Riders of Rohan, What News from the Mark?
I was trying to think for a couple days on what can be done to make Linux phones a reality. Then I realized the EU is already pushing for more Open Source/ Linux to be used so why not make the most of it?
So if I may make a couple suggestions for Europe Linux enthusiasts and collectively all of us to push for:
1st. For EU and Europe to partner up with PostmarketOS, Mobian, Ubuntu Touch, Edited In: Next Iteration of GrapheneOS for their partnership, and FSF Librephone Project to fund/produce/distribute open source repairable changable OS linux phones . Then for future tablets. To have multiple eggs developing
2nd. For EU and Europe to partner up with KDE, Framework, and Tuxedo Computers to fund/produce/distribute Laptops/Computers
Edited In: 3rd. Partner up with OEM Manufacturers such as Nokia and Motorola. Both of whom have good track records
Linux Community over there has so much ability to grow Linux if everyone there collectively gets it done. I humbly request you do that and I’ll do the same. Who should I call to get all this going as well? Want to help do this in a way that benefits all sides while keeping those projects independent
(I would have posted this on LinuxPhone but this community is way bigger and still open source related)
Really hoping all of you in and out of Europe and EU can push for it to be done. Edited In: Maybe Latin, African, and Asian Countries can partner up as well to make it happen even faster. But the most protections are within the EU so far
“Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, You’re My Only Hope”
i’m all for linux phones, android becomes locked down by google, iOS is proprietary and dumbphones seem like an unnecessary burden if you wanna participate in society.
But i oppose the inclusion of any state in FOSS development. The EU is constantly pushing for chat control, Germany uses Palantir and ACTA was a thing. The EU could flip in the next election cycle and make backdoors mandatory or cut funding and cause the collapse of active development which relies on EU funding if their demands are not met.
But i’m no developer, i’m just an active user so i can’t have an informed opinion on that.
Governments do not have to be involved in projects to pass laws that impact them.
I would argue greater EU participation in FOSS would improve the situation. One, the number of people in the government that understand how FOSS works may increase and frankly ignorance is often the problem. Second, if lawmakers themselves or the things they care about rely on FOSS, they will be much less likely to kick the legs out from under it.
From a code perspective, the risk is low. If it is just that they add back doors (not because it is the law), we simply create versions without those back doors and use that instead.
I do not think that developers have any greater insight into social or legal issues than you do.