this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2024
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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:

  • Use earpiece that's connected via Bluetooth, have narrator software read out notifications (notifications from Microsoft Teams, Thunderbird, etc.)

  • 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.

  • Forward all notifications from Teams to my email, so that I'm not relying on the web-based version to be open.

  • 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!

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[–] theshatterstone54@feddit.uk 32 points 10 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] gnutard@sh.itjust.works 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

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.

[–] delirious_owl@discuss.online 15 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

How do I use a laptop for navigation when walking around the city?

[–] utopiah@lemmy.ml 6 points 10 months ago

A map, like a printed map that most touristic office give away for free? Same for public transport?

[–] Jumuta@sh.itjust.works 3 points 10 months ago

kde marble and a wwan card

[–] eugenia@lemmy.ml 14 points 10 months ago (1 children)

If you're trying a less "smart" phone experience, just buy a dumb phone. They still exist. Phones are needed for emergencies.

[–] gnutard@sh.itjust.works 0 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Unfortunately, the flip phone route for doing daily calls/texts won't work because I use multiple phone numbers, and those phones have proprietary operating systems/firmware. Though, I still keep one in a Faraday bag if needed for emergencies.

[–] lolcatnip@reddthat.com 11 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I know a guy who doesn't have a phone. Trying to get in touch with him is a PITA.

[–] delirious_owl@discuss.online 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] lolcatnip@reddthat.com 4 points 10 months ago

You can get in touch with him eventually, but not for anything urgent. For example, I had to rescue his mom when she lost her car key because she couldn't get in touch with him to help her.

[–] mesamunefire@lemmy.world 10 points 10 months ago (1 children)

How did you get pigeon to make calls/texts?

[–] gnutard@sh.itjust.works 8 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

I signed into my JMP.chat account via XMPP on Pidgin. I can make calls and texts just fine.

Edit: Pidgin (installed from Trisquel repos) can be used for texting, but as of right now, calling seems to be bugged. I'm currently using Dino (installed from Trisquel repos), both calling/texting work fine on there.

[–] mesamunefire@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago
[–] BaroqueInMind@lemmy.ml 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

What will you do if that domain goes down, blocks you, or simply disappears?

[–] gnutard@sh.itjust.works 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Not sure. Do you have any suggestions? I have my own domain name and VPS, I could possibly self-host. (Currently, I'm using snikket.chat)

[–] Asudox@lemmy.world 8 points 10 months ago

No, not at all. They both are made for different purposes.

[–] delirious_owl@discuss.online 6 points 10 months ago (1 children)

O wise teacher, are you able to get OTPs for services that require phone numbers with this solution?

I have a phone but no SIM, and I can't use a lot of the Internet because soooo many services require a phone number. How much do you pay for this per year?

[–] gnutard@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

Yes. I have multiple accounts attached to my phone number and I'm able to receive OTPs from all of them (banking, shopping, etc.)

I use my carrier (e.g. Verizon) for service, and pay jmp.chat $5/month for my phone number.

[–] delirious_owl@discuss.online 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Huh, their front page says their service doesn't support SMS?

[–] gnutard@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago

It says this on their front-page:

"Note: While JMP does provide phone numbers and voice/SMS features, it does not provide 911, 112, 999 or other emergency services over voice or SMS."

[–] delirious_owl@discuss.online 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I don't understand why you pay Verizon. Would it work over WiFi?

[–] gnutard@sh.itjust.works 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I meant Verizon for service on my phone and then have JMP.chat number for making calls/text. I don't use the phone number that's given from Verizon, I use the JMP.chat number instead. <---- This is my setup for my phone, not my laptop. JMP.chat works just fine over WiFi. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

For getting service on my laptop though, I use a USB modem that's connected to my LibreCMC router. I travel around with the router/modem in my backpack. The LibreCMC router doesn't need an outlet, it can be turned on by connecting it via USB to my laptop.

[–] namingthingsiseasy@programming.dev 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I don't have any suggestions, but this is incredibly impressive. I haven't heard of jmp.chat before, but it sounds like you can create multiple identities using different phone numbers - is that correct?

If so, that sounds amazing. I really hate how the modern world is trying to force people into a singular identity online, and the way that they're using phone numbers to do it. This sounds like it could be a pretty decent method to avoid that.

[–] gnutard@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Yes, you can create multiple accounts and get all text/call notifications in one app. I recommend you use the Cheogram app for phone or Dino-IM for PC.

[–] boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net 5 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

No, not suitable at all. I would be more interested in using my phone with GrapheneOS as only device.

But:

  • mail filters work fine with my provider, not in K-9mail (fair-email gives me anxiety)
  • office stuff just sucks, Collabora is as big as Libreoffice but no GUI options
  • MPV is very barebones and VLC very far behind on updates
  • missing GIMP
  • missing PDF editing
  • missing video or audio editing
  • missing code editing
  • missing commandline stuff
  • no qbittorrent, Aria2 works but only for leeching, BiglyBT works but has a weird UI and restricted features
  • no browser with tab groups, containers, security, etc.

But for a ton of other stuff a phone works very well

  • obvious one: small form factor
  • uses very little battery, awesome standby battery consumption
  • camera, audio, video recording
  • media consumption
    • offline (MPV, Gallery apps (why is this not a thing on desktops?), music players, antennapod)
    • online: grayjay, soundbound, antennapod, rimusic, ...
  • messaging (simplex, signal, element, briar, ...)
  • slight image editing (snapseed)
  • image compression (signal, save before sending, exit)
  • video cutting (signal, save before sending)
  • writing markdown (markor, acode)
  • weather
  • webapps
  • social media (jerboah, fedilab, ...)
  • navigating (there is no OSMAnd alternative on Linux)

In many areas there are way more apps for android, in many others way less.

[–] chemicalprophet@lemm.ee 3 points 10 months ago

I have a friend who’s never gotten a cell phone. Computer science PhD candidate. At this point I think he’s avoided it as we seem to be coming out the other side. He rocks a MacBook pro and uses Google voice. It’s possible…

[–] friend_of_satan@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

I did this when traveling internationally in 2009. I used Skype-in to forward my USA phone number to my Skype account, but I think I made like 3 phone calls. I only used WiFi at cafes and hotels, no mobile internet service. Phones are overrated. Being offline is great.

[–] JoMiran@lemmy.ml 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I have "mained" a Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme running Pop!_OS for over two years now. I run a company and interact with clients all the time, so I'm not just browsing PornHub all day. My Thinkpad has not let me down yet.

I have a Mac for my music production and graphic design hobbies, but only because I own software for it that only supports Mac or Windows. That said, I rarely use it since Bitwig and Renoise run on Linux. I'll only boot the Mac if I need some plug-in or Abelton. All that's happened is that I have slowly started to gravitate towards DAW-less production.

[–] boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

How does DAW-less production work? No editing?

[–] JoMiran@lemmy.ml 2 points 10 months ago

Old school. You do all your work on hardware sequencers, trackers, drum machines, synths, etc.