Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Edwin Humphries]

I thought SLUG was a technical group aimed at exchanging thoughts on, 
and getting help with problems in, Linux, not a political group aimed at 
the protection of freedom and liberty and the American way?


Regards,
Edwin Humphries


On 3/02/2012 2:30 PM, Zenaan Harkness wrote:

The most important app to me is that Libre app. Called Freedom or
something... not sure what others call it sometimes.

If you so insist on a self-centered reason: there's that big brouhaha
what, just December or something (can someone remember the name
please)? about that key-logging binary blob in the heart of _every_
iOS  _and_ android device?!!

Seriously, have we already forgotten?! At least with
Android/mostly-libre you can go and install your own OS, eg
Cyanogen-mod etc. By all means feel free to include that binary
blob...

What absolutely befuddles my mind, and so saddens my heart, is that
we, those who are supposedly somewhat "informed" in respect of the
computing world, don't remember such abominations to all decency, to
rights, to common sense, to respect and honour and integrity, barely a
month after it bloody happened!@! FFS!

Seems we really, actually, don't care. If it shiny, glossy, easy,
nice, we in soma happy place, yeah government look after me very well,
nice shiny gold cage I in with yummy swipe interface

Please note my very royal use of the word "we".

As RMS said so many years ago, am I prepared to sacrifice some (these
days such a very firetruckin little!) convenience, shiny-new-ness,
etc, to gain freedom? Am I prepared to do a little extra work, suffer
a little extra frustration, to get the kind of freedom my kids would
be proud of when the day comes they understand such things, and ask me
about why our world is the way it is?

D: Here's a present son...
S: How does it work dad?
D: Just download the source son, and check it out. Might take you a few days...
S: What can I do with it dad?
D: Whatever you are able to son, just don't stop the next guy from
doing what he wants too!

To echo so many before us - the only real protection of our freedom,
is the love/care/seeking of freedom by the people. That's us. That's
you. That's me.
Live your rights. Live freedom. Live it or lose it...

...or perhaps a greater "range of apps available for the OS" is what
it really comes down to, correct?

Zen


On 2012-02-03, Rod Butcher  wrote:

Thanks for all the feedback - Galaxy Nexus sounds like a contender. I
think it comes down to the range of apps available for the OS, correct ?
So are there important apps for IPHone and Windows Phone that Android
lacks or doesn't have apps that can provide equivalent functionality ?
Clunkiness doesn't bother me so long as the function is possible. Also,
are there any commonly-used file formats that Android apps struggle with ?
thanks
Rod
--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

<>-- 
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Edwin Humphries]

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has revealed that he prefers Google 
Android phones - at least for certain functions such as voice command.


'My primary phone is the iPhone,' said Wozniak. 'I love the beauty of 
it. But I wish it did all the things my Android does, I really do.'



Read more: 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2087731/Apple-founder-Steve-Wozniak-says-Android-phones-offer-iPhone.html#ixzz1lGGiQF2v


I think this says it all, right?:-)

NetSense Computers logoRegards,
Edwin Humphries
Mobile: 0419 233 051
NetSense Computers (Ironstone Technology Pty Ltd)
79 Barney St (P. O. Box 423), Kiama, NSW, 2533
Phone: +61 (0)2 4233 2285
Fax: +61 (0)2 4233 2781
Web: http://www.netsensecomputers.com.au

--
This email is intended for the named addressee/s only and may contain 
confidential or privileged information. If you are not a named addressee 
please delete it and notify the sender.

--

"/At every moment he beholdeth a wondrous world, a new creation, and 
goeth from astonishment to astonishment, and is lost in awe at the works 
of the Lord of Oneness./" Baha'u'llah, The Seven Valleys
"./.. humans are interesting. With all the wonders there are in the 
Universe, they invented boredom./" Terry Pratchet, Hogfather
"/The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is 
the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a 
stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as 
good as dead: his eyes are closed./" Albert Einstein
/"Stuff your eyes with wonder ... live as if you'd drop dead in ten 
seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid 
for in factories./" Ray Bradbury



On 2/02/2012 11:08 PM, Phil Manuel wrote:

I used to use pocketcast but sharing a link was forced via pocketcast

I currently use Google Reader, for the subscription to pocketcasts, 
and playback via Google Listen.


It's shame it has to be two apps.

On 2/02/12 10:08 PM, simran wrote:

some adhoc feedback... i have found that podcasts dont work as well on
android (especially "enhanced podcasts" - which i think are an apple
propritary thing anyway, surprise surprise!!! :)

i personally prefer android anyday, get the phone, root it (or not), and
you have way way way more control than you can hope to on an ios.

On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 8:42 PM, Rod 
Butcherwrote:



I need to have a smartphone as part of my job needs me to be be able to
use and be familiar with all the new social media&  communications 
tools.

Initial research indicates that Android-based phones have the highest
market share and are best value for money. And of course I like 
Linux. Are
there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with, 
which

other proprietary systems can ? Any serious comparison documents I can
study ?
thanks
Rod
--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: 
http://slug.org.au/faq/**mailinglists.html




<>-- 
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Voytek Eymont]

Tom Worthington  wrote:

>
>power, such as WiFi and GPS. Another option is to turn off the 3G and 
>use 2G if you are only making voice calls, as this uses less power.
>


On my phone, the '3G off use 2G' setting simply constraint data to edge/gprs 
transfer/speeds, when I wish to use for voice only, I just disable (all) data 
radios, rather than above, I use data enabler widget (or is it data disabler?) 
to toggle.

One thing that had been puzzling for me, how come I have a smart phone but I 
need to manually enable/disable data transfer, why can't data radio enable on 
demand? (and I don't use any background data, I've disabled whatever I could). 
Mind you, now that minimal data package offered exceeds what I use, being a 
data miser is becoming obsolete)

I'm currently using CM7 and faux123 1.45GHz overclocked kernel, toggling data 
doesn't have as big effect on power consumption add it did in the past, as 
observed on Battery Monitor Widget.
-- 
Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
-- 
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[David Lyon]

More to the point, everything these days comes with rules.

I don't blame Apple for taking all the 'free' software rolling it up, and
making
motza's by selling it debugged with a nice bitmap on hiding all the crud.

Then for hacking, nothing stops anyone hacking the devices. Except for
Sony. And its led to their products going out of favour.

If you really need to hack. Try www.hackaday.com

There's also a Sydney Hacking Space.

You don't need to feel left out.
-- 
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Rod Butcher]

On 02/04/12 12:32, James Linder wrote:

I do not think FOSS vx proprietary software is a moral issue, it is a fettish. 
Now if others care about your fettish then kewl, and if they are pragmatic in 
any form words of disapproval are discourteous.
"Sadly, people these days don't care ..."
ouch!
James--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

I learned many years ago that I would win no converts to my own personal 
fetish of vegetarianism by attacking them or even being mildly forceful 
- in fact, the opposite occurs - when people discover that I am a 
vegetarian indirectly without my adding any value judgment or opinion, 
many ask for more information such as benefits and even my views on 
associated morality. I can leave them to change their own minds if they 
choose.

Rod

--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[James Linder]

On 04/02/2012, at 7:01 AM, slug-requ...@slug.org.au wrote:

> You don't sound like a troll... just someone who has been around a long
> time and is used to doing it all themselves.
> 
> I think people do care... but there is a lot more specialisation now...
> it's like medicne an ENT specialist doesn't know much about the legs...
> but because he has specialised, he has furthered the research and solutions
> in ENT. Same in technology, people are specialists, and not everyone has to
> re-invent the wheel.
> 
> There are those that care, and those that care but are specialising in
> areas where they can't impact the OS level decision...
> 
> s.
> 
> On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 8:25 AM, Jeremy Visser  wrote:
> 
>> On 2/02/12 20:42, Rod Butcher wrote:
>>> Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with,
>>> which other proprietary systems can ?
>> 
>> Not really, all there are lots of things it can't do that an open system
>> can.
>> 
>> Like logging in as root. Or, y'know, compiling the whole OS from source.
>> 
>> Sadly, people these days don't care and this post will be ignored.
>> Amazingly enough, not even technical or otherwise FOSS–loving people
>> seem to care. Blah blah pragmatism blah blah works well enough. Nothing
>> about principles.
>> 
>> Wow, I sound like RMS. Or a troll–like version. Didn't think that day
>> would come.

I do not think FOSS vx proprietary software is a moral issue, it is a fettish. 
Now if others care about your fettish then kewl, and if they are pragmatic in 
any form words of disapproval are discourteous.
"Sadly, people these days don't care ..."
ouch!
James--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Patrick Elliott-Brennan]

Tom W wrote:

> ps: SLUGers will recall I demonstrated a Huawei Deuce U8520 Dual SIM
Android smart phone at a meeting in 2011. I have now handed it back to
Allphones and asked for my money back. This phone seems to be prone to
locking up, judging by my experience and that of others. This is a shame as
it has some good features:
http://blog.tomw.net.au/2011/09/huawei-deuce-u8520-dual-sim-android.html
>
That's a pity, Tom. I've seen a couple of dual SIM phones recently (can't
recall make/models at the moment) that you may want to explore. I'll try to
remember I read about them.

Regards,

Patrick
-- 
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Tom Worthington]

On 03/02/12 09:21, Marghanita da Cruz wrote:


... Given the issues with Battery life, seems there is some scope for tuning
either customised/personal/individual or across the op system. ...


Phones have plenty of options for turning off functions to save battery 
power, such as WiFi and GPS. Another option is to turn off the 3G and 
use 2G if you are only making voice calls, as this uses less power.


ps: SLUGers will recall I demonstrated a Huawei Deuce U8520 Dual SIM 
Android smart phone at a meeting in 2011. I have now handed it back to 
Allphones and asked for my money back. This phone seems to be prone to 
locking up, judging by my experience and that of others. This is a shame 
as it has some good features: 
http://blog.tomw.net.au/2011/09/huawei-deuce-u8520-dual-sim-android.html



--
Tom Worthington FACS CP, TomW Communications Pty Ltd. t: 0419496150
PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617, Australia  http://www.tomw.net.au
--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Ken Wilson]

Some people do care, not all.
Some people who cannot write code still care.
I have a G1 with Optus.
So this is at iphone 1 level of technology. How many of these are still 
around.

memory limited, cannot install many apps so have not explored them much.
Apps to SD works till card has problems, reformat, new card, reinstall, 
x3 then give up.
Processor speed limited, updated operating system several times, CM, but 
stopped as became too slow to work well.

Purchased GPS navigation program Syngic works with occasional crashes.
Gmail contacts is useful to get contacts in.
Medical applications like MIMS were ported to Iphone, so NSW health 
bought us all a subscription and stopped having paper based books to 
look up. It is also accessible on www on computers at work if the 
network is working at its usual snails pace. Most medical things appear 
on IOS, many never make it to other systems even as a purchase.
Heres hoping the increase in android sales may cause some suppliers to 
offer a group that can purchase what is useful to them,  on more than 1 
device OS.
I have noticed that where previously most doctors had iphones, a 
significant number have android now, and most are not into software 
freedom as something that would influence their purchasing decision. 
This has changed in the last 6 months.


Optus network is slow and geographically limited.

cheers
Ken

On 03/02/12 14:20, simran wrote:

Hey Jeremy,

You don't sound like a troll... just someone who has been around a long
time and is used to doing it all themselves.

I think people do care... but there is a lot more specialisation now...
it's like medicne an ENT specialist doesn't know much about the legs...
but because he has specialised, he has furthered the research and solutions
in ENT. Same in technology, people are specialists, and not everyone has to
re-invent the wheel.

There are those that care, and those that care but are specialising in
areas where they can't impact the OS level decision...

s.

On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 8:25 AM, Jeremy Visser  wrote:


On 2/02/12 20:42, Rod Butcher wrote:

Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with,
which other proprietary systems can ?


Not really, all there are lots of things it can't do that an open system
can.

Like logging in as root. Or, y'know, compiling the whole OS from source.

Sadly, people these days don't care and this post will be ignored.
Amazingly enough, not even technical or otherwise FOSS–loving people
seem to care. Blah blah pragmatism blah blah works well enough. Nothing
about principles.

Wow, I sound like RMS. Or a troll–like version. Didn't think that day
would come.


--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html


--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Zenaan Harkness]

Open source is a good start. Apple is very much closed, as in closed
source, as well as being extremely proprietary. This includes Apple's
iOS and all i* products, eg iPhone, iPad, iPod, etc.

In case it was unclear: iOS is CLOSED SOURCE. It is clearer to call it
Proprietary.

Availability of source code, is a prerequisite to free as in freedom
ie. libre computing.

Microsoft makes some software available as Open Source, whilst that
very software (open source as it is) is yet still Proprietary
Software. Be careful out there. You might taint your mind and be
forever thereafter beholden to Microsoft patents and licenses, by
accepting/ working on, certain Microsoft "Open Source" products.

Microsoft likes and appreciates that there is confusion around the
difference between Libre (free as in freedom) software and Open Source
(could be libre, could be entirely proprietary) software.

In the long term, for freedom aka liberty, it pays to educate yourself.

You are with freedom to name my strong pro-freedom stand, my
advocating for freedom, and my humble attempts at educating those
confused of the difference between liberty and "open source", as "holy
war".

You are similarly free to seek to position a stand for liberty as
worthy of being considered "main stream" or "conservative", and to
avoid casting such a position as "radical" and slurred with the
innuendo of ethnic-cleansing "holy wars".

You are with freedom to not participate in advocating for our human
rights, to not stand for honour, decency, intelligence and dignity.

You are free to limit your activities to the pursuit of having "a
smartphone that can do most things and is open-source without
participating in [any of these] holy wars".

May the source be available to you.

May freedom be with your children's children.

Zen


On 2012-02-03, Rod Butcher  wrote:
> I'm not at the cutting edge, I just need to have a smartphone that can
> do most things and is open-source without participating in holy wars.
> Can you clarify your comments ?
> thanks
> Rod
> On 02/03/12 14:30, Zenaan Harkness wrote:
>> The most important app to me is that Libre app. Called Freedom or
>> something... not sure what others call it sometimes.
>>
>> If you so insist on a self-centered reason: there's that big brouhaha
>> what, just December or something (can someone remember the name
>> please)? about that key-logging binary blob in the heart of _every_
>> iOS  _and_ android device?!!
>>
>> Seriously, have we already forgotten?! At least with
>> Android/mostly-libre you can go and install your own OS, eg
>> Cyanogen-mod etc. By all means feel free to include that binary
>> blob...
>>
>> What absolutely befuddles my mind, and so saddens my heart, is that
>> we, those who are supposedly somewhat "informed" in respect of the
>> computing world, don't remember such abominations to all decency, to
>> rights, to common sense, to respect and honour and integrity, barely a
>> month after it bloody happened!@! FFS!
>>
>> Seems we really, actually, don't care. If it shiny, glossy, easy,
>> nice, we in soma happy place, yeah government look after me very well,
>> nice shiny gold cage I in with yummy swipe interface
>>
>> Please note my very royal use of the word "we".
>>
>> As RMS said so many years ago, am I prepared to sacrifice some (these
>> days such a very firetruckin little!) convenience, shiny-new-ness,
>> etc, to gain freedom? Am I prepared to do a little extra work, suffer
>> a little extra frustration, to get the kind of freedom my kids would
>> be proud of when the day comes they understand such things, and ask me
>> about why our world is the way it is?
>>
>> D: Here's a present son...
>> S: How does it work dad?
>> D: Just download the source son, and check it out. Might take you a few
>> days...
>> S: What can I do with it dad?
>> D: Whatever you are able to son, just don't stop the next guy from
>> doing what he wants too!
>>
>> To echo so many before us - the only real protection of our freedom,
>> is the love/care/seeking of freedom by the people. That's us. That's
>> you. That's me.
>> Live your rights. Live freedom. Live it or lose it...
>>
>> ...or perhaps a greater "range of apps available for the OS" is what
>> it really comes down to, correct?
>>
>> Zen
>>
>>
>> On 2012-02-03, Rod Butcher  wrote:
>>> Thanks for all the feedback - Galaxy Nexus sounds like a contender. I
>>> think it comes down to the range of apps available for the OS, correct ?
>>> So are there important apps for IPHone and Windows Phone that Android
>>> lacks or doesn't have apps that can provide equivalent functionality ?
>>> Clunkiness doesn't bother me so long as the function is possible. Also,
>>> are there any commonly-used file formats that Android apps struggle with
>>> ?
>>> thanks
>>> Rod
>>> --
>>> SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
>>> Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
>>>
>>
>
>
-- 
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group M

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Rod Butcher]

I'm not at the cutting edge, I just need to have a smartphone that can 
do most things and is open-source without participating in holy wars. 
Can you clarify your comments ?

thanks
Rod
On 02/03/12 14:30, Zenaan Harkness wrote:

The most important app to me is that Libre app. Called Freedom or
something... not sure what others call it sometimes.

If you so insist on a self-centered reason: there's that big brouhaha
what, just December or something (can someone remember the name
please)? about that key-logging binary blob in the heart of _every_
iOS  _and_ android device?!!

Seriously, have we already forgotten?! At least with
Android/mostly-libre you can go and install your own OS, eg
Cyanogen-mod etc. By all means feel free to include that binary
blob...

What absolutely befuddles my mind, and so saddens my heart, is that
we, those who are supposedly somewhat "informed" in respect of the
computing world, don't remember such abominations to all decency, to
rights, to common sense, to respect and honour and integrity, barely a
month after it bloody happened!@! FFS!

Seems we really, actually, don't care. If it shiny, glossy, easy,
nice, we in soma happy place, yeah government look after me very well,
nice shiny gold cage I in with yummy swipe interface

Please note my very royal use of the word "we".

As RMS said so many years ago, am I prepared to sacrifice some (these
days such a very firetruckin little!) convenience, shiny-new-ness,
etc, to gain freedom? Am I prepared to do a little extra work, suffer
a little extra frustration, to get the kind of freedom my kids would
be proud of when the day comes they understand such things, and ask me
about why our world is the way it is?

D: Here's a present son...
S: How does it work dad?
D: Just download the source son, and check it out. Might take you a few days...
S: What can I do with it dad?
D: Whatever you are able to son, just don't stop the next guy from
doing what he wants too!

To echo so many before us - the only real protection of our freedom,
is the love/care/seeking of freedom by the people. That's us. That's
you. That's me.
Live your rights. Live freedom. Live it or lose it...

...or perhaps a greater "range of apps available for the OS" is what
it really comes down to, correct?

Zen


On 2012-02-03, Rod Butcher  wrote:

Thanks for all the feedback - Galaxy Nexus sounds like a contender. I
think it comes down to the range of apps available for the OS, correct ?
So are there important apps for IPHone and Windows Phone that Android
lacks or doesn't have apps that can provide equivalent functionality ?
Clunkiness doesn't bother me so long as the function is possible. Also,
are there any commonly-used file formats that Android apps struggle with ?
thanks
Rod
--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html





--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Zenaan Harkness]

The most important app to me is that Libre app. Called Freedom or
something... not sure what others call it sometimes.

If you so insist on a self-centered reason: there's that big brouhaha
what, just December or something (can someone remember the name
please)? about that key-logging binary blob in the heart of _every_
iOS  _and_ android device?!!

Seriously, have we already forgotten?! At least with
Android/mostly-libre you can go and install your own OS, eg
Cyanogen-mod etc. By all means feel free to include that binary
blob...

What absolutely befuddles my mind, and so saddens my heart, is that
we, those who are supposedly somewhat "informed" in respect of the
computing world, don't remember such abominations to all decency, to
rights, to common sense, to respect and honour and integrity, barely a
month after it bloody happened!@! FFS!

Seems we really, actually, don't care. If it shiny, glossy, easy,
nice, we in soma happy place, yeah government look after me very well,
nice shiny gold cage I in with yummy swipe interface

Please note my very royal use of the word "we".

As RMS said so many years ago, am I prepared to sacrifice some (these
days such a very firetruckin little!) convenience, shiny-new-ness,
etc, to gain freedom? Am I prepared to do a little extra work, suffer
a little extra frustration, to get the kind of freedom my kids would
be proud of when the day comes they understand such things, and ask me
about why our world is the way it is?

D: Here's a present son...
S: How does it work dad?
D: Just download the source son, and check it out. Might take you a few days...
S: What can I do with it dad?
D: Whatever you are able to son, just don't stop the next guy from
doing what he wants too!

To echo so many before us - the only real protection of our freedom,
is the love/care/seeking of freedom by the people. That's us. That's
you. That's me.
Live your rights. Live freedom. Live it or lose it...

...or perhaps a greater "range of apps available for the OS" is what
it really comes down to, correct?

Zen


On 2012-02-03, Rod Butcher  wrote:
> Thanks for all the feedback - Galaxy Nexus sounds like a contender. I
> think it comes down to the range of apps available for the OS, correct ?
> So are there important apps for IPHone and Windows Phone that Android
> lacks or doesn't have apps that can provide equivalent functionality ?
> Clunkiness doesn't bother me so long as the function is possible. Also,
> are there any commonly-used file formats that Android apps struggle with ?
> thanks
> Rod
> --
> SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
> Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
>
-- 
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[simran]

Hey Jeremy,

You don't sound like a troll... just someone who has been around a long
time and is used to doing it all themselves.

I think people do care... but there is a lot more specialisation now...
it's like medicne an ENT specialist doesn't know much about the legs...
but because he has specialised, he has furthered the research and solutions
in ENT. Same in technology, people are specialists, and not everyone has to
re-invent the wheel.

There are those that care, and those that care but are specialising in
areas where they can't impact the OS level decision...

s.

On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 8:25 AM, Jeremy Visser  wrote:

> On 2/02/12 20:42, Rod Butcher wrote:
> > Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with,
> > which other proprietary systems can ?
>
> Not really, all there are lots of things it can't do that an open system
> can.
>
> Like logging in as root. Or, y'know, compiling the whole OS from source.
>
> Sadly, people these days don't care and this post will be ignored.
> Amazingly enough, not even technical or otherwise FOSS–loving people
> seem to care. Blah blah pragmatism blah blah works well enough. Nothing
> about principles.
>
> Wow, I sound like RMS. Or a troll–like version. Didn't think that day
> would come.
>
>
> --
> SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
> Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
>
--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Rod Butcher]

Thanks for all the feedback - Galaxy Nexus sounds like a contender. I 
think it comes down to the range of apps available for the OS, correct ? 
So are there important apps for IPHone and Windows Phone that Android 
lacks or doesn't have apps that can provide equivalent functionality ? 
Clunkiness doesn't bother me so long as the function is possible. Also, 
are there any commonly-used file formats that Android apps struggle with ?

thanks
Rod
--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Voytek Eymont]

On Fri, February 3, 2012 10:24 am, Voytek Eymont wrote:

> phone is OK, (but Gorilla Glass is no much for roadside gravel)

oops, 'match'

oh, yes, and, in spite of my prior moanings here, SIP VOIP over 3G now
works on my phone, seems my issues were phone/Motorola releated rather
than anything else


-- 
Voytek

-- 
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Voytek Eymont]

On Fri, February 3, 2012 10:02 am, Jake Anderson wrote:

>> Thinking out loud, has anyone played with 4G(LTE) or dual/band
>> smartphones - do such things exist?
>>
> I played with a HTC 4G device at a telstra shop yesterday in penrith,
> speedtest gave me 20mbit down and 3mbit up. ping was 82ms. looking through

fwiw, my best ever on 3g Moto, Sydney metro, evening time:
8.3 down, 3.2 up, 70 ms




-- 
Voytek

-- 
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Voytek Eymont]

On Thu, February 2, 2012 10:30 pm, Ken Foskey wrote:
> I owned an IPhone for a number of years and recently got a android galaxy
>  II.

I got my very first 'smart' phone about 6 month ago, Android, never had or
used iPhone or any other 'smart' phone prior

like my phone, Blur was OK, CM7 is good (probably better ?)

> First comment is that they are all slippery suckers.   16 year old has
> destroyed a number of phones just by dropping them out of his pockets.

yes, dropped my Moto from shallow pocket on 2nd day grrr

phone is OK, (but Gorilla Glass is no much for roadside gravel)

(only scored two or three minute gravel rashes on screen g...)

> Deep pockets are a must (that is literal)


if anyone cared to ask me what to get, if the person was into technical
things, I'd say get Android, if that person was not, I'd say get iPhone


> Android negatives.

on the positives: Swype I find good, better than Graffiti


> email is not as friendly.

I find K9 good

> Still have not figured out cut and paste.

when I first got phone, with Android... 2.2 ? prior to GB, yes, I couldn't
really figure c'n'p, that sort of stuff was pretty poor, IMHO

luckily for me, shortly after I got the phone, 2.3 ? or something ? came
out, few things, (like categories on desktop) and c'n'p got fixed

compared to my Palm, initially, I was quite dissapointed with quite a few
aspects, with the GB update, most of that was fixed

ymmv


-- 
Voytek

-- 
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Voytek Eymont]

On Fri, February 3, 2012 9:21 am, Marghanita da Cruz wrote:

> Given the issues with Battery life, seems there is some scope for tuning
> either customised/personal/individual or across the op system. I expect,
> things like the WiFi are hungry and even leaving the OS running, while
> you wait for a phone call.

on the subject of battery life, I have been making some semi-scientific
(but not really) attempts at assessing battery life on my Motorola;

GPS on or off, WiFi on or off, BT  on or off makes very little difference
to battery, insignificant with my phone/usage.

3G radio **used** to make HUGE battery drain, in the past, with 3G ON, my
phone wouldn't last whole day (but I'm not sure whether I was on
MotoBlur.. or not..)

after loading CM7 Ba2TF, and, now, CM7 weeklies, my battery life is pretty
good, with 3G off, I get two+ days on single charge

when I 1st started obesrving battery discharge slope, enabling 3G made a
huge difference, at some point, with either CM7 Ba2TF or a weekly, 3G
radio ON made very small, just observable change in discharge slope, I was
able to leave 3G ON all day

(I'm currently out of data allowance, as soon as I get more, I'll re-test
usage with 3G radio ON)

another obseravtion:
HTC DesireHD:
initally, out of battery before day was over,
since latest s/w updates (just few weeks ago), all 'on', still on 50% by 8pm

fwiw, there is a nifty (y5 ?) utility that enables/disables WiFi based on
your location, for power saving, idea is great, in my expeirience, battery
drain for WiFi is si minimal, I don't use it)

for 3G, I use a data enabler widget to toggle as needed, though it seems
latest s/w build might make that need almost obsolete

as always, ymmv

-- 
Voytek

-- 
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Jake Anderson]

On 02/03/2012 09:21 AM, Marghanita da Cruz wrote:


Thinking out loud, has anyone played with 4G(LTE) or dual/band 
smartphones

- do such things exist?

I played with a HTC 4G device at a telstra shop yesterday in penrith,
speedtest gave me 20mbit down and 3mbit up.
ping was 82ms.
looking through the history of all the other times the phone had run 
speed test (and it was ALOT, thing was front of store with a speed test 
icon on the home screen)
worst result was 5mbit, most common was 15+ ping was always in the 
80-100 range.




With regard to coverage - I have used Virgin/Optus Broadband (3G) for 
a few
years (ever since the I-Burst Wireless Network was shut down) and 
Vodaphone
(2G) mobile telephone since 1996 - their coverage has improved over 
the years.

My missus's mother lives in Bega and uses virgin Internet via 3g dongle.
I was doing some manipulations of her mythtv box a few days ago and 
virgin kills the connection after a few minutes with no data so I 
started to ping it.

3938 packets transmitted, 3804 received, 3% packet loss, time 3940409ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 116.925/2825.981/46904.876/6009.332 ms, pipe 47

That's right, max ping of 46 seconds, and an average of ~3.
These results are typical for her Internet connection.

I use virgin on my phone and it doesn't seem to suck that badly, though 
if you try to run VoIP over it you generally have about a 30 second delay.





Telstra has better coverage eg west coast of Tasmania - actually most of
Tasmania except Launceston and Hobart and probably the highway between 
the

two. I haven't done a pricing check recently, but Telstra was also more
expensive. So, it is a balance, whether you share the cost with more
customers or pay for more exclusive access.
I'm thinking of moving to telstra for my mobile (i want a galaxy note), 
and their 3G internet plans have really come down in price, mother in 
law can now get internet off telstra cheaper than the current plan she 
is on with virgin.

--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Troy Rollo]

On Friday 03 February 2012 08:25:40 Jeremy Visser wrote:
> Sadly, people these days don't care and this post will be ignored.
> Amazingly enough, not even technical or otherwise FOSS–loving people
> seem to care. Blah blah pragmatism blah blah works well enough. Nothing
> about principles.

Some of us care. Those who care currently have Nokia N9s, which is the most 
open phone (straight out of the box) on the market. It's a real Linux (not 
Android), with apps written in C++. If you switch on development mode (it's an 
option in the settings) you can even get a terminal window, or SSH in, and 
become root (no hacks required).

The only drawbacks are that development of the ecosystem is somewhat terminal 
given that the vendor has moved it to maintenance mode in favour of an OS from 
the Western United States, and that it has Aegis FS, so root cannot 
necessarily access all files.

It's also pretty, which is one of the reasons my daughter got one.

Regards, 
Troy Rollo 
Solicitor 
Parry Carroll 
Commercial Lawyers 
Direct: (02) 8257 3177 
Fax: (02) 9221 1375 
Switch: (02) 9221 3899 
E-mail: t...@parrycarroll.com.au 
Web: www.parrycarroll.com.au 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards 
Legislation 

This message and any attachments are confidential to Parry Carroll. If you 
have received it by mistake, please let us know by reply and then delete it 
from your system. You must not copy the message, alter it or disclose its 
contents to anyone. Thank you.


--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Marghanita da Cruz]

Jeremy Visser wrote:

On 2/02/12 20:42, Rod Butcher wrote:

Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with,
which other proprietary systems can ?


Not really, all there are lots of things it can't do that an open system
can.

Like logging in as root. Or, y'know, compiling the whole OS from source.



Given the issues with Battery life, seems there is some scope for tuning
either customised/personal/individual or across the op system. I expect,
things like the WiFi are hungry and even leaving the OS running, while you
wait for a phone call.

I expect another thing to consider is Chrome/Google Docs on Android vs
Safari/Dropbox(Apple's offering???) on IPAD. Any comments?

Thinking out loud, has anyone played with 4G(LTE) or dual/band smartphones
- do such things exist?

With regard to coverage - I have used Virgin/Optus Broadband (3G) for a few
years (ever since the I-Burst Wireless Network was shut down) and Vodaphone
(2G) mobile telephone since 1996 - their coverage has improved over the years.

Telstra has better coverage eg west coast of Tasmania - actually most of
Tasmania except Launceston and Hobart and probably the highway between the
two. I haven't done a pricing check recently, but Telstra was also more
expensive. So, it is a balance, whether you share the cost with more
customers or pay for more exclusive access.

Marghanita
--
Marghanita da Cruz
Ramin Communications (Sydney)
Website: http://ramin.com.au
Phone:(+612) 0414-869202














--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Jeremy Visser]

On 2/02/12 20:42, Rod Butcher wrote:
> Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with,
> which other proprietary systems can ?

Not really, all there are lots of things it can't do that an open system
can.

Like logging in as root. Or, y'know, compiling the whole OS from source.

Sadly, people these days don't care and this post will be ignored.
Amazingly enough, not even technical or otherwise FOSS–loving people
seem to care. Blah blah pragmatism blah blah works well enough. Nothing
about principles.

Wow, I sound like RMS. Or a troll–like version. Didn't think that day
would come.



signature.asc
Description: OpenPGP digital signature
-- 
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Phil Manuel]

I used to use pocketcast but sharing a link was forced via pocketcast

I currently use Google Reader, for the subscription to pocketcasts, and 
playback via Google Listen.


It's shame it has to be two apps.

On 2/02/12 10:08 PM, simran wrote:

some adhoc feedback... i have found that podcasts dont work as well on
android (especially "enhanced podcasts" - which i think are an apple
propritary thing anyway, surprise surprise!!! :)

i personally prefer android anyday, get the phone, root it (or not), and
you have way way way more control than you can hope to on an ios.

On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 8:42 PM, Rod Butcherwrote:


I need to have a smartphone as part of my job needs me to be be able to
use and be familiar with all the new social media&  communications tools.
Initial research indicates that Android-based phones have the highest
market share and are best value for money. And of course I like Linux. Are
there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with, which
other proprietary systems can ? Any serious comparison documents I can
study ?
thanks
Rod
--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: 
http://slug.org.au/faq/**mailinglists.html



--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Ken Foskey]

I owned an IPhone for a number of years and recently got a android galaxy 
II.


First comment is that they are all slippery suckers.   16 year old has 
destroyed a number of phones just by dropping them out of his pockets. 
Deep pockets are a must (that is literal).  Look after them and don't drop 
them.   I drowned one and apple replaced it for a reasonably cheap fee 
($250 at the genius bar)  a definite plus.


The iPhone has some great features however over a period of time the 
software burdens your phone and it simply stops working because it is 
overloaded.   Call pick up does not work at times (iPhone 4 the same)


When I bought the iPhone I thought laptop tethering would save me a 3g 
modem,  I unfortunately went with Optus who charge to allow access,  I have 
since moved to Virgin that does not.  So read your plan.  also look at the 
chunks they charge in,  virgin charges in small increments,  others charge 
for a large chunk even though you use a small one.


It is definite that Telstra has the best coverage,  Optus (hence a few 
others like virgin) are OK and Vodafone is the worst.For example 
Heathcote to the city on the train with Optus internet does not work about 
50% of the time,  especially around Oatley station.   So make sure you have 
good 3g coverage at work and at home.


Wifi is essential, my iPhone 3gs just stopped connecting,  heard the same 
problem from a number of other people as well.   Upgrading apps on Wifi and 
searching is so quick.


I also decided the camera was important,  your needs may vary but I never 
have the camera when I need it.   Flash and a good pixel size is important, 
8+ depending on what you want.


Screen,  the larger the better  the galaxy SII is huge, so you better have 
big pockets.  The screen is crisp but battery is terrible.   I installed a 
juice defender and it is now far better.   I find the screen on the galaxy 
better than the iPhone.   Read a document with small text to compare.


Android negatives.

Calling seems more cumbersome than the iPhone. Android favourite is a 
name you then have to pick a phone number,   IPhone is a number that just 
dials.


You seem to be left alone a bit when you are setting up your phone,   iPhone 
seems to be better documented / easier.  For example how do you get spell 
correct to work?


Samsung KIA did not install on Windows XP,  worked on Windows 7.   So the 
setup utilities are not as good.  ITunes is much easier to drive than KIA. 
Notice that most people hate KIA,   not surprised.


email is not as friendly.   Changing password on exchange account is not 
automatic like it should be.   Reading the internet other mail clients are 
better, not bothered yet.   Mail purges off when you pull all your mail on 
your desktop,  so it is harder to keep those notes for later.


Still have not figured out cut and paste.



Overall I am very happy to have switched and I love the big screen and can 
put up with the bad battery life.


Ken

-Original Message- 
From: Rod Butcher

Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 8:42 PM
To: slug@slug.org.au
Subject: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

I need to have a smartphone as part of my job needs me to be be able to
use and be familiar with all the new social media & communications
tools. Initial research indicates that Android-based phones have the
highest market share and are best value for money. And of course I like
Linux. Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface
with, which other proprietary systems can ? Any serious comparison
documents I can study ?
thanks
Rod
--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[simran]

some adhoc feedback... i have found that podcasts dont work as well on
android (especially "enhanced podcasts" - which i think are an apple
propritary thing anyway, surprise surprise!!! :)

i personally prefer android anyday, get the phone, root it (or not), and
you have way way way more control than you can hope to on an ios.

On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 8:42 PM, Rod Butcher wrote:

> I need to have a smartphone as part of my job needs me to be be able to
> use and be familiar with all the new social media & communications tools.
> Initial research indicates that Android-based phones have the highest
> market share and are best value for money. And of course I like Linux. Are
> there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with, which
> other proprietary systems can ? Any serious comparison documents I can
> study ?
> thanks
> Rod
> --
> SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
> Subscription info and FAQs: 
> http://slug.org.au/faq/**mailinglists.html
>
-- 
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html

[SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Rod Butcher]

I need to have a smartphone as part of my job needs me to be be able to 
use and be familiar with all the new social media & communications 
tools. Initial research indicates that Android-based phones have the 
highest market share and are best value for money. And of course I like 
Linux. Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface 
with, which other proprietary systems can ? Any serious comparison 
documents I can study ?

thanks
Rod
--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html