’re trying a less “smart” phone experience, just buy a dumb phone. They still exist. Phones are needed for emergencies.
I know a guy who doesn’t have a phone. Trying to get in touch with him is a PITA.
